Wedding bells are ringing soon for popular actress Siti Saleha, writes Syahirah Mokhtazar
IN the recent hit TV drama series 7 Hari Mencintaiku, popular actress Siti Saleha Baharom played Mia Adriana, a rich, arrogant and obnoxious girl who often looked down on her kampung boy husband Khuzairi (played by Shukri Yahaya), whom she was forced to marry.
Saleha, who is fondly known as Sally among fans, played her character well. Well enough to touch the hearts of the 12 million viewers who watched the drama series.
But in reality, Sally is an affable girl-next-door sweetie. Unlike the character she portrayed, she will be marrying someone whom she loves dearly, her fiance Lutfi Azhar.
The couple got engaged last November and since then, the bride-to-be appears to be more radiant than ever. Perhaps it’s the wedding glow.
They plan to wed after Hari Raya this year.
“I’ve been so busy with work that I have yet to tick-off a single item from my wedding checklist,” she said in an interview.
“Perhaps I will get a wedding planner,” said the actress who won the Anugerah Bintang Popular BH (ABPBH) in 2013 and 2014 for Popular Film Actress category.
Every couple has their own marriage proposal story.
For Sally, hers was pretty magical.
“We were in Mexico for the wedding of Lutfi’s friend. We had only one day left for sightseeing before we flew back to KL. So he took me to the Mayan Ruins in Cancun and that’s where it happened.
“It was sunny and beautiful and hey, it was one of the Seven Wonders of the World!” said the 26-year-old.
On what it was that made her think he was “the one”, she said: “It just felt right. When it comes to things like this, you’ll know it in your guts. I’m not the type who plans things, so I just let things fall into place.
“He’s got so many great qualities. One is that he is smart.
Since we work in different industries (he is a civil servant), our topics of conversations are really interesting and wide.
I learn a lot from him. Plus he makes me laugh too.
”And what makes it even more special is that his family is so loving, welcoming and very supportive.”
“People always tell me that it’s a wonderful feeling to be married, so I can’t wait to experience what that feels like,” said Sally, whose older brother is Sam, the lead singer of pop-rock band Bunkface.
“Lutfi is well aware of the projects that I am involved in and he’s very supportive. When he watched 7 Hari Mencintaiku, he often joked that my personality resembles my character Mia,” she laughed.
“After I told him that the show ratings were really high, he was really happy for me,” she added.
On whether she would continue acting after she ties the knot, she said: “Of course! Like I said, Lutfi is very supportive so there’s no problem of me continuing my acting career.
But then again I would need to organise my schedule to ensure I wouldn’t be filming a drama that requires me to be at the set for a long period of time,” she said.
NEXT MOVE
Sally will next appear in horror telemovie Aura, where she and actor Redza Minhat will take on the lead roles.
Besides acting, the actress is looking to venture into business. “I’ve not decided on what business I would like to own. I need to equip myself with more knowledge first,” she said.
On 7 Hari Mencintaiku, Sally seemed overwhelmed by its success. But she admitted that it wasn’t the easiest role to play. “Before I took on the project, my manager said that I have to take this role because I’ve never done anything like it. “When I read the script, I was like wow! Mia is so obnoxious, I was afraid many would hate me, haha!
Indeed, it was a challenge to bring her character to life because it required a lot of energy for three months. “I was required to cry even in the first scene.
“I just wanted to prove that I am capable of playing more complex roles. It was a milestone for me, to be honest,” she added.