Exclusive Yayan Ruhian: Taklukan Dunia Via Pencak Silat Dan Actor

Yayan Ruhian (VOI)

JAKARTA - Who doesn't know Yayan Ruhian? His name has gone ahead of his mother in the international arena. He is side by side with a line of Hollywood actors such as Keanu Reeves and Harrison Ford. Uniquely, he came not as a person who was involved in acting. But it has not felt like he has been one of the actors who has been able to bring Indonesia to be known to the world.

This year, he returned with his third film entitled Mat Kilau: Awakening Heroes. He was directed by Syamsul Yusof, one of the well-known directors in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

"This is a matter of pride for me to be part of a work in 11 days to be the first film to get the biggest acquisition so far," Yayan Ruhian told VOI with enthusiasm.

Until this writing circulated, Mat Kilau earned 53 million ringgit in 13 days and was named the most successful Malaysian film in film history. As a film that takes the character of a historical figure, this film is appreciated by the Malaysian people. This was witnessed by Yayan Ruhian himself when doing roadshows to several cities.

This is a work that was really released and welcomed by the extraordinary community. And I feel this aura reminds us of our second film - The Raid. People welcomed him like this but moreover," he said at the VOI Office, Tanah Abang, Tuesday, July 5.

Mat Kilau is a Malaysian fighter who challenges the British government in Pahang. Apart from being a hero, Mat Kilau is a respected cleric and cultural figure in Malaysia.

People there, they come to the cinema in traditional clothes, with the keris. Some of the pencak silat communities even held performances when we came to one of the cinemas. For them it's a great thing, explained Yayan Ruhian.

"I see that Mat Kilau is not only a spectacle but a guide for them because from Mat Kilau, those who watch can get the spirit of a struggle," he said.

In the film Mat Kilau, Yayan Ruhian plays Toga, one of the people who have an important role. He said Toga represented the indigenous people in that era.

The actor who was born on October 19 is known for his ability to pencak silat. As one of the choreographers and teachers, he wants to continue to introduce pencak silat including through his films. His appearance in the film industry began when he played Erik in Merantau (2009). Yayan also admitted that director Gareth Evans and Rangga Maya Barack in the figure behind his fall into the film world.

When asked if this is love? No. Is this a wish? No. If there is a desire, I want to be able to enjoy, be grateful and hopefully share," said Yayan Ruhian.

When I talk about history, of course I would like to thank Gareth Evans and my friends at Merantau's house. Monitoring is the house I was born in this world," he said.

Starting with The Raid, Yayan Ruhian began to attract the world's attention. Sure enough, in 2015, he joined the film Takashi Miike entitled Yakuza A fire. In the same year, he also starred in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

After that, in 2017 he appeared in Beyond Skyline followed by John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum in 2019.

(All) it cannot be separated from our involvement in The Raid. We will see that the alumni of Merantau who have been involved in The Raid: me, Joe Taslim, Iko Uwais, kang Cecep, the film we were involved in has become an indirect audition, explained Yayan Ruhian.

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With all his involvement, Yayan Ruhian also did not stop calling pencak silat one of the reasons. He claimed more than half of his life for pencak silat.

Wherever, wherever I feel on my shoulders is pencak silat. It doesn't belong to me but part of the culture of the nation I love. Don't forget the relics of our ancestors. Because me, Iko, and Kang Cecep can join (to Hollywood films) because we have something they don't have, one of which is pencak silat," he said.

He admitted that he was worried that in the next 5-10 years, the public would not know pencak silat. He hopes that children in the future will not want to learn pencak silat but from outsiders, not Indonesians.

We have moves, steps, and techniques about pencak silat that they don't have and that's on us. There are people who bring pencak silat into the world but don't forget how the Indonesian generation may not know about pencak silat," said Yayan Ruhian.

Throughout the talks, Yayan Ruhian talked a lot about the film production process in several countries. He was amazed by the timely habits carried out by foreign production such as Japan and the United States.

Everything has a difference. Including that. Some are very disciplined with neat planning, some may not have any planning but that's the system. We have to adapt after all. If I join one production, what I can do I have to work on, replied the 53-year-old actor.

Adaptation and cooperation are the keys to how a Yayan Ruhian continues to have a career in acting without leaving his passion, pencak silat. On the other hand, he began to explore his role so that it was not only related to pencak silat.

"Honestly, I can't act, so when I enter the set from the time of reading, I see the script for the character, I see people per person when they show the character, I just follow it," said Yayan Ruhian.

He also continues to consult with the director about his character. According to him, a director must have a vision about the character he shows in the film. Therefore, until now he has always asked about the role he played.

One of the roles without pencak silat was the film Copying Cahaya from Wregas Bhanuteja. He played the role of Rama's father, played by Giulio Parengkuan. Yayan explained that he was quite surprised when offered the role.

Alhamdulillah, when I was offered the character was genuine, there was no relationship with silat. At that time I was asked by the director and I answered with the question 'Believe me or not for this character?' said Yayan Ruhian.

When asked about the development of Indonesian films, Yayan Ruhian asked for support from the public to watch local films in theaters.

As great as our work, anything is meaningless if we don't get support from the community itself. For example, people watch from pirated. Let's go to the cinema. Come in the right way," said Yayan Ruhian.

Ending his story, Yayan Ruhian said that there are two films that have not been released, namely one Hollywood and Indonesian film. Regardless, he wants to continue to enjoy his life as an actor that he has prepared by God.

"My current presence is a gift not the abilities I want, not the ideals I get from a struggle but this is part of the journey God has prepared," said Yayan Ruhian.

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