From Minah Karan to TV star
By Wong Sai wan
MEET Amylia Nastasha Aziz who is probably the hardest working actress in our local showbiz world.
This Penang-lass moved down to Kuala Lumpur in January in the hope that she could make a break into the world of showbusiness and she indeed did so.
Since April till last week, she has acted in three telemovies, five movies (including a Bollywood production), seven TV drama series, two TV magazines and participated in six reality TV programmes. And she is due to shoot two more drama series later this month.
Amylia often ends up playing the 'bad' girl in movies
“My biggest role will the one I just completed for a 13-episode drama series entitled “Nurin Qistina” where I play the role of a ‘perempuan liar’ (wild girl).
“In the 20-odd jobs I have had in the past few months, it’s been a mixture – from being a stage hand to a back-up dancer in the Bollywood movie ‘Kitcha Huccha’ but the most important thing is that I got to know many people and that many people in the industry now know me,” she told The Daily Chilli.
Calling herself Tasha, this 28-year-old starlet admitted that she often ended up playing the “bad” or mis-led” girl in movies and dramas but said it was not type-casting.
“They are roles that you can really sink your teeth into. They are so much more meatier, but of course as a new actress, the roles are also quite small.
“But I have also played a single mother and even an Indian woman!”
Tasha had always wanted to be part of the glamour world since she was young but after leaving school her first job was at an electronics factory in Bayan Lepas.
“Yes, I was once a Minah Karan but I am now a model and an actress,” said Tasha as she burst out into laughter recalling her younger days.
“My father even sent me to a college that was run by the factory in the hope that I would become a qualified technician.”
She also tells of how strict her parents – both teachers – were and never allowed her to go out on her own.
“When I first started as a model, I had to make up all sorts of excuses to go out for the photo shoots. It was the same for the bit parts I played in some dramas that were shot in Penang.
“Eventually I was caught out when my mother watched one of the dramas on TV and saw me in it.”
Amylia hardly goes out at night nowadays
After her parents relaxed her curfew hours, Tasha said she “went wild” and started to go clubbing all the time.
“Eventually, I realised that I was wasting my time doing such things.
“Now I hardly go out at night and that is probably because I am often away for hours at a film or drama shoot. I am so tired by the end of the day that all I want to do is go home and put my feet up.”
Her parents and friends were worried for her when she announced that she was moving to Kuala Lumpur to pursue her acting and modelling career.
“I even surprised myself because I am now more homely than I was in Penang. Maybe it is because I now have to pay for everything myself and this had made me more responsible.”
As for a boyfriend, Tasha said she has been without one for more than a year and was now concentrating on her career.
“My future husband must be caring and a family man who must accept that I am an actress and will support me in my pursuit.”
For more pictures of Tasha go to the Babes and Hunk section.
* These pictures of her were taken by famed Penang photographer Teh Young-Sun.
His work can be seen at www.eyedear.my
Published Oct 10, 2009
Comments (0)