Lateness on set is about discipline, not being new: Nad Zainal

Malaysian actress Nad Zainal has asserted that issues with lateness on film sets are a matter of personal discipline, not a problem solely attributable to new actors. The 36-year-old actress stressed that regardless of experience level, arriving late inevitably impacts work productivity and causes dissatisfaction among production crew members who are left waiting.

"Whether it's an old actor or a new actor, there are always those who come late," Nad stated. "But for me, in any scope of work, time and respecting time are very important. Wherever you go to work, if you are not punctual, others will feel uncomfortable with you. Schools teach us from a young age about being on time and not breaking rules."

Nad, whose full name is Farah Nadia Zainal Abidin, shared these thoughts at the offices of Media Mulia in Petaling Jaya on Friday. She pushed back against the notion that newer actors are overly pampered and lack discipline, highlighting that many newcomers she has worked with have been cooperative. "It's not like that. That's why I said earlier, it's not just new actors, because the new actors I've worked with are fine," she explained.

Her comments come in response to remarks made by fellow actress Fasha Sandha, who previously addressed the unprofessional behavior of an actor arriving late to set. Fasha had described delays ranging from minutes to one or two hours, significantly affecting the smooth progression of filming. Nad concluded that the issue is not about being new or old in the industry, but rather about the individual actor's character and their personal discipline.