Girl-next-door Elisya Sandha may be in the shadow of her popular elder sister for now but, as she tells Dennis Chua, she will be her own person some day
HER large eyes, fair complexion and lanky frame easily give Elisya Sandha Hassan’s identity away, as the little sister of a household name.
But make no mistake. While big sister Fasha serves as her mentor in the film industry, 17-year-old Elisya, who is sitting for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination this year, is determined to be her own woman.
Sociable, friendly and capable of answering any question from the Press (a sweet smile means no comment), Elisya is a Penang girl at heart.
To prove it, she is a fan of the late, great Tan Sri P. Ramlee, and counts famous Penangites Fauziah Ahmad Daud, Maya Karin and Johan As’ari as her favourites in showbusiness.
“They’re versatile, charismatic and humble, qualities that I look up to,” says Elisya at an event to promote her romantic comedy Anak Mami Nasi Kandaq, directed by Datuk Prof A. Razak Mohaideen in Intekma Resort, Shah Alam. The film opens on the first of Hari Raya on July 6.
ALL FOR GOOD GIRLS
Fasha is also acting in the film and while she initially did not approve of Elisya joining the entertainment scene, their mother supported the latter’s decision to do so.
“Acting has been a hobby for me since I was 10. I used to participate in my school plays, and last year I entered Astro’s Ceria Superstar as a dancer,” says Elisya.
What sort of roles does she like best?
“I’m all for good girls who are loving, brave, strong and romantic. That’s who I am; I don’t feel comfortable playing persons who are totally different from my real self,” she says.
But wouldn’t it be good to play villains, since bad guy roles are more memorable?
“Maybe in future when my acting skills have improved. It can be really exciting to play a totally different character on screen once in a while, even though it doesn’t quite work for me. As my sister says, I’m the nice type,” says Elisya, who shares Fasha’s love for romantic comedies.
But Elisya says she doesn’t mind trying out action-packed movies, especially if Remy Ishak or Johan are the leading men!
So how is it like working with Fasha?
“Honestly, I’m a little scared of my sister since she’s a strict disciplinarian who has no qualms pointing out my weaknesses after every shoot,” says Elisya.
“It can be painful since I’m sensitive, but I know she does it to make sure I do it well.”
She says Razak is also strict and a no-nonsense director on the set.
“He does not frighten me but I do get a ticking off from him for making mistakes during filming. But the great thing about him is, and after a day’s work, he gives me useful tips to improve,” she adds.
It was Fasha who had introduced Elisya to Razak, but the young starlet took her own initiative to audition for Anak Mami Nasi Kandaq.
“I want to carve my own niche in showbiz, and I don’t want to be a clone of my sister. Fasha always taught me to be myself,” she says.
REAL STAR
Elisya who has been on the small and big screen for the past year says her first drama was Bila Chacha Masuk Asrama on TV3, aired late last year.
During the same period, she acted in the series Destinasi G4 on TV9 and Aku Mahu Ke New York on Astro Ceria.
Early this year, she hosted travelogue Misi Kita on RTM and On Air With Datuk Aznil Nawawi on Astro, besides starring in Tamil drama Natchatiran and the horror movie Perjanjian Syaitan.
As for her Hari Raya celebration, Elisya is looking forward to her favourite time more than ever because together with her family, they will watch Anak Mami Nasi Kandaq in Penang.
She will also get to enjoy her beloved Raya dish, nasi kandar, which is the real star of the movie.