Having been in the industry for almost 20 years, Datuk Remy Ishak is always looking to take on different kinds of roles.
These days, the 43-year-old is keen on more mature characters that he can relate to, as well as reflect his real-life status as a husband and father.
He married Datin Ezza Yusof on Aug 21, 2021, and is dad to the couple’s son, Tuah Alam, who will turn three in July.
However, Remy says he is often offered romantic leads.
“There wasn’t much difference in the characters I was playing,” Remy said at a recent press meet.
The Malaccan, whose full name is Mohammad Zalimei Ishak, rose to fame with the 2009 drama Nur Kasih and has since built a career largely anchored in romance.
His credits include dramas such as Cinta Jangan Pergi, Kekasih Paksa Rela, Obsesi, Lelaki Kiriman Tuhan, Pujaan Hati Kanda and Keluarga Baha Don, as well as films like Anak Halal, Nur Kasih The Movie, Pulang and Sangkar.
In the course of his career, he’s garnered four nominations at the Malaysia Film Festival, clinching his first acting win in 2021, taking home Best Supporting Actor for Sangkar.
The film also sparked his interest in pursuing more action-oriented roles, away from the romance genre.
But opportunities were slow to come.
“I wondered why I wasn’t part of that space, and I waited a long time for a script in that genre,” he said.
It finally came last year when director Zahir Omar and screenwriter June Tan approached him for Mikael: Pemburu Dua Alam – a film that combines horror, action and comedy.
“When I heard the story, I immediately thought, this is it. This is what I’ve been waiting for.”
The film – which has been praised for its action sequences, the performance by the cast and its unconventional storyline for a Malaysian production – sees him playing a detective who handles supernatural cases, often coming face-to-face with demons and jinn bent on causing harm to humans.
“I told Zahir this was my chance to finally do an action film and take on something outside the box of what I’ve done before. That’s why I said yes,” he explained.
The role also resonated with him on a personal level.
In 2019, Remy revealed that he had suffered from depression and had to take a break from acting due to severe mood swings.
He initially wanted to seek help from a therapist before his friends and family encouraged him to consult an ustaz.
It was during a session involving Quranic recitations with an ustaz that he came to believe a supernatural presence had attached itself to him, influencing his emotions and thoughts.
“I am OK now, but it was a very disturbing period ... to realise my depression was related to black magic,” he said.
“Alhamdulillah, it hasn’t recurred.
“It took a long time to recover, and I believe this is something you have to work through yourself.
“You need to take care of your well-being and strengthen your relationship with God,” he added.
“Once I found my way and strengthened my faith, there were no more disturbances.
“I’ve ‘cut the cord’ – because I’m Mikael now,” he said with a laugh, before continuing, “I may joke that I am Mikael, but the role feels close to me because of that experience.”
The actor added that while he was mentally prepared for the role, the physical demands proved challenging.
“The training was intense – seven days during Ramadan and another seven days after Hari Raya – and we went straight into filming after that.
“My body was quite stressed, so I took supplements to cope, but they were quite ‘heaty’.
“Combined with the heat on set and the fact that I had to wear a jacket for the role, it became overwhelming,” he recalled.
As a result, Remy suffered heatstroke and was hospitalised for four days.
“Looking back, I think it was also because I didn’t get enough rest.
“The fight scenes were back-to-back and nonstop, often in very hot conditions.
“Physically, I could handle it, but the lack of rest and the stress of filming really took a toll. It was my first experience going through something like that.”
According to him, the doctor later advised him to consume more “cooling” foods to balance his body.
At least Remy now knows what to do and what to avoid should there be sequels to Mikael.
In this interview, Remy talks about moving past romance drama and what he really feels about influencers as actors.
These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
1. What was your first reaction when you read the script for Mikael?
I was honestly very excited.
We don’t really have scripts like this in Malaysia.
Usually, if it’s horror, it’s purely horror. There’s horror-comedy, but horror-action-comedy is something new.
So I immediately felt excited – like, this is fresh.
And I thought, if this works, I might be part of something that’s never been done before here.
2. Have you not been offered action roles before this?
I did receive some offers, but not really the kind I was looking for.
At the time (the offers came), there were many action-gangster films.
But I wasn’t interested in doing gangster roles because when I am offered a role, I always ask myself – what is my contribution to society? Am I adding something meaningful?
Sometimes when you portray certain “stylish” characters, young audiences may imitate that behaviour.
I feel today’s teenagers can be easily influenced, so I’m careful about the roles I take.
I would rather be part of projects that offer something positive.
With Mikael, it’s not just action – it has comedy, Malay cultural elements and themes of fighting evil and the unseen.
It felt new and meaningful. That’s why I was excited.
3. Mikael features two influencers in the cast. Do you agree influencers have an easier path into acting today?
I agree. It’s really easy now to get into the acting business.
That’s why their appreciation for the craft is less – at least from what I’ve observed.
If they feel like acting, they do it for fun, not for the art, but for the glamour.
To really understand a character and the journey of the story – I’m not sure if they can.
Honestly, I feel like many of them are just doing it for fun.
Whether their casting has an impact on the industry, it depends on the production, on the director and producer, and what they want from the project.
If they want something that is trending at the moment, then maybe choosing influencers is the way to go.
But if the director is serious about the craft, then the choice might be different.
4. What’s next for you?
This year, I have a few supernatural horror movies.
There was Qifarah last year. And this year, I am starring in Mikael and Khadam.
After that, we’ll just have to wait and see – I can’t reveal too much, otherwise someone might get jealous and I’ll be afflicted by the “evil eye”.
5. You’re not interested in doing dramas anymore?
Well, that depends.
I already have grey hair, so I can’t be playing someone who is falling in love for the first time, or doing dramas about young lovers.
I don’t believe in those dialogues anymore.
As an actor, we have to believe in what we’re saying. If I’ve said the same thing 100 times, I can’t believe it anymore.
Unless it’s a family drama that I feel relates to me – something that connects with my age now, as someone with a family – then that’s different.
If suddenly I’m asked to play a college or university student, trying to deliver love lines ... I don’t see myself in that.
There are many younger actors who are more suitable for those roles.
Mikael: Pemburu Dua Alam is showing at cinemas.
