‘I do not want my grandchildren to be in showbiz’, says Fauziah Nawi

The 68-year-old says that life in the entertainment industry is not a bed of roses. Photo: Handout

Actress Fauziah Nawi revealed that she would prefer if her grandchildren do not follow in her footsteps and enter the entertainment industry.

“While I did enter this field and made it my career, I do not wish the same for my grandchildren as showbiz is not a bed of roses,” she said to the press after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st Malaysia Film Festival (FFM) held on Friday (Dec 10).

The 68-year-old said she had told as much to her late son Mohd Firdaus Mohamad Hanif, better known as Pitt Hanif – who later became a director. Pitt passed away October 2019 at the age of 43 in a boating accident.

“But when one of my grandchildren enrolled to college to study filmmaking, there is nothing I can do.

“I guess the artistic blood runs too deep in their vein,” said Fauziah, who got emotional while talking about her family members.

Her daughter-in-law Farah Ahmad is also in the industry working as an actress.

Although Fauziah herself had a tough time in the entertainment industry, she hopes that time has changed and is kinder to younger artistes.

“They can arm themselves with knowledge in the film industry before entering the showbiz which is something I didn’t have,” she elaborated.

“Whatever it is, I have told them to be strong, honest and resilient. I still remember what my late father told me, if you enter this industry you could never turn your back on it.”

At the same time, Fauziah is grateful to have been in the industry as it supported her family all these while.

She added: “I am also grateful that I am still relevant in the entertainment industry today. And that I am still keeping active and working," she mentioned, dedicating the award she received at the festival to her late son.

Fauziah first entered the entertainment industry in 1974 working in radio and theatre. She has starred in various Malaysian films such as The Red Kebaya, Qabil Khushry Qabil Igam, Jodoh Syaitan and Ada Apa Dengan Dosa.