Is to perform to be perceived? In preparation for this interview, a cursory research takes place in the form of texts with friends familiar with Nadhir Nasar’s work. In search of insight that exists beyond his socials and IMDb page, it is the perception of him that piques the most interest — how his performance as an actor and public figure gets translated into public conscience, and observe what gets lost in static.
Before mentions of his appearance arise, keywords like ‘thespian’, ‘serious about his craft’ and ‘manic pixie dream boy’ surface. Evidently, Nadhir takes the lead when it comes to crafting his narrative and role as an artist.
Over a call, Nadhir’s energy is palpable and ready to go. We ask what has changed since his last interview with Men’s Folio for last year’s June cover. “It has not been that long, but I have gotten more patient with myself when it comes to success,” he reflects. Recognising that change is constant in this ever-evolving industry, he centres on the ethos of sticking to his intuition and doing things at his own pace. “There is only one Nadhir Nasar, so why am I rushing?”
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Considering himself a work in progress, Nadhir is keen on improving without rushing. “I may look like a guy without a plan, but I have a vision,” he professes. From working retail in streetwear and modelling to earning a degree in broadcasting, he has, quite literally, stepped into various identities to reach where he is today. “You have to start somewhere, and I believe in the process that God has put me in.”
Somewhere between folding garments, attending to customers, and appearing in fashion campaigns, Nadhir has developed the acumen to navigate himself in the entertainment industry today. “My end goal is to become a director — to become one, I need to first be a good actor. My education and gigs from early on have given me the practice to tell my stories visually.”
We ask about the work he would introduce new fans to, and he replies with early pieces like Abah and Projek: Anchor SPM. The response was unexpected, as one would assume him to speak on his more recent works. “These are works that are close to my heart — if you have watched these and are still rooting for me today, you are a true ride-or-die,” Nadhir says.
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To him, the goal is not to showcase him at his finest hour only, as these two projects serve as both a reminder of how far he has progressed and a need for improvement. He is critical, yet far from self-deprecating. “While I do not consider these projects as my best, they represent my learning journey and a leap of faith.”
Alongside industry juggernauts Zul Ariffin and Amelia Henderson, Nadhir is set to appear in Magik Rompak , a heist thriller directed by Adrian Teh of Malbatt: Misi Bakara and Paskal fame. Currently in production, this project is Nadhir’s third film and poses new challenges for him as an actor. “I had to pick up stage magic as a new skill set, and just so you know, I have a few tricks up my sleeve already,” he says.
Between performing for TV and the silver screen, he does not observe a significant difference in how he embodies his characters. Beyond obvious differences in production scale and the limitations in time to deliver a story, both formats require a sense of refinement, or halus, as he puts it. “A good actor comes from having life experience. How do you portray being in love when you have never been in love? It is about drawing real-life memories to create a nuanced performance.”
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For Nadhir, to deliver realism is to perform with sincerity. “The eyes never lie,” he says. By injecting a sense of himself into his roles, he creates an opportunity to ground his characters and make them believable. “Seventy percent is the character, the remaining thirty is Nadhir Nasar. If it was fully the character, I think I would lose myself completely.”.
With this approach to acting, he stands by the artistic interpretations of his characters. “Some may consider screaming as overacting when it comes to showcasing anger, but who are we to say when there are people in real life who laugh in the face of sadness?”
Rather than expressing defeat and taking things personally, he considers each new attempt as another opportunity. “It is a humbling fact to know that not everything is about you. This is a money-making industry that involves a lot of talent, from lighting to post-production.” With this mention of the industry comes Nadhir’s dreams of performing on stage as a theatre actor. “To me, it is the most sincere art form. Delivering a dialogue live is different than being recorded. You only have one take.”
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“I love being an artist, but I am not comfortable with being a celebrity,” Nadhir confesses. Although being perceived for his work is what he signed up for, being perceived for his individuality comes with the territory. While doting fans have been anything but shy about sharing their admiration for him online, what does Nadhir do to tread the balance between sharing his life online and keeping aspects of his personal life private?
“I do not try to be mysterious for the sake of it, but even the admins of my fan clubs do not know me well personally,” he shares. In an era where celebrities fuel their popularity with a heavy dose of parasocialism to drive authenticity and relatability, Nadhir challenges the notion of giving full access to his personal life. “Why would you want to know someone personally to support their work?”
When asked about how he is different on- and off-camera, he pauses to consider. Aware of his presence in the mainstream, he reaffirms his presence as authentic, but mindful of his audience. “What I portray is authentic, if you scroll down my feed, you will realise that is all still me. The challenge is finding ways to gel between all the different facets of my audience. I began in a niche industry like fashion, then eventually moved to mainstream work. Now, I just try to spread positivity.”
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In this day and age, can one succeed as an actor without a strong social media presence? “If you are Cillian Murphy, you can,” Nadhir says. “At the end of the day, these platforms are how we interact with our fans. You take a break when you need to, like Tom Holland.” He sees it as an important tool to showcase new projects and engage with his audience. According to Nadhir, one’s social media clout is just another part of the casting process. “For commercial productions, the social media following indicates the target audience and the ability to influence viewership.”
As Nadhir moves into his late twenties, does he compare himself to his childhood peers who are entering different stages of life, embracing marriage, kids and other societal milestones? “I hate this question,” he says, laughing. “Seven out of my nine friends are married now. When we hang out, only two of them show up. I think ‘Oh man, I am so happy for you but time has gone by so quickly.’”
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He acknowledges that he is on a different journey now. At the moment, all he wants is to create. “I am not rushing to get married, but I will embrace whatever comes my way when the timing is right.” Rather than specific career achievements, the personal milestone he aims to achieve before turning 30 is to use his time more wisely. Be it spending time with his parents and friends or volunteering at a local orphanage, he sees time as the most important asset he could give back to the people in his life.
A product of the indie sleaze era, Nadhir returns to classics by indie rock band The Neighbourhood to get him in a feel-good mood, namely tracks from their Wiped Out! album. Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories is another album that serves up a boost of confidence when he needs it the most.
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When he played the character Naim in Projek: High Council, Siti Nurhaliza’s tracks were on repeat to help him get into character. “Her music embodied the headspace of my character who wanted to portray a tough exterior but had a tender personality,” he explains. For his new character in Magik Rompak, he listens to classic Malaysian rock bands like XPDC, Wings and Spring
So, what is next for Nadhir Nasar? He pauses thoughtfully, then says, “I want to provide entertainment, but not be the entertainment.”
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Photography Chee Wei
Creative Direction & Styling Izwan Abdullah
Photography Assistant Ang Yee Khee
Styling Assistants Manfred Lu, Liew Hui Ying & Asha Farisha
Grooming Sharman / Plika Makeup
Hair Keith Ong
The December/January 2025 issue featuring Nadhir Nasar on the cover is available at major newsstands in Malaysia. For order enquiries, please visit this link.