Exclusive Tessa Mariska remembers starring in a Malaysian film with Ashraf Sinclair

JAKARTA - Tessa Mariska got a valuable and proud experience when she was chosen to be the cast of the film Syetan Munafik which was produced in Malaysia. This mystery film also became a memory of her acting with the late Ashraf Sinclair.

Syetan Munafik has been shown in Malaysia on December 21, 2023. However, in Indonesia, the film only premiered on December 25, 2025 yesterday at CGV.

"This film is a 100% production is a production of the Malaysian state. All the players are 98%, players, crew, producers, all from Malaysia. So I was only contracted because I was connected and cast at that time," Tessa Mariska opened up in a special interview with VOI in Central Jakarta.

The experience of filming with Ashraf Sinclair is an unforgettable thing for Tessa. Moreover, this is the late actor's last film before leaving in 2020. He was amazed by Ashraf's kindness while on location.

"This is Ashraf Sinclair's last film. And thank God I can play with a big star in my opinion. Which is Malaysia and Indonesia. Indonesian artists are only 2%. Well, there I see a figure of Asap Singkler is a patient person, a cool person. I'm really happy to be able to play with him," said Tessa.

Tessa also witnessed the closeness of Ashraf and BCL which was so warm. He revealed that Unge was loyal to accompany the actor who in his eyes was far from the impression of being arrogant.

"Ashraf was previously in the BCL. BCL is very loyal to Ashraf. But there I could see that Ashraf is a really handsome figure. In the big screen film, Ashraf looks really cool. And I really appreciate it. He is a player who is not arrogant either, especially he knows I'm from Indonesia. He is from Malaysia. He is very welcome to me," he recalled.

Even though it has just aired in Indonesia, the filming process for this film according to Tessa has been carried out since 2012. He told the experience during filming in Malaysia was very memorable. Moreover, there he came as a guest from a neighboring country.

"One thing I like about the Malaysian crew there. One. We are really made as professional as possible. We are really appreciated. Because he knows, maybe yes. He knows we are invited by their producers. Invited by their citizens," said Tessa Mariska.

Deepening the Role and Challenges

In this film, Tessa plays the character of a famous singer named Susana. In addition to being known as a stage star, this role is also associated with her sexy character.

He again remembered the casting moment, which was also attended by several famous singers. When his name was announced as the actor who was chosen, he felt proud because his competition was considered heavy.

"I was honest at that time. There were more or less castings. Professional singers. And there I was chosen. That's according to me. Oh, I'm really proud. Maybe because I had already played a movie in Indonesia before, Hantu Mupeng which was very popular at that time until it was demoed at Bundaran HI," he said.

Regarding character development, Tessa Mariska admitted that she did not experience many obstacles. In addition to having also been a dangdut singer, she also received clear instructions from the director.

"I didn't have a hard time deepening that character. Moreover, there was also an assistant who taught me. I was given, taught me this way. I thought oh yeah it's natural. But the other day, the premiere, one theater applauded as soon as I appeared. "

The interaction with the Malaysian actors also went smoothly. Although there were slight language differences, Tessa admitted that she was very accepted there, so the filming process which lasted three months felt enjoyable.

"I don't think the players will find it difficult. Especially the players in Syetan Munafik. All the big actors from Malaysia, they are really welcome to me, they really appreciate me. Yes, their language, even though we are Malaysians, we can speak a little Malay," said the artist who went viral because of the parody video of Agnez Mo's song.

Before in Indonesia, Syetan Munafik had been shown in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. In Malaysia alone, Tessa revealed that the film lasted the longest in the cinema, namely 21 days.

Tessa feels this film must be watched in the cinema, because it has a package and a story plot that is not boring. Apart from the film being filmed about 13 years ago,

"Because the scene is packaged in such a way. Everything is packaged, there is a joke, there is a scream of fear and laughter, there is a riddle and the end of the story is answered. That's what I think he was invited to think. So that the audience doesn't fall asleep. Now many watch movies, we watch movies suddenly the gun is finished, there are lights and eyes. Because the movie is not interesting. Well, this is an interesting movie, I guarantee you won't fall asleep.

At the end of the session, Tessa Mariska also gave a clue that she would return to filming with the production team from Malaysia.

"God willing, they are producing again. And their production is about a public figure there. Well, that's a legend film I'm also involved in," he leaked.