Softer side of Jalaluddin

KUALA LUMPUR: He is known for his macho on-screen portrayals and as the deep-voiced host of Malaysia's “Who wants to be a Millionaire”. 

But for his new movie, Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan has ventured into the extreme. He will play an effeminate guy in the musical Patung Kertas (Paper Doll), scheduled for release in February next year. 

Abang Jalal, as the 54-year-old veteran actor is known, will be following the footsteps of fellow actors Ahmad Azhar Othaman or Awie and Rusdi Ramli in playing an effeminate character.  

Movie role: Jalaluddin (inset) plays an effeminate guywho owns a boutique and is an art enthusiast in the movie.

Rusdi won an award for his lead role in Waris Jari Hantu. 

“When I first received the offer, I did not give it a thought nor look at the script. 

“But after the producer called me saying that the director is Lokman Ghani, I immediately agreed. He is one of the best theatre directors in Malaysia. 

“It was only a week later that I realised that I was supposed to play an effeminate man,” said Jalaluddin during a photograph session at the Malaysia Tourism Centre. 

Patung Kertas is the brainchild of renowned director-playwright A. Wahid Nasir.  

It is about a man who is “soft” since he was a child. After his mother died from chronic leukaemia, he joins a charity foundation and gets to know Hairol (Jalaluddin), a boutique owner and art enthusiast. 

They then team up as Patung Kertas for charity performances to raise funds for chronic leukaemia patients. 

“As an actor, this is a challenge. I’ve never tackled the role of an effeminate man. I’m worried if I can pull it off or not. 

“However, I believe I will be able to grasp the essence of Wahid’s script and deliver, with the support of Lokman and the production crew,” said Jalaluddin. 

Jalaluddin’s feminine look, complete with women’s clothes, thick makeup, wig, and high heels, is credited to two hours of work by makeup artists Ika Osman, Gina, and Lili from Ika Frency. 

“The more I get to know them (effeminate men), the more I respect them as Allah’s creations,” he said.  

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