KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — More than a decade after stepping into the spotlight, Sharifah Sakinah remains one of Malaysia’s most dynamic performers, captivating audiences with roles that consistently push creative boundaries.

Known for a diverse portfolio spanning both film and television, the star now takes on the role of Aisha in the newly released action-thriller Tarung: Unforgiven, directed by Razaisyam Rashid.

Despite a longstanding friendship with the director, Tarung: Unforgiven marks their first professional collaboration.

In the film, Sakinah delivers a performance of emotional intensity as Aisha, the sister of protagonist Hatta (played by Mierul Aiman).

Speaking to the media at the film's gala premiere at GSC Mid Valley on Monday, Sakinah revealed that Razaisyam insisted every line be delivered exactly as written, a significant challenge for an actress accustomed to improvisation.

“The challenge was not being able to change the dialogue,” she admitted. “I usually go by feeling, and when we do that, we come up with our own dialogue.”

She added with a laugh that even colloquial flourishes like "lah" or "ke" were off-limits, often resulting in retakes.

“Which is good,” she reflected, “because it took me out of my comfort zone.”

While initially difficult, Sakinah explained that she respected Razaisyam’s meticulous approach.

“He’s not very flexible because he knows exactly what he wants,” she explained. “I respect his script because the dialogue is good. If I change the dialogue, it would mean the scriptwriter’s writing isn’t good. So I went with it.”

The experience reinforced her personal philosophy of prioritising the director when selecting roles.

She said that no matter how strong a story is, it is ultimately the director’s vision that brings it to life.

She also praised the on-set professionalism, noting that from day one, the entire cast and crew were exceptionally well-prepared.

“I believe actors in Malaysia are very talented, but they lack preparation,” she observed.

“Alhamdulillah, on this set, everything went smoothly.”

Tarung: Unforgiven, which opens in cinemas nationwide today, features a powerhouse cast including Aedy Ashraf, Bront Palarae, and Zul Ariffin alongside rising stars like Amir Ahnaf and Azira Shafinaz.

The film follows Hatta, a former silat champion haunted by a tragic incident from his past. To save his sister Aisha, he is forced back into the brutal world of underground fighting, where he must confront Isa (Aedy Ashraf), a former friend turned bitter rival.

“It’s more than just an action film,” Sakinah said. “It explores themes of family, friendship, acceptance, forgiveness, sacrifice; emotions that reflect society today.”