Hasni Maulod plays cult leader on FRONTPAGE
In the upcoming episode of FRONTPAGE, fans get to watch Hasni Maulod play a cult leader - the most challenging role he’s ever played.
After five years of acting, actor Hasni Maulod, thought he could play almost any role given to him. But he was in for a big challenge when he was asked to play the role of notorious cult leader Guru Jannatul Adawiyah in the sixth episode of FRONTPAGE, an investigative TV series on Ntv7.
“I must say it was something I did not expect at all when I agreed to play the part,” said the experienced actor who is in his late 40s.
“To have a whole village of followers and to play the role of an infamous chief is not something I had ever done before. However, it was a great experience and very rewarding.”
The upcoming episode, billed The Secret Kingdom, sees Guru Jannatul Adawiyah proclaiming that he is God, deceiving his followers with his preaching.
Brutal acts take place, leaving the people confused and disturbed. Still, the villagers have no one else to turn to except their Guru.
“I had to prepare myself for the role and took some time getting into character,” said Hasni. “It was indeed a challenge to play a leader who people once looked up to and then suddenly was a fallen man.”
What makes FRONTPAGE interesting is that new characters and a new story are introduced in every episode, he says.
The investigative crime reporters on the series go all out to uncover crime, and are passionate about their jobs and revealing the truth behind every story.
Hasni Maulod in a scene from the episode, The Secret Kingdom.
In The Secret Kingdom, a mysterious girl is found in a jungle covered in blood and barely alive. Rebecca Annuar (Nurakhtar Mohd Amin), one of the reporters who works for The Voice newspaper, recognises the hook symbol branded on the girl as the handiwork of a cult called Jannatul Adawiyah.
Her colleague, Jack Lee (Tony Eusoff), infiltrates the sect which subscribes to a very strange set of beliefs.
The sect believes that their leader, Guru Jannatul Adawiyah, is God. Rebecca decides to follow Jack despite him warning her not to.
Will they be able to rescue the other young girls in the sect while keeping their identities secret?
For Hasni, challenges the reporters face in the series make the show compelling.
“Little do viewers realise that reporters put their lives at risk when it comes to crime related issues. FRONTPAGE is a welcome change from the other local dramas because it depicts the lives of reporters,” he said, adding that this type of TV programme was more common in the United States.
Hasni has only praise for director Kabir Bhatia and his creative efforts in directing FRONTPAGE. He had previously worked with the director on the film Cinta.
“Bhatia is a wonderful and understanding person. It was great to work with him again. He has earned his name as a leading director and I’m glad he has given me another opportunity to work with him.”
Hasni has acted in several TV dramas such as Drama Mamjalara, Spa Q, Drama Anita and Putri. Besides Cinta, he has acted in movies such as Misi XXRay, Singapore Ghost Story and Natasha.
FRONTPAGE airs on Ntv7 on Sundays at 9.45pm.
