Actor Saharul Ridzwan tells Dennis Chua that he will end his bachelorhood, on a most auspicious date.
SEPTEMBER is actor Saharul Ridzwan’s favourite month. This, says the well-read and well-informed TV star, is because it sees the celebration of Malaysia Day, the country’s birthday which falls on Sept 16.
“We mark Malaysia Day as the country’s No. 1 celebration, the birth of Bangsa Malaysia, and we make sure that we fly the national flag at our house every September,” says Saharul when met at Balqis Beach Resort, Kuala Linggi, Malacca.
But Sept 16 this year will be no ordinary Malaysia Day for Saharul. On this special day, he will tie the knot with his girlfriend of four years, Deena Mohamed Akif Emir.
Deena, who is 28, and a year older than Saharul, is a businesswoman from Kuala Lumpur. She has also been a longtime fan of the actor, and he counts her as his “No. 1 fan, friend and critic.”
“Deena and I share a lot of common interests. We love to read, especially about travel, food, fashion and show business, be it Western or local. And the decision to get married on Sept 16 was mutual — both of us wanted a date which we would be able to remember forever!”
The couple is keeping their honeymoon destination a secret though, but Saharul hints that he loves to travel domestically and firmly supports the Government’s “Cuti-Cuti Malaysia” campaign.
“The honeymoon won’t be a long one, since both of us are very busy with work. While I’m committed to my acting career, there are plans to open a business venture with my wife in the not-too-distant future.
“It’s going to be a food and beverage business, something which is close to our hearts. And since my wife runs a boutique, elements of fashion will figure prominently in our future business, too.”
Saharul and Deena will be married in a private ceremony in the Klang Valley attended by family members and close friends. Two days after the solemnisation ceremony, they will have a dinner reception for fans, including the media and Saharul’s fellow celebrity friends, at the Grand Blue Wave Hotel in Shah Alam.
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On his projects, Saharul is looking forward to the screening of horror comedy Hantu Rumah Sakit Jiwa, which also stars comedian Abam of Bocik.
“This is a rip-roaring spoof of popular culture, masquerading as a crazy horror story. It’s great to work with Abam... he’s big, strong, friendly, funny and most of all, an open-minded friend.”
The Astro Shaw movie which will be screened by year end is directed by Michael Ang, whom Saharul also admires for his wide knowledge of local movies.
“I had a great time working on the set with Abam and Michael. Fizz Fairuz was also onboard, and he is easily the show stealer.”
As for television dramas and telemovies, Saharul will soon appear in two spiritually-themed telemovies directed by his mentor Sheila Rusly.
“The telemovies are Jalan Balik Ke Surau and Kehebatan Ilahi. Both of them are specially made for Hari Raya Aidil Adha and they will be aired on TV3.”
Having started acting for the past five years, among his more popular dramas are Seindah Takdir Cinta, Assalamualaikum Cinta, Romi Cinta Julia, Kau, Aku, Kita and Hati Perempuan. He also starred in the plays Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck and Bawang Putih Bawang Merah, both in Istana Budaya last year.
Saharul and his Hati Perempuan co-star Mia Ahmad (Shamiha Ahmad Baderi) were chosen by tonton as its Mala content ambassadors in a ceremony at Balqis Beach Resort on Aug 25.
The duo join singers and actors Soo Wincci and Henley Hii who were appointed tonton’s Chinese language content ambassadors early last month.