BY her stage name, every Malaysian would know that she is the granddaughter of the country's revered entertainer, the King of Entertainment Tan Sri P. Ramlee.
But Najua Nasir or Najua P. Ramlee does not feel that she has a standard to live up to.
Instead, she always believes in doing her best in her chosen craft, and maintaining a wholesome image befitting the name of the legendary grandfather whom she had never met.
BOND WITH HIM
"Even though my grandfather left us 13 years before I was born, my late father told me a lot of wonderful stories about him, and I somehow feel a bond with him, and want to achieve something in life which will make him proud," said Najua, 37, at the launch of her latest drama series Cik Misi 123 at Publika in Solaris Dutamas, off Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur recently.
Kuala Lumpur-born Najua first got bitten by the acting bug when she was nine, and was active in children's theatre during her schooldays.
The younger of the late singer-actor Nasir P. Ramlee's four daughters from three marriages, and the fifth of seven siblings, Najua graduated from the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara) in Jalan Tun Ismail, Kuala Lumpur with a performing arts degree in 2009.
MENTOR REJECT
"I spent three years there, and was encouraged to pursue my passion by my parents, especially my mother," she said.
Najua, the younger of Nasir's two daughters from his marriage to veteran actress Rashidah Jaafar, is more into acting though she does sing well and auditioned unsuccessfully for Mentor Season 6 in 2012.
"In that season, I narrowly lost in my quest to be selected as Singaporean crooner Ferhad's protege.
"Ferhad chose Tisha Shamsir who finished fourth.
"Nevertheless, TV3 and Ferhad did invite me to sing in the grand finals of Mentor 6, and I will always remember that moment."
AKADEMI FANTASIA 3
Najua earlier auditioned for Akademi Fantasia 3 (AF3) in 2005 but did not make the grade.
"Even if I had made it, I would have not been a match for the then pop phenomenon Asmawi Ani," said Najua, who admires Mawi for his versatility.
Najua had better luck in 2021, when she participated in All Together Now Malaysia and made it to the finals.
ADMIRED BY QUEEN
From time to time, Najua sings in corporate events and also entertains VVIPs.
One of her biggest VVIP fans is the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar who invited her for a performance at Istana Negara earlier this year.
"I am most honoured to meet the Queen. She is so friendly and down to earth, and I felt on top of the world when she told me that she was one of my fans."
SMALL STEPS
Najua said that at the end of the day, she does not aim to become a superstar like her grandfather, what is more important is honouring his memory and her father's by being serious with her craft and respecting the entertainment industry.
Najua believes in taking small steps to success, and her ambition is to write her own songs and direct her own dramas or films someday.
HAPPY WITH PROGRESS
Najua is always thankful to veteran actress Fauziah Nawi and veteran vocal coach Siti Hajar Ismail for training her in acting and singing respectively.
"They are like mother figures to me, I meet them now and then, and to date they have been very happy with my progress."
FATHER'S WISH
When asked why she chose to be known as Najua P. Ramlee, she said that it was her father's wish that she use her grandfather's name as part of her stage name.
"Before he died, my father advised me to go by Najua P. Ramlee as a tribute to my grandfather. He told me that all members of the Ramlee clan had 'P. Ramlee' attached to their names."
SMOOTH CRIMINAL
If Najua had an ideal television or film character to play, she would play characters that are different from her bubbly and playful self.
"My ideal role is that of a white collar villainess," she said.
"Even if I am is more suited for good girls, I would love to play flawed characters because they are realistic."