KUALA LUMPUR: Popular actress Rita Rudaini is one of the best known "single mums" in the local entertainment industry.
The mother of Airit Rayyan Rizqin, 13, and Airit Qaqa Arjuna, 11, said that she has been both "father and mother" of her sons for almost a decade.
"Even though my boys have grown up without a father figure in their lives, I'm happy to have raised them successfully. In fact, Rayyan is now studying in the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) and is doing well in his studies," said Rita in the caption to a brief video about her life as a single mother on Instagram recently.
"You may fail as a wife, but don't fail as a mother. Good mums raise great children."
Rayyan and Arjuna are Rita's sons from her marriage to footballer Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak between 2008 and 2013.
Rita, 46, began her acting career in 1999 after becoming a finalist in Dewi Remaja.
In the same year she starred in a television advertisement for Pepsi directed by the late Yasmin Ahmad and a year later, she appeared in the music video of singer Rem's song Selingkar Kasih.
The actress from Kangar, Perlis, made her film debut in the 2002 action film Mendam Berahi, and her television debut in the 2000 drama series Dulang Wan Chu.
Rita's best known films include Mami Jarum, Mistik, Mami Jarum Junior, Cinta, Balistik and Kerana Korona, while her best known dramas include Rafflesia, Bicara Aur Dan Tebing, Skuad Elit, Istidraj Cinta and Jangan Bunuh Matahariku.