Actor Ari Irham admits initial fear playing 'Hikmah' in film 'Seni Merayu Tuhan'

Indonesian actor Ari Irham admitted to initial apprehension about portraying Hikmah in the upcoming film 'Seni Merayu Tuhan' (The Art of Wooing God). The film, directed by Cesa David Luckmansyah and produced by Wahana Kreator, is an adaptation of the best-selling self-improvement book by Habib Husein Jafar Al-Hadar. Irham found the character's emotional depth to be a significant challenge.

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When I first read the script, I was honestly afraid to take on this role because the character is so deep and heavy. But as an actor, I also wanted to try, so I tried to bring the character of Hikmah to life as I am now.

"When I first read the script, I was honestly afraid to take on this role because the character is so deep and heavy," Ari said during a media visit in Jakarta on Tuesday. "But as an actor, I also wanted to try, so I tried to bring the character of Hikmah to life as I am now."

The film depicts Hikmah as a representation of the younger generation, characterized by neglect of religious duties, indifference towards parents, and selfishness. Hikmah experiences a crisis of faith after losing his mother, prompting a search for the meaning of life and a return to God. Irham found a personal connection to Hikmah's spiritual journey, relating to the character's past struggles with egoism and self-centeredness as a young man. He sees this as a foundation for his portrayal, emphasizing his own ongoing process of self-improvement.

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To bring the character of Hikmah to life, I also tried to see how I myself am processing becoming a better person. Because, like other young people, I have experienced phases like Hikmah, I have felt selfish, but until now we want to continue processing to become better people.

Irham underwent a detailed and reflective character development process for the role. He and the cast dissected each scene and dialogue during readings, and he even participated in a workshop on performing the Islamic call to prayer, the adzan. This meticulous preparation aimed to authentically capture Hikmah's complex transformation and spiritual awakening.

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The process was super detailed and full of reflection. From the first reading, we discussed scene by scene, we dissected every dialogue. I even had an adzan workshop.