Exclusive! Rano Karno Can Completely Let Go Of Si Doel Anak Betawi Character

Rano Karno (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

JAKARTA - Every time you mention Rano Karno's name, the image of Si Doel Anak Betawi (Doel From Betawi) will stick. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to call Rano as Mr. Doel. The role he played from childhood to adulthood made the figure of Rano himself seem to be forgotten.

This is not a bad sign, but it looks like Rano's quality of acting and consistency in playing Si Doel is very well received by fans. The metamorphosis of his role has made Rano also have tiered fans, up to four generations to date.

It seems that no other actor in Indonesia can match this achievement. But there was no party that didn't end, Rano finally chose to end his role as Si Doel in the film End of Si Doel's Love Story in 2018. The choice between Zaenab or Sarah, which made the audience feel confused, ended.

The ending of the story allows Rano to move forward. The man who was born on October 8, 1960, can completely let go of the character of Si Doel Anak Betawi. In the film Ada Mertua di Rumahku which aired on KlikFilm starting last January 14, Rano played Bambang, the father-in-law of Roger Danuarta and Cut Meyriska who came from East Java.

Rano Karno (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

"When I first brought the screenplay for this film, I was surprised. I know very well that this story is for OTT KlikFilm. What I know is, OTT is segmented, the audience is more millennial. Now, I see KlikFilm dare to raise a drama with the story of the in-laws," said Rano when the VOI team met him at his residence, Lebak Bulus, Monday, January 17th.

"According to the title, it means that the main role is the father-in-law, which means the parent character, right. So for me, this is one point of KlikFilm's courage to provide an alternative spectacle to the audience so that there is variety," he continued.

The film Ada Mertua Di Rumahku tells the story of a couple who want to marry, Irfan and Nirmala. Ahead of the wedding, an old man named Bambang pleaded with Nirmala to accept Nirmala as her father again. Bambang is indeed Nirmala's biological father, but he has succeeded in becoming the most annoying father in the world! Bambang is a lazy person, which makes him resentful.

The peak of Nirmala's anger was that, a month after her mother died, Bambang sold the house which was bought with her late mother's money. At that time, Nirmala and Bambang had a verbal war. After the sale of the house had run out, I didn't know what to do, as a result, Bambang came to Nirmala's house, who, according to Bambang, was the best child. Bambang was forced to live in Nirmala's house, which was still rented.

After Irfan and Nirmala became husband and wife, the two of them lived at Irfan's house. Bambang was told to live in Nirmala's rented house, Nirmala would give him monthly payment. Unfortunately, Bambang was upset that he was kicked out of the rented house and wanted to live with Irfan and Nirmala.

Rano Karno (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

According to Rano, the story of Ada Mertua Di Rumahku is interesting and different from the films he has acted in. "First, I was interested in the story. Then while reading, we met. What is unclear is about the character of the scenario, I asked, which person's father-in-law is this? People know that I am Betawi. Then my daughter Cut is an Acehnese. I asked, where are we from? If we know the culture, we will know how to fill the character," he said.

The director of the film explained that according to the name of the character, Bambang, then Rano will play the role of a father-in-law from Java. "Where's Java? Surabaya. Incidentally, when I read it, this was a sitcom. So my style was Srimulat. At that time I was fat. So I appeared with a hat without losing weight, I became Bambang," he recalls.

The first time he played a role with Roger Danuarta and Cut Meyriska, Rano admitted that he was challenged. As a character player, meeting new characters will form new characters.

"That's one of my challenges. I also choose stories, only if I don't like it, I don't like it. Incidentally, when I was offered this story, I liked it. I was told that I will act with Roger Danuarta and Cut Meyriska, I know their love story in real life. So, I make a joke for them, is this their true story huh?" he explained.

According to him, Roger Danuarta and Cut Meyriska are good actors. "Honestly, I met them for the first time in this story. I only knew more or less about them, how they got married. So it was very easy to fill in the story," said Rano Karno.

GOODBYE DOEL

Rano Karno (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

Not only the film Ada Mertua Di Rumahku, but Rano Karno has also finished shooting the film Pelangi Tanpa Warna which will be released in theaters on February 3. Again, Rano is out of Si Doel's character.

The difference is, this time he was paired with Maudy Koesnady who became his wife. Out of their comfort zone, despite being paired again, Rano Karno and Maudy Koesnaedi no longer play the characters of Si Doel and Zaenab.

This film itself tells the story of Fedi (Rano Karno), whose beautiful marriage plan is ruined because his wife has Alzheimer's disease. From day to day, Kirana (Maudy Koesnaedi) keeps forgetting all the simple to the most important things in her life.

The situation turned so full of emotions that it seemed as if the calm in the house disappeared, then replaced with endless sadness. Fedi continues to be tested with Kirana's condition which is getting worse day by day. The household duties that were originally held by the wife, are now fully charged to him.

How does Rano Karno feel after completely letting go of Si Doel? "Actually, I don't want to mention the title. Actually, I have played in soap operas not as Si Doel, but still Betawi culture. This is indeed a bit different, the story no longer plays Si Doel who is quiet, cool, and all kinds of things," he explained.

The significant difference in the role of Si Doel made Rano Karno willing to play in the film. "That's precisely what attracted me. I was able to get out of Si Doel's character with this character. It was quite complete with the character I played," he explained.

Rano Karno (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

Before deciding to join a film story, Rano really considered the character he would be living. "First, I read that the character does not suit me. I am already 61 years old. It is impossible for me to be a teenage character. If for example, I accepted a character as a high school student, I did not want to. That's why I am not afraid to appear fat and what it is," he said.

"From the moment I read the story, I already knew how to fill in the character. Then when I was reading I emphasized that I did not interfere in the creative process. But as a player I have the right to ask, which culture does this character use?" he continued.

It is undeniable that Rano Karno's authority as a director makes the director who directs him a little less concerned. Rano admitted that he was often asked by the director who directed his role.

"I'm often asked, 'Uncle, is it ok yet?'

Rano Karno (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

Having 88 titles in filmography since 1971 is definitely not a small career. The 6 Citra Cups from FFI are proof of the seriousness of Rano Karno's acting. Still added with 10 soap opera titles that he starred in, Rano Karno is a Living Legend of Indonesian films. Filming systems have changed many times, but Rano Karno is irreplaceable.

"I've been very lucky to go through those phases. And what's so unfortunate is that kids today aren't in that phase. What are the consequences? They disappear quickly. We can't see that star on television for more than two years. She's beautiful, he's handsome. but they can't understand what acting is?" he explained.

Based on personal experience, Rano was once asked by a young actor who questioned the purpose of studying acting. "I was asked why studying acting again? Why study again when you are already popular? I'm sad to see it. Each of these stars can't last two years, I'm nervous," he said.

"I went through a very difficult phase to make films. How films were made with celluloid with very simple technology, but modern at that time. The director never gave a 1:3 shooting ratio. What does that mean? We can't crack more than three times. Because the raw materials are expensive. So it requires strict training. Sorry, the players used to like to practice. One scene can be practiced ten times," he said.

"Now we shoot, we can see the monitor, we can just use a cellphone. So as a player we have to know, what size camera is this? So we know the space for movement. For example, there is a player who is asked to close up, he just keeps moving his head like a drunk person. know about it. In fact, technology now is much more advanced than before. But content is considered unimportant," he continued.

In fact, according to Rano Karno, the content will not change even if technology changes. Through OTT, the potential of Indonesian films can go global faster.

"I know by hearing, but I don't know data-wisely about Indonesian serials that are worldwide. Whether the world audience is watching or the Indonesian people outside are watching. But the last time I heard Layangan Putus was watched 15 million times in one broadcast. Wow, I'm very proud," he said.

Rano Karno hopes that the creative industry will develop in Indonesia well. "This is content. If outsiders want to see Indonesian films, they see the culture. Not the lifestyle. If the lifestyle, it is like an outsider, outside is much better. But if you are given a stronger culture, I'm sure it will be developed," he said.

"Kimchi, that's South Korean culture. In every film and drama there is kimchi. But in Indonesian films, we don't dare to make a declaration about what Indonesia is? When it comes to Korea, the government supports it, that's why there is Kpop. Indonesia has not, so we need synergy between the government," explained Rano Karno.