Exclusive Denira Wiraguna Struggles To Find Happiness Through Acting

Denira Wiraguna (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

JAKARTA - Denira Wiraguna has returned to play in a horror film entitled Kutukan Sembilan Setan which has been airing since early June. He plays Lia, one of five best friends who experience terrible things while going on vacation.

Despite playing in several horror film titles, Denira Wiraguna claims to be a coward. However, the true events that became the basis for the story in the Kutukan Sembilan Setan, made Denira not hesitate to return to playing in horror films.

"At that time I knew very well that this film was based on true story, and I had a chance to chat with Mas Very Barus. At that time I was offered to be Sarah's character. Then I tried to send a video for the screen test, suddenly one and another thing I waswitched for Lia's character," said Denira Wiraguna while visiting the VOI office in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta recently.

"And when I waswitched, it turned out that I like it and can explore a lot in this Lia character. And I'm excited because this is based on true story and the story is fresh. This is my first film based on true story," he continued.

Denira sees that the easy fear that she has is an advantage in itself. The reason is, he can be more natural when acting and be faced with fear when he sees spirits.

"For me, my fear can be an honesty to play this film. Because of that fear, you don't have to get tired of looking for fear and tension, because you already feel that feeling yourself," he said.

Often playing in horror and drama genre films alternately, Denira also did not find any serious problems. However, he admitted that the scene in horror films required him to prepare for extra physics. Not infrequently filming makes him more tired, even suffering from injuries or bruises.

Even so, the 23-year-old actress could not make a decision when asked to choose between drama and horror. He admitted that he liked the process offered by the two genres.

Actually, both of them are cool, only each has its own challenge. If it's horror, it's a challenge to the physical one. So, if you're told to choose drama or horror, maybe I'm both, because I can't choose," he said.

At a young age, Denira Wiraguna has starred in no less than 45 titles, be it films, web series, soap operas to FTV. This achievement started 8 years ago, when he was still in high school.

Previously, Denira Wiraguna had participated in modeling events several times for teenagers. Fully supported by her mother, Denira, who at that time won in one of the fashion shows, received an offer from one of the production houses.

The opportunity was not wasted. With the initial intention of adding to the experience, Denira, who was contracted exclusively by one of the production houses, began acting on the small screen.

Starting a career in the entertainment world since teenagers is not easy for Denira. Moreover, he admitted that at that time he was not good enough to hang out with people he had just met. Feeling challenged and responsible for his job, Denira actually found acting as his passion.

"So, I'm more or less looking for experience, but it turns out that I like (acting). So yes, that's it, it's even a job and passion," said Denira.

However, Denira admitted that the early career in the acting world was not easy. With the soap opera shooting schedule that is not ideal enough, he is also required to keep up with working time and school.

"At that time the working hours were not as good as now. Go home from filming at 5 or 6 am, then change your clothes immediately because you have to go to school. And that's another permit around 10 o'clock because you go straight to the location again," said Denira.

"So, his working hours are not as regular as they are now. Especially in the past, I had to play a character who had to go into the water, change clothes, block the hair, and it took quite a while. It was also quite physically draining," he continued.

Find Happiness Through Acting

Feeling tired of doing work and school at the same time did not make Denira Wiraguna want to end her acting career. Instead, she felt like continuing to develop as an actress and look for new experiences in her world of work.

"But I never thought of quitting acting, instead I felt happy and thought I had to keep on (acting). I feel like I have to develop and look for more experiences," said Denira.

"I even had time to think whether I should be homeschooling or if I should take the school home or something. In fact, I think like that, I don't want to stop leaving the entertainment," he added.

Schools that are places for education seem not ideal enough for Denira. Although he admits that many friends provide support, not a few students and teachers at schools are not supportive enough with his career as an actress.

However, Denira never ran away from this problem. He managed to complete his mandatory education, and even continued to higher education. For Denira, what she experienced as a teenager was something that made her determined to continue acting.

"I really had that moment, and if I didn't experience that moment maybe mentally I wouldn't have formed until now at this point, and I probably wouldn't have been able to have the life experience that my friends had before. So, I'm grateful too and indeed the experience that shaped me like this," he said.

Denira admitted that the difficult times when she had to divide the time between work and school would not be successfully passed without the support of those closest to her. He said that his parents were the most supportive people with his acting career.

'Supports from friends around, family, especially parents. Incidentally, I'm an only child, so the 100 percent support is family, mom and dad. Incidentally, mom and dad support my career. And you could say that Mama is also accompanying me as a manager. So, one of the things that makes me strong is one of them," said Denira.

A struggle that is not easy for Denira to find happiness in what she does today. Currently, his name can be seen in many titles as the main character.

"I believe that the process will not betray the results. I really feel where I come from scratch, I can't act yet, I haven't got a big part yet, until finally I can at this point and have experiences from that process," he said.

Although he does not know what will happen in the future, Denira, who now sees acting as his passion and pleasure, believes that he will be in the world of acting for a long time.

"Most likely I will continue my career even though I am married. Even though it's not as intense as now, I will continue. Because after all this is my passion, I like to act, I like to meet many people," said Denira.

This work is also a challenge for my personality, which is actually a bit difficult to meet many people, but I've been happy here for a long time, and this is my passion. So, like it or not, I actually have to choose. But for time too. So, I won't leave 100 percent of the world of acting," he continued.

Talking about her dream as an actress, Denira hopes that one day she will get the opportunity to play in a biopic and play a big national character.

"I want to get characters that can be explored, one of which may be a biopic character, who plays an influential figure or an important figure in Indonesia. But, so far I want to explore a lot about the lives that relate first," he said.

Denira Wiraguna also has a message for teenagers who want to have a career in the world of acting. For him, the determination and enthusiasm to continue learning and seek new experiences is the most important. However, he also hopes that there will be a good support system for those who want to start an early acting career.

"Strongly strengthen your mind and mind. If you are tired and want to give up at work, don't give up, because that is what must be passed. Because that is the process. Wherever you want to go, want to go to school, you want to work anywhere, there must be an unpleasant experience, "concluded Denira Wiraguna.