"Age Shouldn’t Define A Hero" – Rosyam Nor

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) – Veteran producer and actor Datuk Rosyam Nor believes that age should not define a leading role, asserting that the term ‘old hero’ is outdated in today’s cinematic landscape.

Describing talent as a timeless gift, Rosyam, whose real name is Mohamed Noor Shamsuddin, 58, hopes to see more senior actors returning to the spotlight.

 “People say that if I play a hero, I’m considered an old hero. I disagree. There’s no such thing as an old or young hero. If he’s a hero, he’s a hero. For example, our father—do we call him an old father as he ages? No, right?

“It’s the same in films—even if the person is 70 years old, he can still be a hero. That’s what I’ve always voiced out,” he told reporters after the trailer launch of the Keluang Man film recently.

Rosyam, famously known as ‘Hero Malaya,’ said that the acting talent of experienced actors is still relevant and can add value to a production, especially when paired with younger actors.

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“Therefore, give us opportunities—especially in action films. We already have our own fan base, and when we’re combined with young actors, it can attract two groups of viewers, the old and the new,” he said.

Citing the success of the Hindi film Mohabbatein, which paired Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, the Best Actor at the 16th Malaysian Film Festival said such an approach reflects generational diversity in mainstream works and attracts a broader audience spectrum.

He said that generational collaboration not only allows veteran actors to continue shining but also provides fans of all ages a reason to return to cinemas.

“Some films today are too focused on the younger generation, to the point that older fans who grew up with us feel left out because there are no longer genres or figures they can watch in the cinema,” he said.

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Commenting on his involvement in the local superhero film Keluang Man, he admitted feeling proud to be given the opportunity to act in a film directed by Anwari Ashraf, adapted from the iconic 1990s animation.

“This is my first superhero film... and I’m proud because it’s made by a younger generation of filmmakers, adapted from an old classic, and presented on the big screen. I think the film’s production set is one of the most impressive in the history of local films,” he said.

Rosyam also urged local audiences to continue supporting the film, as it not only evokes nostalgia for the older generation but also introduces a local legend to the younger generation.

In the film, Rosyam stars alongside several other prominent local actors, including Nas Muammar Zar (also known as Nas-T), Datuk Remy Ishak, Shweta Sekhon, Anwaar Beg Moghal, Halim Othman, and Amelia Henderson.

Keluang Man will be screened in cinemas nationwide starting May 29.

— BERNAMA