with
Aedy Ashraf
They say time flies when you’re having fun. That certainly rings true for Aedy Ashraf. Having ridden the waves of the entertainment industry for over two decades—and he’s only 32!—the Kota Bharu-born actor has learned to tune out
the noise and tap into the work that makes him happy. This philosophy has paid off in spades. If the longevity of his career isn’t enough proof, Aedy’s box office receipts certainly make the case undeniable.
The star of Kahar: Kapla High Council, which raked in RM13 million in theatrical revenue last year, is now unfolding new sails on his journey. After taking on the role of chief executive officer of Alpha47 Films, Aedy is emboldened to pursue unfamiliar paths, putting on the producer hat and gearing up for his upcoming action flick Tarung: Unforgiven. Ahead, he contemplates the unfathomable expanse of time and its slow build toward his latest undertaking.
The star of Kahar: Kapla High Council, which raked in RM13 million in theatrical revenue last year, is now unfolding new sails on his journey. After taking on the role of chief executive officer of Alpha47 Films, Aedy is emboldened to pursue unfamiliar paths, putting on the producer hat and gearing up for his upcoming action flick Tarung: Unforgiven. Ahead, he contemplates the unfathomable expanse of time and its slow build toward his latest undertaking.
Aedy wears the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition in Tropical Green.
A Moment in Time
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED ABOUT THE ART OF ACTING?
I had the good fortune to work with seasoned actor Wan Hanafi Su when I was only 14 years old, and I learned some valuable lessons from that experience. I had never taken acting lessons before, so everything I knew I learned on set—I would sit in front of the monitor and observe what the other actor was doing. So one day, I asked him about acting, and he told me that it’s all about honesty. You need to portray whatever it is that you and the character feel in that particular moment. Your job is to basically deliver that feeling, so you need to be honest with yourself.
WHAT’S THE REALITY OF THE INDUSTRY THAT YOU THINK MANY PEOPLE OVERLOOK?
That it is a tough business. I have seen so many aspiring actors giving up on the industry halfway through. None of my Tentang Bulan castmates, for example, made it. I’m the only one who stuck to my guns. It is not an easy path. You need passion to go the distance. Maybe for them, acting was just a hobby, but I see it as a career. I can’t do anything else. And the work never stops. Even today, I still believe there are many things that I need and want to learn.
HOW MUCH DOES TIMING FACTOR INTO YOUR PROCESS AS AN ACTOR?
Acting is all about timing. That is why you have rehearsals. Granted, you don’t get as much rehearsal time for television productions due to the tight shooting schedules, which is why sometimes you get a sparring partner that you have no chemistry with. But it is crucial in filmmaking. You have to know what your screen partner is like. You need to be in sync with each other; the tempo needs to be right. The emotions, the line delivery, the physical movements… It’s all about timing. If you don’t hit that sweet spot, it will feel off.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING SCENE YOU HAD TO FILM?
It has to be the one from War on Terror: KL Anarchy. There’s one scene where I had to jump from the twelfth to the seventh floor. I did more than 12 jumps on the first day, thinking that we had gotten the shots, only to realise that we had missed some the next day. So I had to go back and hang off the edge of the building, suspended high above the ground with nothing beneath me, just to capture this shot of my hand holding the rope. It took around 10 hours to shoot. Sure, I could’ve let the stunt team do it, but I wanted to do it myself. It is more satisfying that way.
I had the good fortune to work with seasoned actor Wan Hanafi Su when I was only 14 years old, and I learned some valuable lessons from that experience. I had never taken acting lessons before, so everything I knew I learned on set—I would sit in front of the monitor and observe what the other actor was doing. So one day, I asked him about acting, and he told me that it’s all about honesty. You need to portray whatever it is that you and the character feel in that particular moment. Your job is to basically deliver that feeling, so you need to be honest with yourself.
WHAT’S THE REALITY OF THE INDUSTRY THAT YOU THINK MANY PEOPLE OVERLOOK?
That it is a tough business. I have seen so many aspiring actors giving up on the industry halfway through. None of my Tentang Bulan castmates, for example, made it. I’m the only one who stuck to my guns. It is not an easy path. You need passion to go the distance. Maybe for them, acting was just a hobby, but I see it as a career. I can’t do anything else. And the work never stops. Even today, I still believe there are many things that I need and want to learn.
HOW MUCH DOES TIMING FACTOR INTO YOUR PROCESS AS AN ACTOR?
Acting is all about timing. That is why you have rehearsals. Granted, you don’t get as much rehearsal time for television productions due to the tight shooting schedules, which is why sometimes you get a sparring partner that you have no chemistry with. But it is crucial in filmmaking. You have to know what your screen partner is like. You need to be in sync with each other; the tempo needs to be right. The emotions, the line delivery, the physical movements… It’s all about timing. If you don’t hit that sweet spot, it will feel off.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING SCENE YOU HAD TO FILM?
It has to be the one from War on Terror: KL Anarchy. There’s one scene where I had to jump from the twelfth to the seventh floor. I did more than 12 jumps on the first day, thinking that we had gotten the shots, only to realise that we had missed some the next day. So I had to go back and hang off the edge of the building, suspended high above the ground with nothing beneath me, just to capture this shot of my hand holding the rope. It took around 10 hours to shoot. Sure, I could’ve let the stunt team do it, but I wanted to do it myself. It is more satisfying that way.
#FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition in Tropical Green.
Aedy wears the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition in Surf Blue.
Eyes on the Prize
FILMMAKING IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT. HOW CRUCIAL IS TIMING IN ENSURING AN EFFICIENT PRODUCTION?
Time is expensive. Our mission at Alpha47 is to change the way the industry works, and that starts with a more respectful approach to time. Coming from a television production background, I can tell you that nobody cares about time. An 8am call time doesn’t always mean an 8am start—sometimes even the director runs late. So if the leaders themselves don’t have any regard for time, how can we expect others to? When it comes to filming, every second is paid for. We’d usually break down our daily expenses to seconds, and every second costs us around RM8!
HOW HAS WORKING BEHIND THE CAMERA CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON FILMMAKING?
It has always been a dream of mine to produce and direct a film. I have recently taken on the role of a producer, in addition to being an actor, for an action film called Tarung: Unforgiven. It is a daunting task since I have never done anything like this before. Leading a team of 80 talented filmmakers has helped me realise that time is precious. Although we’re still in the pre-production phase and will only start principal photography at the end of this month, we have been doing the prep work since last October. We aim to have it out in cinemas next May.
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST HURDLES IN BRINGING THIS FILM TO LIFE SO FAR?
From an actor’s standpoint, since it’s an action role, I have to keep my body fit. As a matter of fact, I have to bulk up a lot. I also have to learn silat to choreograph the action sequences. So having laser focus is imperative for training. As for being a producer, carrying an entire production on my back has been tough, but the support of the Alpha47 team keeps me going. This is an independent film; we’re not backed by any studio, so we have to find investors on our own to make it happen. I’m going to have to get involved in the post-production and marketing as well.
WITH ALL THE MADNESS SURROUNDING YOUR SCHEDULE, WHAT DOES A “NORMAL” DAY EVEN LOOK LIKE FOR YOU THESE DAYS?
My life hasn’t been normal these past 10 months! I feel like I need more than 24 hours in a day. My day typically starts early—I’d wake up at 6am and do my morning prayer. By 7am, I would already be at the gym for a solid two-hour workout before grabbing a quick breakfast and heading to the office. In the afternoon, I would shift gears and focus on choreography training, which runs until 6pm. Once I’m back home, I would spend some time studying my character and organising my schedule for the next day. I’d be in bed by 10pm, ready to rest and recharge.
Time is expensive. Our mission at Alpha47 is to change the way the industry works, and that starts with a more respectful approach to time. Coming from a television production background, I can tell you that nobody cares about time. An 8am call time doesn’t always mean an 8am start—sometimes even the director runs late. So if the leaders themselves don’t have any regard for time, how can we expect others to? When it comes to filming, every second is paid for. We’d usually break down our daily expenses to seconds, and every second costs us around RM8!
HOW HAS WORKING BEHIND THE CAMERA CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON FILMMAKING?
It has always been a dream of mine to produce and direct a film. I have recently taken on the role of a producer, in addition to being an actor, for an action film called Tarung: Unforgiven. It is a daunting task since I have never done anything like this before. Leading a team of 80 talented filmmakers has helped me realise that time is precious. Although we’re still in the pre-production phase and will only start principal photography at the end of this month, we have been doing the prep work since last October. We aim to have it out in cinemas next May.
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST HURDLES IN BRINGING THIS FILM TO LIFE SO FAR?
From an actor’s standpoint, since it’s an action role, I have to keep my body fit. As a matter of fact, I have to bulk up a lot. I also have to learn silat to choreograph the action sequences. So having laser focus is imperative for training. As for being a producer, carrying an entire production on my back has been tough, but the support of the Alpha47 team keeps me going. This is an independent film; we’re not backed by any studio, so we have to find investors on our own to make it happen. I’m going to have to get involved in the post-production and marketing as well.
WITH ALL THE MADNESS SURROUNDING YOUR SCHEDULE, WHAT DOES A “NORMAL” DAY EVEN LOOK LIKE FOR YOU THESE DAYS?
My life hasn’t been normal these past 10 months! I feel like I need more than 24 hours in a day. My day typically starts early—I’d wake up at 6am and do my morning prayer. By 7am, I would already be at the gym for a solid two-hour workout before grabbing a quick breakfast and heading to the office. In the afternoon, I would shift gears and focus on choreography training, which runs until 6pm. Once I’m back home, I would spend some time studying my character and organising my schedule for the next day. I’d be in bed by 10pm, ready to rest and recharge.
#FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition in Surf Blue.
Aedy wears the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition in Heatwave Red.
Life is a Beach
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR DOWNTIME?
I try to go to the beach whenever I can. I’d just hop on my bike and ride as far as I can to try to find one. There’s something about the vast emptiness of the ocean—you don’t know where it ends—that calms me down. It gets my brain processing more clearly. It gives me some sense of serenity in this busy world that we live in. I’m always happy whenever I’m on the pearly white sand. My go-to spot at the moment is just Port Dickson—the nearest one I can find—but my favourite is Perhentian Island. It has been so long since I was last there.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITIES TO DO?
I love surfing. I only get to surf for a total of two weeks a year because of my busy schedule, and it’s not enough. It’s been three years since I started, and I still have not mastered it. It’s a tough sport, and that’s exactly why I keep coming back. Sometimes, I would spend the whole day out there in the ocean and only manage to catch three or four waves. But that moment—after waiting so long—when you finally catch one, even if it’s just a 15-second ride, everything else fades away. That feeling is what keeps me hooked. It’s addictive.
IT SEEMS LIKE YOU’RE THE KIND OF PERSON WHO WORKS HARD AND PLAYS HARDER. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT WORK-LIFE BALANCE?
Honestly, I don’t really understand the work-life balance concept. I understand that sometimes things get tough. Other times, everything feels still like nothing’s happening. But that’s life. So I don’t really subscribe to the work-life balance principle the way other people do. Take Tarung: Unforgiven as an example. It is something that I want to make happen. I might sacrifice the time for my family or friends, but I know that this is not going to last forever—maybe a year and a half at most. After that, I’ll get to rest for two to three months, doing other things that I love.
DO YOU FIND IT IMPORTANT TO MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF SOMETIMES?
Absolutely. It wouldn’t be fair for me to give my time and energy to others—whether in work or in life—if I don’t first make time for myself. Without that space, your mind gets cluttered. It’s hard to think clearly. I’ve been there. A few years ago, my life was so hectic, everything felt out of control—and a big part of that was not giving myself any time to breathe. These days, no matter what I’ve got going on, I always make sure to carve out time for myself. It gives me the clarity I need to make better decisions and to show up fully for the people around me.
I try to go to the beach whenever I can. I’d just hop on my bike and ride as far as I can to try to find one. There’s something about the vast emptiness of the ocean—you don’t know where it ends—that calms me down. It gets my brain processing more clearly. It gives me some sense of serenity in this busy world that we live in. I’m always happy whenever I’m on the pearly white sand. My go-to spot at the moment is just Port Dickson—the nearest one I can find—but my favourite is Perhentian Island. It has been so long since I was last there.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITIES TO DO?
I love surfing. I only get to surf for a total of two weeks a year because of my busy schedule, and it’s not enough. It’s been three years since I started, and I still have not mastered it. It’s a tough sport, and that’s exactly why I keep coming back. Sometimes, I would spend the whole day out there in the ocean and only manage to catch three or four waves. But that moment—after waiting so long—when you finally catch one, even if it’s just a 15-second ride, everything else fades away. That feeling is what keeps me hooked. It’s addictive.
IT SEEMS LIKE YOU’RE THE KIND OF PERSON WHO WORKS HARD AND PLAYS HARDER. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT WORK-LIFE BALANCE?
Honestly, I don’t really understand the work-life balance concept. I understand that sometimes things get tough. Other times, everything feels still like nothing’s happening. But that’s life. So I don’t really subscribe to the work-life balance principle the way other people do. Take Tarung: Unforgiven as an example. It is something that I want to make happen. I might sacrifice the time for my family or friends, but I know that this is not going to last forever—maybe a year and a half at most. After that, I’ll get to rest for two to three months, doing other things that I love.
DO YOU FIND IT IMPORTANT TO MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF SOMETIMES?
Absolutely. It wouldn’t be fair for me to give my time and energy to others—whether in work or in life—if I don’t first make time for myself. Without that space, your mind gets cluttered. It’s hard to think clearly. I’ve been there. A few years ago, my life was so hectic, everything felt out of control—and a big part of that was not giving myself any time to breathe. These days, no matter what I’ve got going on, I always make sure to carve out time for myself. It gives me the clarity I need to make better decisions and to show up fully for the people around me.
#FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition in Heatwave Red.
Meet the #FR2NCK MULLER
Vanguard Beach Limited Edition
The world has been clamouring for the follow-up to the 2023 #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard, and Franck Muller listened. Reuniting with Japanese streetwear brand #FR2, the Swiss watchmaker has unveiled the fun-tastic #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard
Beach Limited Edition, just in time for summer.
The sophomore project sees #FR2’s signature Fxxking Rabbits motif caught mid-romp in whole new settings: under a beach umbrella, on a surfboard, and amongst lush vegetation. Further embodying the watch’s vibrant spirit, the tonneau-shaped case bursts to life in striking shades of Heatwave Red, Surf Blue, and Tropical Green.
This nonchalant attitude, however, in no way signals noncommitment to detail. The watch works as hard as it plays. At the heart of the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition lies the self-winding MVT 2536-SCDT2H movement, delivering a robust 42-hour power reserve.
The sophomore project sees #FR2’s signature Fxxking Rabbits motif caught mid-romp in whole new settings: under a beach umbrella, on a surfboard, and amongst lush vegetation. Further embodying the watch’s vibrant spirit, the tonneau-shaped case bursts to life in striking shades of Heatwave Red, Surf Blue, and Tropical Green.
This nonchalant attitude, however, in no way signals noncommitment to detail. The watch works as hard as it plays. At the heart of the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition lies the self-winding MVT 2536-SCDT2H movement, delivering a robust 42-hour power reserve.
#FR2NCK MULLER
Vanguard Beach
Limited Edition
Surf Blue
RM61,200
Vanguard Beach
Limited Edition
Surf Blue
RM61,200
#FR2NCK MULLER
Vanguard Beach
Limited Edition
Heatwave Red
RM61,200
Vanguard Beach
Limited Edition
Heatwave Red
RM61,200
#FR2NCK MULLER
Vanguard Beach
Limited Edition
Tropical Green
RM61,200
Vanguard Beach
Limited Edition
Tropical Green
RM61,200
The #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition is available across Asia Pacific. Each of the three references is limited to just 300 pieces.
EDITOR-in-CHIEF / JASON LIM
TEXT & VIDEO CONCEPT / NIKITA NAWAWI
CREATIVE DIRECTION, PRODUCT STYLING & LAYOUT DESIGN / sarah tai
STYLING / BENEDICT UNANG
photography / SOON LAU | AWESOME IMAGE STUDIO
videograpHY / DENNIS KHO ASSISTED BY CARL LIM
HAIR & MAKEUP / JENN TEH
WARDROBE / DOLCE & GABBANA, SANDRO & LILANZ
ACCESSORIES / David Beckham Eyewear & GUNG JEWELLERY
TEXT & VIDEO CONCEPT / NIKITA NAWAWI
CREATIVE DIRECTION, PRODUCT STYLING & LAYOUT DESIGN / sarah tai
STYLING / BENEDICT UNANG
photography / SOON LAU | AWESOME IMAGE STUDIO
videograpHY / DENNIS KHO ASSISTED BY CARL LIM
HAIR & MAKEUP / JENN TEH
WARDROBE / DOLCE & GABBANA, SANDRO & LILANZ
ACCESSORIES / David Beckham Eyewear & GUNG JEWELLERY
Credits
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