FIFTEEN years ago, the drama series '5 Jingga' made Siti Saleha Baharum a household name, and since then she has established herself as one of Malaysia's leading actresses.
The 33-year-old has won a host of awards, with the most recent being named National Winner for Best Actress In A Supporting Role for the Asian Academy Creative Awards for her role in the drama series 'Hilang'.
She will represent Malaysia for the category at the award's grand gala night in Singapore next month.
At the same awards two years ago, she was National Winner for Malaysia for the Best Actress In A Leading Role (for drama series 'Black').
It seems the actress of Malay-British parentage, who is also a four-time winner of Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian for her work in film and TV, has her sights set on the region or even internationally.
"If opportunity comes a-knocking, I'll definitely grab it and give my best, and make sure that I don't waste this chance.
"Of course, I want and am ready to get out of my comfort zone," she says.
Siti Saleha adds that she doesn't want to get too comfortable with what she has achieved.
"While I have earned a good place in the industry here, that doesn't mean I want to be complacent and not challenge myself to achieve more.
"So, I'm definitely waiting for a chance to work for an international production, despite knowing that the challenges ahead would be so much harder."
For that to happen, Siti Saleha says she has to put more effort in her work with local productions that could have the potential to compete at international film festivals.
"That's not something out of reach now. We have seen many Malaysian-made productions receiving awards at such festivals.
"Just look at the film 'Tiger Stripes' which has been chosen to represent Malaysia for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards (which will be held in March). Anything seems possible now.
"So, there's no reason for me not to give it a shot," she says.
In her latest venture, Siti Saleha is perhaps already working towards that goal.
The actress plays the leading role in the first Amazon Original production from Malaysia for Over The Top (OTT) streaming platform Prime Video, a drama series titled 'That Cover Girl'.
She plays hijabi fashion entrepreneur Sofi Safwan, who faces problems in her home life and is dedicated to solving them.
"I like the challenges Sofi brings me in this series. It tells the story of a reality which happens in the country's fashion industry.
"As a hijab-clad entrepreneur whose business brings her to the global fashion arena, I need to be aware of my presentation of Sofi which has to be believable, convincing, and not far-fetched from the real world," she says.
Produced by Creative Stew, the series directed by Abid Hussain, is also available in 240 regions worldwide.
Others in the cast include Hisyam Hamid, Aiman Hakim Ridza and Alicia Amin.
'That Cover Girl' is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.