Hong Kong actor Joel Chan set social media abuzz last September when he arrived in Kuala Lumpur to film the upcoming Chinese New Year movie Mama, Not Again!.
At the time, the 49-year-old was seen enjoying a simple meal at a roadside stall, dressed casually in a white tank top and ripped jeans.
But his low-key appearance proved a little too convincing, as many netizens failed to recognise the TVB star, with some even mistaking him for a construction worker.
At a recent press conference in KL, Chan – who was in town to promote Mama, Not Again! – laughed off the incident, saying he was more amused than offended by the mix-up.
“I’ve already played too many handsome and cool characters, so I wanted to give audiences something fresh,” he said.
In the film, Chan takes on the role of Zhi Yong, a rigid road maintenance worker.
To slip into character, he deliberately adopted a scruffier appearance.
“I grew out some stubble to achieve that rugged, unkempt look. The fact that people couldn't recognise me is proof the transformation worked,” he said.
Helmed by local director Teddy Chin, Mama, Not Again! tells the story of Zhi Yong, Wei Hao and Tian You, who are sent away by their mother Li Mei Hua after their father dies.
Years later, Zhi Yong and Wei Hao are reunited as adults, each leading vastly different lives, while their youngest brother remains missing after being placed in foster care.
A chance encounter introduces Zhi Yong and Wei Hao to Bao Zai, a gangster who becomes their unofficial “brother”.
When Mei Hua invites her two sons home after 30 years to announce her marriage to a much younger man, the trio suspect he’s a gold digger and plot to expose him.
The film – premiering at cinemas nationwide on Feb 17 – also stars Hong Kong talents Christine Ng, Bob Lam and Oscar Leung.
