IN recent years, Zul Ariffin and Ayda Jebat have been synonymous with popular TV couples.
The stars of 2015 romantic comedy Rindu Awak 200% saw their hit series bag Choice Drama in Anugerah Drama Festival Kuala Lumpur or Anugerah DFKL then.
This year, Zul and Ayda have won big in Anugerah DFKL again, in separate dramas about second chances.
Dekatkan Jarak Kita, directed by Azman “Jinggo” Yahya, won Choice Drama and earned Ayda her first Choice Screen Couple win, shared with Syafiq Kyle.
Zul emerged Choice Actor for Titian Cinta, directed by Heykal Hanifah. This drama took three other awards — Choice Director (Heykal), Choice Screenwriter (Farhana Fauri) and Choice Theme Song (Sumpah Cintaku by Asfan Shah).
“In 2015, I only won Choice Ensemble for Rindu. Now I’ve an award that specifically mentions my name!” said an elated Ayda at the awards ceremony in Putrajaya International Convention Centre last Sunday.
“I greatly enjoyed co-starring with Zul because he guided me as a first-timer and cheered me up with his humour. With his help, I’ve been able to create chemistry with Syafiq, who is just as friendly and passionate.”
Ayda revealed that Azman toned down overtly romantic scenes between her and Syafiq, and the co-stars seldom held hands or embraced in the series.
“We had to rely on eye contact to express our love for each other. I like this approach, because too much body contact generates brickbats from viewers.”
Explaining the gist of her drama, Ayda said it is based on a novel by Syu Ariani and sees her play two different characters, Sofiya and Alyssa.
“Sofiya is dying of cancer, and tells Alyssa, whose parents saved her from drowning, to pretend to be her, so that she can heal a rift in her family.”
Zul, who is preparing to play a mixed martial artist in the coming film Sangkar, said Titian Cinta is also adapted from a novel by Ridhya Iman.
“I’m a nasty husband here, and I chase my wife out of the house. But gradually, we begin to long for each other,” he said adding that he worked well with his co-star Farah Nabilah.
Janna Nick, who was Choice Actress two years ago, made a comeback with Biar Aku Jadi Penunggu directed by Michael Ang.
“Competition has been stiff, especially from Farah. She’s a great actress, and I wish her well, but tasting victory a second time is sweet,” said Janna who played a young woman who persevered despite being unlucky in love.
“Anugerah DFKL is the awards show that brought me fame. Win or lose, I’ll always give it my fullest support.”
BEST AVENUE
Shukri Yahaya, who is accustomed to playing heroes, is glad to win Choice Antagonist for his role as nasty husband Airil in Andainya Takdir.
“Actually, I’ve had experience playing a bad boy in the drama series Juvana seven years ago. To prepare for Airil, I watched my performances in Juvana and observed one of my favourite actors Tom Hardy in action,” he said, adding that he still preferred being a “good guy”.
Universiti Malaya science student Siti Saleha Musiran, 26, whose five-minute film Manikam Dalam Lipatan won Choice Short Film, said she had always been a fan of Anugerah DFKL.
“It’s the best avenue for budding filmmakers, and I’m delighted that viewers loved my short story of a man who learns to be humble from a kind vagrant,” she said, adding that Yasmin Ahmad inspired her to be a filmmaker.
Heykal thanked the “200 per cent commitment” of Zul and Farah for making Titian Cinta a success.
“Zul and Farah acted very well and I hope they’ll be back for more collaborations. Titian Cinta may be adapted from a novel, but they’ve truly made the story their own with their excellent teamwork,” he said.
Dekatkan Jarak Kita producer Sheila Rusly, however, regretted that Syafiq could not make it for its coming spin-off, Dekatkan Jarak Kita Raya. which she had planned for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“My company, JS Pictures, informed his managers about the Raya edition three months ago. Sadly, his schedule was packed. My Plan B is to get it done for a Hari Raya Aidiladha release now,” she said, adding that nobody could replace Ayda and Syafiq in the special.
Syafiq said he had apologised to Sheila and Azman for his inability to join the spin-off, and added he would try his best to reprise his role of Tashriq at a later date.
“I love my character, and I had a great time working with Sheila, Azman and Ayda. It would be great to be back with them but sorry, I can’t make it for Raya,” he said.
11 AWARD CATEGORIES
The two-hour awards show, broadcast live on TV3 from PICC at 9pm, was co-hosted by actress Nabila Huda Suhaimi and comedian Ajak.
While not known to be a comedian, Nabila proved to be as witty, if not more, than Ajak, with her quips on the competing dramas and interesting facts about their main actors.
The 11 award categories, for the first time, were presented as part of an unfolding comedy sketch, by actors, singers and hosts Erwin Dawson, Kaka Azraff, Izzue Islam Mazlan, Ain Edruce, Amyra Rosli, Shahrulezad, De Fam, Farah, Syafiq, Maria Farida, Shukri, Vanidah Imran and Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan.
Each of them displayed a good sense of humour and it was refreshing to see playful banter between celebrities who normally appeared serious, such as Amyra, Vanidah and Jalaluddin, and “funny” ones Shukri, Syafiq, Erwin. Izzue and Kaka.
As for the singers who performed that evening, Ayda, Altimet and Budak Joget brought back nostalgia from the last decade performing Ning Baizura’s hit Drama, while Siti Sarah Raisuddin and her husband, comedian Shuib, were romantic with their duet, a medley of Tan Sri P Ramlee’s Gelora and Saat Yang Bahagia.
Datin Diana Danielle and Janna were also impressive with their medley of Tentang Kita and Akan Bercinta, likewise Haqiem Rusli and Ismail Izzani who performed Jatuh Bangun and Luar Biasa.
Syamel Fodzly and Azlan Rosle were formidable singing Sambutlah Kasih but Syamel’s duet partner in Duo Star, Ernie Zakri proved the star attraction singing the drama theme songs Menanti Janji, Permata Cinta, Dekat Tapi Jauh, Sumpah Cintaku and Tergantung Sepi.
THE WINNERS
CHOICE DRAMA
Dekatkan Jarak Kita
CHOICE ACTOR
Zul Ariffin (Titian Cinta)
CHOICE ACTRESS
Janna Nick (Biar Aku Jadi Penunggu)
CHOICE ANTAGONIST
Shukri Yahaya (Andainya Takdir)
CHOICE DIRECTOR
Heykal Hanifah (Titian Cinta)
CHOICE SCRIPT
Farhana Fauri (Titian Cinta)
CHOICE OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK
Sumpah Cintaku by Asfan Shah (Titian Cinta)
CHOICE COUPLE
Ayda Jebat and Syafiq Kyle (Dekatkan Jarak Kita)
CHOICE TONTON VIP DRAMA
Zahir Tak Terucap
CHOICE RADIO DRAMA
Cinta Biasa
CHOICE SHORT FILM
Manikam Dalam Lipatan