The meteoric rise of Mierul Aiman is a sight to see. Exuding star power from the onset of his career, he hits the rare trifecta that positions him as the ideal, new-gen leading man: brain, brawn, and beauty. In BURO Malaysia’s September cover story, the actor talks about acting, fame, and redefining the ‘Hero Malaya’ archetype.

Trying to pin down a time with Mierul Aiman at times seems like a barren pursuit, not unlike working on a puzzle of extreme complexity and elusive visual cues, whose pieces refuse to come together. The parts are scattered, and the ones already in place feel so tightly interlocked that there is no wiggle room to be found. It appears that everybody wants a piece of the actor—the beautiful curse of becoming one of the entertainment industry’s hottest commodities.

Examining the thread of messages detailing his prior engagements, which include multiple campaign projects and television appearances, one can’t help but wonder if the 27-year-old might be spreading himself too thin. That is not counting the fact that the film he has in the works began principal photography just two days after our cover shoot. Mierul, who ambles into the studio ahead of the agreed call time, has the perfect response to this.

BACK TO THE BEGINNING

“I’m enjoying it. It sort of has become my daily routine,” he says. The reaction may seem blasé to some, but do not mistake his neatly measured words for nonchalance. It does not escape him for one moment that the success he is basking in today is owed to the equally hardworking individuals standing behind him. “I am so lucky to have such a strong management team that thoughtfully arranges my schedule so that I can focus on acting, which truly feeds my soul,” his face lights up.

Mierul, in all seriousness, is living his dream. The discovery of performance art had shaped his formative years, allowing him to embrace his creative side. He has come a long way since the innocent days when he would put on little plays for his old folks. “There was a time when my siblings and I would perform the tale of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat to our parents,” he reminisces. Being the eldest son, Mierul, naturally, would veto his way into the leading role.

“It felt like a safe space—a fantasy world I can invite people into,” he takes us back to his childhood. His fascination with filmmaking can be traced back to the time when he started watching local films. Bade Hj. Azmi’s Gangster, in particular, had left an indelible mark on the young and impressionable Mierul. “I watched it when I was 11 years old. I remember being in awe of Datuk Rosyam Nor, who played three different characters in the movie,” he recalls.

This adolescent predilection over time grew into something resembling a passion. During his college years, Mierul decided to take the first step into his professional acting endeavour, signing up for weekend theatre classes. “I used to work as a delivery rider to pay for the classes, which cost RM200 a month,” he opens up. His hustle paid off in spades when he applied that knowledge to his audition for Hero Remaja, a televised talent show, and clinched the win.

Six years have passed since his crowning as culture’s newest obsession. Mierul has proven himself worthy of the recognition. Having taken big swings in his career choices, going from action flicks like Projek: High Council to rom-coms like Seadanya Kita, he has made clear that he is not one to coast on his good looks and the goodwill of others. His commitment to the craft will once again be on display in his latest outing, Tarung: Unforgiven.

While details of the film are still kept under wraps, Mierul succumbs to his own excitement and hints at what awaits his fans. “It’s chaotic, action-packed, and epic. It’s a story that I think Malaysian audiences who love action films will really enjoy,” his eyes beam with anticipation. Divulging on his creative process for the project, the actor recounts the two months of intensive prep work covering combat choreography and acting drills that he had to partake in.

PLAYING THE PART

“The director, Razaisyam Rashid, is very particular about the kind of performance he wants,” he reveals about the acting classes the cast is subjected to. The goal is not to overlook small but crucial details that can make or break a scene. “So we worked with our acting coach, Khairul Azwan Rozi, to help us fine-tune everything,” he explains. Even with the foundation of theatre beneath him, Mierul admits that performing for the camera is a different beast altogether.

“They are two different media that require different sets of skills,” he says after taking a beat. “Theatre is meant to be played to a niche audience that understands its energy, while film is meant to reach mass audiences. That’s why we have a lot more restrictions when it comes to filmmaking,” he adds. So do not expect Mierul to pick one over the other. To him, each fulfils different parts of storytelling—two chapters of the same book—and ultimately himself.

Life in the limelight is not always what it’s cracked up to be. The barometer of success for an actor hinges on far more than talent alone—timing, opportunity, and connections play a significant role. A touch of luck goes a long way. Few have the good fortune to hit it big and at breakneck speed like Mierul did, let alone the luxury of choosing the roles they actually want. Even if the stars align, getting passed over for the shiny new toy is an inherent possibility, a risk every actor has to take every day.

“I don’t know. I don’t really believe in competition,” he murmurs into the recorder. It is a refreshingly candid outlook, given the fact that his career was launched on a reality TV competition. “I just want to grow as an artist. I feel like if we have the mindset to gain more skills and we know the direction in which we are going, we will be stronger in our story,” he theorises. As things stand, Mierul still considers himself ‘a speck of dust that wants to be better.’

SUCH IS LIFE

But what happens when the sheen of novelty wears off? Mierul, despite his fledgling presence in the industry, is wise beyond his years. Armed with a degree in mechanical engineering, he moves within the industry not with aimless steps but assured strides. “I believe in having a plan. It is the only way you can improvise effectively,” he asserts. “Engineering is my backup plan. It guarantees stability and reduces my anxiety about the future,” he adds.

That said, Mierul has no intention of taking the challenges hurled his way lying down. He recently teased a special project on his social media that alluded to him branching out beyond acting. “To be a true creator, you need to engage with different forms of art, exploring other areas within the artistic system to help grow your skills,” he prefaces his answer. “I have always loved fashion, so I’m currently working on a streetwear brand called Dream Kid,” he announces.

“For me, it’s about building interaction with my fans,” he discloses his intention. The practical experience he acquired producing merchandise for his fans emboldened him to take the leap of faith. “I want them to feel that I’m always with them, and in return, feel that they are always with me. I never want my fans to feel left out of my journey,” he says. Slated to launch next month, Dream Kid is envisioned at the intersection of fashion and filmmaking.

To illustrate his point, Mierul has tapped his Project: High Council co-star Nadhir Nasar to direct a short fashion film introducing the brand, while he takes on the role of the producer. All the characters will be wearing Dream Kid, and each look from the collection will be tied to a specific moment in the film, with a code on his website that links to the exact timestamp of its appearance. It is Mierul’s way of connecting the clothing with the story.

Many dream of being anointed as the new-gen leading man, but heavy hangs the head that wears the crown. Behind the curtain of glamour lies an endless cycle of scrutiny, each decision dissected and every move watched. It comes with a fine print that some do not even realise they have signed. Mierul recently had a taste of sobering reality when his stance on the suggestion that his films are exacerbating bad behaviour amongst youngsters started making headlines.

“Filmmakers have to be responsible. We shouldn’t abuse the power of visual storytelling by focusing only on the problems. A film should provide resolutions so audiences can take away something meaningful,” he offers a nuanced reflection. He also does not keep mum when asked about the knee-jerk reactions by those at the end of the spectrum. “Audiences should approach films openly—not just to find faults, but to see the lessons they carry,” he pleads.

A BALANCING ACT

While the weight of expectation can take a toll on the best of us, Mierul chooses to reframe it as another dimension of his life that he needs to learn to live with. “Of course, I think about how people perceive my actions because I’m doing this for them—to tell stories that connect,” he elaborates on the matter. “But it doesn’t mean I lose myself in the process. I just want to live my dream. I just want to work,” his eyes soften under the fluorescent lamp.

Mierul also shrugs off the cutting comments that he is being pigeonholed as the muscle-for-hire who carries more ammo than emotional depth. “I want to be part of good stories above all else—stories that feel true and close to me so I can live the character instead of just wearing it,” he says. “While I’m known for action, I’m very interested in slice-of-life stories because they reflect the real Malaysian life regardless of genre,” he adds, optimistic about what lies ahead.