Exclusive Ajil Ditto Struggles From A Small Age To Achieve Go International's Dream
JAKARTA - Throughout his career in the world of actor, Ajil Ditto has starred in dozens of titles, ranging from big screen films, series, television films to soap operas. He has also played various types of genres.
In June alone, Ajil starred in two big screen films, Kutukan Sembilan Setan which aired on June 8 and Onde Mande which will air on June 22. Both titles have different genres, of course with different characters and stories.
However, Ajil Ditto admitted that he had no problem with what genre he was playing. He finds it difficult to play with the horror and drama genres. For him, every genre has its own character
"Actually, all production is the same. In terms of process, we have to read first, then there is a workshop too if there is a heavy scene, and then the shooting process," said Ajil Ditto while visiting the VOI office in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta recently.
"The shooting process is not much different, and it's not much different from other genres either. The most distinguishing is the story, the players, how long the shooting takes and the obstacles," he continued.
What Ajil said seems more mature than his current age. However, this is understandable, considering that at the age of 21, he already has a fairly long filmography record.
Since 2012, Ajil has listed his name as one of the child actors in a television film called Best Friend Forever. Since then, Ajil has been present in new works every year. In fact, since 2019, he has appeared at least in six different titles.
Ajil Ditto, who was born on November 8, 2001 in Medan, started his career not as an actor. In his hometown, Ajil, who is still 6 years old, started from the fashion show stage.
The first time I started my career as a model. In the past, in Medan, I often participated in fashion shows. From the age of 6 years, around two years of participating in a model competition, finally going to Jakarta to try the entertainment world, which was actually his intention to accompany a sister who wanted to enter a flight attendant, but in the middle of the trip it didn't happen, "the story of Ajil.
Receiving advice from one of his teachers in Medan to try out the entertainment world in Jakarta, Ajil, accompanied by his mother, tried to become a child model in the capital city.
Then, he underwent his first casting to appear in an advertisement for flavoring products. His success was continued by joining the Super7 boyband in 2011.
"Following casting for the first time is an advertisement for seasonings, thank God I got it for the first time. From there, my career started, until I entered the boy band. Boy band is finished and I'm full time as an actor now," he said.
Not without reason if Ajil chose acting as his priority rather than other careers such as modeling and singing, he admitted that he fell in love with the world of actors which he called a way to express himself.
The only reason why I chose to act was because I love acting. I really like to give emotions, give what I feel to the audience," said Ajil.
"And in my own opinion, acting is the most appropriate media, whether it's a film, series, FTV, soap operas are the most appropriate media to reveal what we feel," he added.
Love for acting makes small Ajil to teenagers able to have a career as an actor along with his education well. The actor is also grateful to have an educational and friendly environment that supports him in the entertainment world.
Busy with work from a teenager, Ajil also doesn't lose his life as a child. Looking back at the early days of his career, Ajil admitted that he had sufficient quality time with his family.
"Mama, that's been accompanying me for a long time. Now maybe you have a lot of interest because you have started to rest at home, but yes, you've always been with mom. So, while working, if there is a short time, yes, the two of us or the family eat together. Because I am, during my career journey accompanied by my family. So thank God, there are quite a lot of quality time with my family, "he said.
Even so, it does not mean that Ajil did not encounter any difficulties. There was a moment when he felt tired of having to work while at school. However, Ajil, who said that his pleasure as a child was never limited, said that what he was doing was very fun.
"It's hard to be there, especially since I'm just an ordinary human being who must have had a tired period too. There are all of them, but back again, I enjoy it. Because I enjoy it, so I don't really think about it and don't really bother. The important thing is, as long as I'm not bothered, as long as my pleasure is not disturbed, I will feel like my life will be fine, "he explained.
Want To Continue Acting And Dreaming Of Being Able To Go International
Twelve years of careers in the world of actors does not make Ajil Ditto complacent or bored with his work. He wants to continue acting as long as he still has the opportunity. For him, being an actor is constantly learning new things.
"If I hope it can continue to exist (in the world of cinema). Back again, because I love the world of entertainment, especially acting, I really love the world of acting. If for example I was given the opportunity to have a career until I was 50, 60, 70 later, why not. I will continue to have a career, I will continue to study in acting," he said.
Ajil, who recently liked the Korean drama series about the medical world, hopes that he will get the opportunity to play the character of a doctor. From the drama series he watched, he was amazed how an actor was able to make the audience sure that the character he played was a professional doctor.
Not only that, but Ajil also wants to play in an action film like The Raid. He saw the process in a film with full-action scenes demanding preparation for months as a challenge as an actor.
"In action, it seems that almost everyone who wants to play action, one of the triggers is The Raid film. From The Raid film, many people are open to it, one of which is me, if we Indonesians don't lack resources that we can use to make action films very good, even making action films one of them can compete in the international world," said Ajil.
Apart from that, Ajil said that if he wanted to continue acting to make many people happy. Claiming to be a 'camera cap' since childhood, the actor is happy if he can make people react to what he does.
"I want people to be happy with what I give. In terms of film, I want to please people. What kind of process, as long as it's halal, as long as it's good, I'm doing everything. The important thing is that I can make people comfortable, can make people like and at the same time can be a spectacle that provides guidance too," he said.
Ajil also doesn't deny that he has a dream to go international. For him, it is natural that everyone wants more people to see his work. But not only for himself, he hopes that Indonesian cinema can be seen by the world community someday.
"I want it to be more than able to play abroad, but I also want Indonesian films with any genre to be distributed abroad, and foreign people know that we, Indonesia, have great resources and have great actors," said Ajil.
"What we can see now, many of my friends are playing in films whose quality is extraordinary. I want outsiders to be literate that we Indonesians are also cool," he continued.
Ajil is optimistic about his dream. He sees many actors in the quality national film industry. He believes that producers, directors, screenwriters and Indonesian actors can be looked at by the world film industry.
"If Indonesia's own potential I am very confident in its quality. With more and more people being quite idealistic in choosing stories, many producers and directors are growing longer. Young writers who are my age, they have a very dilute brain, can already write stories that are out of the box but are still accepted by reason. Seeing actors, from my age, or easier and older, many of them have no doubt about their quality," he said.
Ajil also sees well if an actor starts his career early on. He hopes that parents who see their children have an interest in acting can provide support. He sees acting as a good way for a child to express what he feels and thinks. More than that, Ajil sees acting as a positive thing.
For children and adolescents who dream of becoming an actor, Ajil Ditto advised them to learn from many people and not be complacent.
"My message is for younger siblings who want to start an actor world, never stop learning. We can learn from anyone, older or younger, stay down to earth and don't think that we are the best, because above us there are still a lot of people who are better than us. Attitudes are also maintained and never stop learning," concluded Ajil Ditto.