#SHOWBIZ: Veteran actor AR Badul reclaims the spotlight on TikTok

KUALA LUMPUR: The entertainment world may have changed completely over the years, but veteran actor and director AR Badul is proving that age is no barrier to staying connected with his audience.

At 76, the seasoned star — whose real name is Armaya Aman Ramlie — has turned to TikTok to engage with fans, especially those who grew up watching his classic films.

He views the app as his very own television station, giving him a direct link to viewers who love reminiscing about his early work.

"TikTok has actually been a bit of a problem for me because it's just so much fun," he joked.

'It lets us reconnect with followers. They tell me, 'I used to watch your movies when I was young, I loved this film and that film'. It makes me feel like I'm still very much part of the industry."

He added: "In the past, fake news went viral on TikTok claiming I had died. I wasn't active on the app then, so I had no idea. Nowadays, if someone claims Badul passed away yesterday, I can just post a video the next morning and say, 'Hey, I'm still alive!'"

While many creators use live streams to sell products or chase clout, the Best Director winner at the 8th Malaysia Film Festival (FFM8) insists his motives are purely genuine.

For him, it is simply a way to give back to the fans who supported his career over the decades.

His social media journey has not been without online trolls, with a few harsh commenters snidely telling him he is "too old" to be making videos. But the veteran star takes the ageist jabs completely in his stride.

"Some say, 'You've got one foot in the grave, yet you're still on TikTok'. Honestly, they just don't get it," he said.

"I don't get cross or argue. I just reply, 'Tomorrow will be no different; both you and I will end up in the exact same place. We are all future corpses.' Usually, it's people in their 50s and 60s who leave those comments, not young kids. Since we belong to the same generation, I know how to answer them."

Although creators can make good money through virtual gifts, Badul stressed that earning a profit was never his goal. Even so, he made a personal rule to donate a portion of any earnings to those in need.

"I don't set financial targets. If people give, I accept. If I make money in a month, I take out 30 per cent to give to buskers and the underprivileged," he said.

"I'm not trying to act like a saint. I just never expected people to send gifts since I never ask for them. That's just my way of doing things."

On the acting front, Badul recently starred in 'Surat Khabar Lama', a patriotic short drama for the 69th National Day celebrations, produced as part of a local oat milk brand's 'Return of the Legend' campaign.

Directed by Raja Azrey, the film highlights the contributions of veteran artistes while sharing cultural values with younger generations.