KABIR BHATIA, 39
BY TONY EUSOFF

At the end of 2003, I received a call from the assistant director of Nafsu, who asked me to do a guest role in the short film. Upon arriving on set, I approached some Nepalese security guards and asked one of the casually dressed ones for direction. After I found the assistant director, however, I was introduced back to the person who guided me there. That person who I thought was one of the security guards was in actual fact, Kabir himself.

Despite the initial embarrassment and laughter, Nafsu soon led to many other collaborations. There was Astana Idaman 2 and Pelesit, followed by two scenes in Cinta in which I played a doctor, before taking a lead role in Sepi. More recently we worked together on Front Page, a new suspense thriller for NTV7.

Working with Kabir is extremely stimulating (and I mean that in the most professional and wholesome of ways). Like most good directors, he works with his actors, giving them a sense of importance by listening to their input. Kabir’s also got good musical taste, good artistic and style sense, a package necessary to be a good director. Most of all, despite being a foreigner, Kabir has excellent instinct on how to satisfy the Malaysian film and television market.

Working with him for as many times as I did, you inevitably get the hang of how he wants things done and the processes he pushes the actors through. With him, I’ve learnt how to improve my instincts as an actor. Unsurprisingly, he’s in high demand—thanks to his good taste and storytelling skills, as well as some captivating scripts. Kabir definitely has a fresh take in the industry.

Tony Eusoff is a familiar face on television and film, with talents that extend well beyond acting and into musical theatre. His extensive work has earned critical acclaim – most notably for his lead role in Kabir Bhatia’s latest film Sepi, and lighting up the stage in Tunku: The Musical and Rose Rose I Love You. Tony can now be seen in television dramas Front Page and 5 Jingga, as well as upcoming productions Dua Kali Aku Mencintaimu and Ceraiya for Gua.com.my.