Rita Rudaini Recalls Memorable First Collaboration With Eman Manan in Tiupan Sangkakala
KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Rita Rudaini has reminisced about one of the most memorable moments of her acting career, recalling the challenges of working alongside veteran actor Eman Manan for the first time in the 2010 television drama Tiupan Sangkakala.
Sharing the story in a recent post on Threads, Rita said she initially felt intimidated by the opportunity to perform opposite one of Malaysia’s most respected actors, especially as the production required her to film an emotionally demanding scene involving physical action.
According to Rita, one of the earliest scenes in the production required her character to kick Eman’s character while he was performing prayers, making it one of the most difficult sequences she had ever filmed.
She admitted feeling extremely nervous before shooting the scene because it was her first collaboration with the veteran actor and she was concerned about performing the stunt convincingly.
Rita explained that filming had to be repeated several times after the director was dissatisfied with the initial takes, saying the kick looked too staged and failed to convey the intended dramatic impact.
The repeated retakes added to her anxiety as she tried to balance delivering a realistic performance while avoiding injuring her co-star.
However, Rita said the situation changed after Eman personally encouraged her to stop holding back.
According to her, the veteran actor reassured her that she should perform the kick properly without worrying about hurting him if the scene required it.
Recalling the moment humorously, Rita said she jokingly thought it was a rare opportunity to “kick Eman Manan” with his own permission.
Taking his advice seriously, she delivered the scene with greater force during the next take.
The effort immediately satisfied the director, who approved the shot after a single attempt.
While the scene was successfully completed, Rita said she ended up paying the physical price herself.
She joked that her foot felt as though it had been sprained after striking Eman’s body, describing the veteran actor as being “as hard as a rock.”
Despite the discomfort, Rita looked back on the experience with humour and appreciation, describing it as one of the unforgettable memories from her career.
Tiupan Sangkakala, released in 2010, was produced by Luqsar Kreatif Sdn. Bhd. and directed by Heykal Hanifah.
The telemovie starred Rita Rudaini and Eman Manan in the lead roles and remains one of the productions remembered by fans for its emotionally intense storytelling and strong performances.
Rita’s recollection offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the realities of filmmaking, where physically demanding scenes often require trust, professionalism and close cooperation between actors to ensure both authenticity and safety on set.
