Exclusive Reza Rahadian Discusses The Role Of Aris That Makes Mothers Angry

Reza Rahadian (Photo: MD Pictures Collection, DI: Raga/VOI)

JAKARTA - The name Reza Rahadian is being hunted by fans of the Layangan Putus series. Every new episode airs, the owner of the full name Reza Rahadian Matulessy is included in the trending topic, not because he is loved, this time Reza makes women angry.

Layangan Putus tells the story of the problems of a third person in the household relationship of Aris (Reza Rahadian) and Kinan (Putri Marino). They have been blessed with a daughter named Raya and are expecting their second child.

Aris is the husband of Kinan. At first, Aris was always very romantic to his wife. However, he slowly began to change. Aris is often late for work and rarely gives news to Kinan. Not only that, but Aris also often became angry with Kinan after feeling that his wife was aware of his infidelity.

This story is based on the fact that Mommy ASF went viral on Twitter. When ASF made a link about her husband's infidelity story, netizens were furious when Reza plays Aris.

Reza Rahadian (Photo: MD Pictures Collection, DI: Raga/VOI)

Even though it made the virtual world excited, Reza admitted that at first, he didn't know the viral story. "I don't know at all that this Layangan Putus is very popular on social media. Because I'm not very active on social media, so I don't know," said Reza while talking to VOI at MD Place, Kuningan, South Jakarta, some time ago.

Aris, he continued, is the head of the family who is active at work. "Trying to build a family that is considered ideal by people. Convincing others that his family is happy. That Aris then finds it difficult to identify himself, finds it difficult to know what he wants, begins to question where happiness is, and what shape it is. Kites Break up," he said.

When offered the role of Aris, Reza still didn't know about the popularity of the Layangan Putus, which made the mothers angry. "I don't know, I want to play because the story is purely interesting. I like Aris's character, it's been done," said the actor who was born on March 5, 1987.

Manoj Punjabi, CEO, and Producer of MD Pictures was the one to tell that this story went viral. "Mr. Manoj was the one who informed me that this Layangan Putus was viral. Surprisingly very interesting. It has the potential to go worldwide," he said.

Reza Rahadian (Photo: MD Pictures Collection, DI: Raga/VOI)

From the very beginning, Reza was sure that this series would find love in the hearts of the audience. "First, I like the poster design, which in my opinion is the best poster design in the series from MD. All the expressions of the players don't pose for photos. All of them have sharp expressions," he said.

The story of infidelity in the household, according to him, has no boundaries between religion and state. Everyone can feel the same. This is what makes Reza determined to take the role of Aris.

Even so, Reza realized that his role could make the audience hate him. "I'm not worried when the role that I play makes me hated. Because this is a role, the more I hate it, the more I act," he explained.

Before his name went viral every new episode of Layangan Putus was aired, Reza Rahadian was already hated by the female crew on the set. "It felt like all the women on set hated me," he recalls.

In acting, Reza's acting ability is no longer in question. His role in the film received many audiences as well as many awards. When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, the stuttering was reversed by Reza who appeared in the My Lecturer My Husband series.

The role-play with Prilly Latuconsina suddenly made everyone who couldn't go to the cinema gasp and glance at the series. Even mothers are willing to seek and subscribe to Over The Top (OTT) services.

The Future of Series and Movies Won't Collide

Reza Rahadian (Photo: Reza Rahadian Collection, DI: Raga/VOI)

Reza saw an opportunity in the midst of a deadlock at the beginning of the pandemic, when cinemas were closed. "Series has a pretty bright future, I think. We know that the public has new experiences. What's not new in this pandemic era? We also know a new normal after going through this pandemic. So maybe the choice to watch through a different medium is a new choice for the community. And the series promises that," he explained.

Optimistically, he believes that a good story and well-maintained production quality will increase the audience for the series. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the manufacturing process.

"He has an episodic show but it's not too long. From seasons one and two, he can have a long pause so he has quite a long production preparation. So product-wise, the content of this work is neater, more thoughtful from all aspects. So The audience will have a different experience," he said.

His passion for acting, whatever the medium, made Reza a pioneer in the success of the series he starred in. The point is, always total in acting.

"I don't have any special considerations, I've never divided where I work. On stage, yes, in soap operas, although it's rare. I'm a person who doesn't like to classify myself as a film actor, so I'll just be in films," he said.

"For me, the medium of acting is just a matter of medium. Film, series, stage have their own medium. For me, I enjoy everything in the name of acting," he added.

Reza Rahadian (Photo: MD Pictures Collection, DI: Raga/VOI)

The success of the series, he continued, will not replace feature films. Reza never worried that people would be reluctant to go to the cinema after they were comfortable watching them at OTT.

"Series cannot be equated with films because films have their own experience in theaters. It's difficult for me to watch movies in theaters at OTT. Because the viewing experience is different," he said.

Reza believes that films will always have a place in the hearts of their fans. The proof is, during the pandemic, four Indonesian films won the highest awards at the world's best film festivals

Edwin through his work 'Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash' became the winner of the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival. Kamila Andini through the work of 'Yuni', won the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Tumpal Tampubolon through the work 'Laut Memanggilku', won the Sonje Award at the Busan International Film Festival. Monica Tedja through her work 'Dear to Me', won the Junior Jury Award-Special Mention Open Doors Shorts at the Locarno Film Festival.

Reza excitedly explained his optimism. "This pandemic brings extraordinary gifts to the individual creators. Because in my opinion, maybe, on the other hand, we can see someone when he is squeezed in a situation, that will be born from that crush is one slumped or he rises. Usually when he gets up something will give birth which is above average. And it is proven in the Indonesian film industry. We can rise," he said with enthusiasm.

"Imagine, 4 films, two short films, 3 feature films get awards at major festivals in the world. This is not a festival that we don't understand, this is a festival with a clear track record. A legit, historic festival," he added.

Reza Rahadian (Photo: Reza Rahadian Collection, DI: Raga/VOI)

The resulting pause due to a period of social activity restrictions gives creators room to maximize their work. That is Reza's belief.

"Because maybe our creativity grows, we have longer contemplation time. In the beginning, production may decline, but when production declines, the creativity of film people continues. extraordinary," he said.

In line with improving the quality of Indonesian films, Reza, who serves as Chair of the Indonesian Film Festival Committee for the period 2021-2023, is very enthusiastic about presenting new actors as winners.

"I'm very happy, it's an extraordinary happiness. That's my dream. I often hear the words of Indonesian actors that there is no regeneration. Oh, that's all, FFI answered that. Who said that?" he said.

As if rolling out a carpet to make it easier for talented young actors, Reza openly wishes them success. There is no intention of being a rival or fear of being rivaled.

"Now we see that in the film series there are talented young actors. The responsibility of course goes back to the actor himself, how he maintains the opportunity. Keep on sharpening his abilities, because no one can guarantee it but yourself," he explained.

Reza Rahadian through FFI emphasized that regeneration is very happening. "After there is a new winner, the problem is that people want to see and give it a chance or not. I'm not saying I am the one who gave it a chance. Because the opportunity is based on the jury's assessment. But the spirit is in FFI," he concluded.