Not a lot of Westerners know who Hairul Azreen is. If those same people are even remotely into what I and those in my demographic are when it comes to films, they would he in for a lovely surprise, endulging in some of Azreen’s more recent hits like Paskal, Wira and The Assistant. He’s got a few more credits in bound including patriotic war thriller Malbatt: Misi Bakara and Syamsul Yusof’s The Original Gangster as well, and to that end, that will be the end of Azreen’s acting career as of Monday’s annoucements.
According to Malaysian/English-language news outlet The Star via radio station 3 Pagi Era, Azreen (35) is ending his career, citing that while he’s played numerous roles, he’s crowning the Adrian Teh-directed Malbatt as his biggest achievement yet. He also added “God has granted me numerous opportunities, but I haven’t been good at being grateful…”
Azreen did take a bit of a nasty spill earlier this year as well while on the set of The Original Gangster, when it was reported from the same website back in February that a serious knee injury forced him to go on hiatus with the expectation that he would hopefully return to film. It’s understandable, considering the strain that doing physical action in film and television puts on performers, and inevitably, there’s only so much abuse the human body can take, no matter how young.
Some of Azreen’s other screen credits include Abang Long Fadil 3, Operasi X and action sequel Polis Evo 2, in addition to debut-directing back-to-back horror comedies Ada Hantu (There Are Ghosts) and Ada Hantu 2 in the last few years. If action and thrills are your speed though, guaranteed Paskal, Wira and The Assistant are more than worthy of your consumption. Malbatt: Misi Bakara opens later this week in Malaysia, while Yusof’s currently in-production The Original Gangster is on par for next year.
We at Film Combat Syndicate wish Azreen and his family all the best!
Watch his announcement below.
