#SHOWBIZ: A seriously funny lady

New Straits Times

08-06-2025

MENTION the name Rosnah Mat Aris and an iconic television advertisement from the 1980s will come to mind.
In the Axion dishwashing paste commercial, Rosnah, a kampung eatery owner, introduces her long-suffering employee — played by the late actor-comedian Harun Salim Bachik — to the product.
Reminiscing about those days in a recent interview, Rosnah said: "I began acting in the 1980s, advertising Axion and many other products. I also starred in the popular TV3 Ramadan drama series 'Rumah Kedai' alongside Kartina Aziz and Harun."
She also fondly remembers her appearance in 'Naik Tangga Turun Tangga', the Malaysian version of the famous 1970s British drama series 'Upstairs Downstairs'.
"That was a very Malaysian take on the popular British TV series — about a rich family living upstairs in their bungalow and their employees who live downstairs. I played one of the workers."
Mentored by the late actor and television host Mustaffa Noor, Rosnah, now 69, later found fame starring in comedies, especially the 'Anak Mami' series produced and directed by Datuk Dr A Razak Mohaideen.
"It is in these movies, 'Anak Mami' and its spin-off 'Mami Jarum', that I was introduced to moviegoers of the 2000s.
"Since then, I have also hosted TV programmes, especially entertainment- and women-related ones."
FIVE-TIME AWARD WINNER
Rosnah's popularity as a comedienne earned her four wins at the annual Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian (ABPBH).
The mother of four and grandmother of five has also done serious dramas. One of them, 'Tersasar Di JalanMu', earned her the Best Actress award at Anugerah Skrin 2009.
"While I always feel at home in comedies as I am a cheerful person, serious roles also interest me, either villainous or tragic characters.
"You can call me a funny lady, but I'd prefer to be a serious funny lady, whose dramas and movies contain important lessons," she said, referring to her most recent flick, '3 Janda Melawan Dunia', in 2022.
Rosnah is grateful to return to work after the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Imagine two years without work. Everything cost money.
"I was careful during the economic downturn in 1997. I had several canteens, including one at Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), which I shared with my late brother.
"I later focused on my own canteen near Ampang Park and that lasted longer. I'm always careful to save for a rainy day," she added.
Asked about the "trend" of artistes asking for financial help, Rosnah described it as normal.
"This happens everywhere — those who can help will do so. But it is not fair to criticise just because we are artistes.
"Artistes are not rich if they don't have a business as a back-up. It's not enough if you only act."
POWER OF SUPPORTING ARTISTES
Rosnah hopes that the entertainment industry will recognise supporting artistes more.
"Supporting actors and actresses are very important for the success of a series or movie.
"There is no Cinderella without the fairy godmother and no Batman without Robin."
Rosnah, once called the Michelle Williams and Bette Midler of Malaysia, because of her short blonde hairstyle that resembled theirs. said: "I don't think I'm as talented as them, but I'm honoured as they are versatile actresses.
After 12 years of being a single mother, Rosnah married Tajul Effendi Isa, better known as Blue, in 2008.
These days, the couple organise entertainment events that Rosnah also emcees.