‘We don’t want to look back and regret it’: Why Zul Ariffin is happy to do 20 takes to get a scene right

Malaysian actor Zul Ariffin says he is happy to do multiple takes to get a scene right rather than look back on a performance with regrets. — Picture via Instagram/Zul Ariffin

By Ian Jeremiah Patrick

First Published: Thursday, 15 Oct 2026 9:21 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — For Malaysian actor Zul Ariffin, getting a scene right is worth the extra effort, even if it means doing take after take to deliver his best performance.

Speaking at a media session for his latest horror film, Pemuja Syaitan, yesterday, Zul admitted that watching himself on the big screen at film premieres sometimes leaves him wondering what he could have done differently.

Those experiences, he said, have made him more determined to give his all during filming, even if it means repeating a scene until he is satisfied with the result.

“During the filmmaking process, we have a limited amount of time.

“Let's say we shoot for 30 days, 25 days, or 45 days.

“That is the only time we have control over, especially when it comes to filming,” he said at TGV Suria KLCC yesterday.

“We are only involved in the shooting process.

“Once filming is over, we move on to post-production, and we have no control over it.

“The best thing is to give it our all and do whatever it takes.

“If you want more takes, we do more takes.

“We do not want to look back a year later and regret it, thinking, ‘We should have done it that way.’

“I have experienced that before, and even now, I still think about things I should have done differently.

“You end up regretting it when you are sitting alone at the premiere, watching the film after all that hard work.”

His commitment has not gone unnoticed by Pemuja Syaitan director Liyana Jasmay, who recalled how Zul was willing to keep going even after completing 10 takes of a scene.

“He is a performer, so he really does not mind.

“Even if it takes 20 takes, he does not mind.

“I love that spirit, and I really hope Zul’s spirit will go to everybody,” she said at the media session.

In Pemuja Syaitan, Zul plays Inspector Zul, who investigates a bloody tragedy involving a group of former classmates whose reunion takes a deadly turn after they uncover a time capsule containing long-buried secrets and betrayals.

The horror thriller marks Liyana's theatrical feature directorial debut after years of working as an actress and directing telefilms.

Shot over 23 days, the film also stars Elizabeth Tan, Nadhir Nasar, Aila Azizul, Selena Jasmay, Marsha Biddulph, Hakim Khan, Nat Aaliyah, Aida Amron, Ellyza Azizi and Dhabita Auji.