Shariza Othman Loves Tamil Movies So Much That She Reviews Them In Malay
The first Tamil movie she watched was 'Maanasthan' in 2004.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 25 Jul 2024, 05:39 PM
Meet Shariza Othman, a big fan of Tamil movies. She has amassed over 26,000 ardent followers on her Facebook page, where she writes movie reviews in Malay
Speaking to SAYS, the 43-year-old believes that movies are the best medium for artists to convey messages to society because people are more easily entertained through visuals compared to books or novels.
"Through movies, viewers can learn the language, customs, and culture of a community. Movies also allow viewers to take lessons from the issues depicted in their daily lives," she explained.
"Moreover, through movies, filmmakers honestly reveal the flaws in the administration, police institutions, and their courts. Their noble efforts are greatly appreciated by society," she added.
Shariza first fell in love with South Indian cinema, specifically Tamil movies, after graduating from university in 2004
During that time, while looking for a job, she spent her day watching Tamil movies aired on RTM's channels. Before that, she enjoyed Bollywood movies.
"I transitioned to South Indian movies because I saw that Tamil movies tend to focus on family themes and depict the real life of the community," she said.
She also appreciated the popular comedy elements in movies of that era.
The first Tamil movie that Shariza watched was Maanasthan, which R. Sarathkumar starred. But it was comedian Vadivelu who left an indelible mark on her
As she continued watching more Tamil movies, she started writing synopses to help friends decide if a movie was worth watching.
Over the years, Shariza noted that South Indian movies have gradually evolved with better cinematography techniques, quality acting, and improved scriptwriting with more surprises. Much of it is largely due to critics who pushed filmmakers to experiment with newer works and styles.
The first Tamil movie that Shariza watched was 'Maanasthan', which starred comedian Vadivelu (left) and R. Sarathkumar.
Image via Classic Tamil Box Office HD Movies (YouTube)Shariza said she is happy to see Tamil movies still uphold good moral values. She is also glad to see the South Indian film industry advancing to the point it now rivals Hollywood
At home, while noting the advancement in Malaysian cinema, Shariza feels local filmmakers can take a leaf from South Indian movies.
"Malaysian filmmakers should learn from the creative techniques of South Indian writers, who don't just tell love stories and family feuds but also present many creative plots, especially in crime and thriller genres," she said.
Shariza hopes that the Malaysian film industry becomes more open and creative without touching on racial and religious issues.
