Veteran Actress Rosnani Criticises Producers For Underpaying Veteran Artistes

SHAH ALAM, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Veteran actress Datuk Rosnani Jamil, affectionately known as ‘Mak Nani,’ has spoken out against producers who continue to underpay veteran artistes.

 Despite retiring in 2016 after a career spanning six decades, the 88-year-old actress still receives acting offers but finds many offers disrespectful.

“Mak (Mak Nani) still receives acting offers, but imagine someone offering me RM1,000 for one scene. It’s not just me; many other veteran artistes are also disrespected by these producers,” she said.

 Mak Nani recounted one particular experience with a major production that sought her involvement in a programme discussing a prominent figure in the industry.

 "The programme was later sold—not to Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) or TV3, where I wouldn't mind not being paid, but for business purposes—yet they offered me only RM500. I’m sorry; that’s unacceptable," she said.

She shared these insights at the launch of her English-language autobiography, ‘From Sungai Geringging to the City of London: An Intimate Portrait of a Movie Star’, here.

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 Rosnani, who was awarded Best Actress at the 1984 Malaysian Film Festival, said she voiced her concerns not only for herself but for other veteran artistes, particularly those who are struggling.

“It’s not just about me; many veteran actors are also living in hardship and have to accept whatever offers they get, sometimes earning only RM60 or RM70 a day, while top actors are paid tens of thousands.

“Producers and directors don’t value supporting (senior) roles from veteran artistes. Even a single scene with a veteran supporting actor can be very important—without that person, the story wouldn’t come together,” she said.

As a former film director herself, Rosnani hopes that more producers will step forward to appreciate veteran artistes by offering them acting opportunities with fair compensation, matching their experience and capabilities compared to newer artistes.

Commenting on her autobiography, which was translated into English by Mariam Ash'ari Becker, Rosnani said she hopes that the English edition will allow a broader audience to connect with her story and experience.

The book, which chronicles her journey from Sungai Geringging, West Sumatra, Indonesia, to Singapore, and ultimately to London to study film, has been published in 500 copies, priced at RM150 each.

In 2019, her autobiography in Malay, titled ‘Dari Sungai Geringging ke Kota London’, sold 1,000 copies.

-- BERNAMA