Syamsul Yusof

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Mohd Yusof is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Mohd Syamsul.

Syamsul Yusof
شمس اليوسف‎
Syamsul interviewed in MeleTOP in 2016.
Born	Mohd Syamsul bin Mohd Yusof (1984-05-21) 21 May 1984 (age 40) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Occupations	Actor film director writer producer rapper singer
Years active	1998–present
Spouses	Puteri Sarah Liyana ​ ​ (m. 2014;div. 2023)​ Ira Kazar ​ ​ (m. 2023;div. 2024)​
Children	2
Parents	Datuk Yusof Haslam (father) Datin Fatimah Ismail (mother)
Relatives	Syafiq Yusof (brother) Faizal Yusof (half-brother) Rizal Ashreff (cousin) Sabrina Ali (cousin)
Awards	Best Director (FFM)
Musical career
Genres	Hip hop pop nasheed
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	2012–present

Mohd Syamsul Mohd Yusof (born 21 May 1984) is a Malaysian actor, film director, writer, producer, rapper and singer. He is the son of producer and director Yusof Haslam. He is the youngest director to win the Malaysian Film Festival for Best Director award, doing so at the age of 25.

Having won best director awards six times ever since at the Malaysian Film Festival and Anugerah Skrin, and was named Best Director at the 57th Asia Pacific Film Festival in Cambodia for his work in the horror/religious movie Munafik . In 2018, its sequel, Munafik 2 , set a record as the highest grossing Malaysian film, which it held until it was surpassed by his 2022 epic war film Mat Kilau.

Early life

Syamsul Yusof was born on 21 May 1984 and grew up in Kuala Lumpur. He is the son of famed director; Yusof Haslam. His brother, Syafiq Yusof is a well-known film director. His cousins, Rizal Ashreff and Sabrina Ali and half-brother, Faizal Yusof are also actors and director TV drama. Syafiq and Faizal themselves also have their other careers as film directors. He studied at the Malaysia Institute of Integrative Media (MIIM) or also known as Academy TV3 where he took a diploma in Film, TV Broadcasting and Journalism.^{[ citation needed ]}

Career

From 2003 to 2007, Syamsul Yusof started to direct and acted in many TV series for RTM and TV3 such as Gerak Khas , Sembilu Kasih, Air Mata Maria and Tragedi Oktober. In 2007, he direct his first feature film, Evolusi KL Drift , ^[1] co-written by him and his cousin Rizal Ashreff was initially rejected by his father for further redrafting. After the revision, his first film project was finally approved alongside a budget of RM 1.35 million. Despite his lack of directing experience and the immense pressure of keeping reputation of his family, Evolusi KL Drift was well-received upon its release on 3 April 2008. The film's success paved the way for several other directorial endeavours. ^[2]

After the success of his directorial debut; his sophomore film Bohsia: Jangan Pilih Jalan Hitam, which had gained unwanted publicity due to the film title's issues with the vulgar language used and certain copyright issues. ^[3] but he managed to pull through. ^[4] The film managed to become successful despite the controversy. He continued to direct the sequel to Evolusi KL Drift which released on 25 March 2010. ^[5] The film was a critical and box-office success, with Syamsul bagging the Best Director award at the 23rd Malaysia Film Festival. ^{[6] [7]}

In 2011, he directed his first horror film Khurafat: Perjanjian Syaitan starring himself and Liyana Jasmay in lead roles. Released on 13 January 2011, it collected a gross collection of RM 8 million to the surprise of film thespians. Critics gave praise to his first attempt in directing the horror film. ^[8] He also added his year's roster with KL Gangster , being careful in its production. ^[9] The film collected a gross of almost RM 12 million, twice what his father achieved through Sembilu II, despite competition from foreign films screening during that time. The movie also won him the 24th Malaysia Film Festival's Best Director award for two years in a row.

He directed Aku Bukan Tomboy, his first comedy film starring Scha Alyahya as Farisha / Eisha. The movie was released on 17 November 2011, later followed by Jalan Kembali: Bohsia 2 based on the sequel to 2009 film and KL Gangster 2 . After three years of absence, Syamsul came back with his latest film, Munafik , was released to Malaysian cinemas in February 2016. ^[10] Ten months later, he starred as mentally-disturbed guy named Aiman in a mystery science fiction film Desolasi , directed by his brother Syafiq Yusof which was released on 8 December 2016. Syamsul appear in biographical romantical film Makrifat Cinta which was released in February 2018. ^[11]

Syamsul also dabbles in a music. He produced an EP with Anwar Fazal, entitled The Love Legacy back then. ^[12] The EP contained four songs - "Bidadari", "Apakah Semuanya Itu" (used as the soundtrack for Evolusi KL Drift 2 ), "Ya Robbi" (soundtrack for Khurafat) and "Hingga Hujung Dunia" (soundtrack for Aku Bukan Tomboy). In 2016, he released a new single which was a collaboration with singer Mawi, "Kalah Dalam Menang". The song was used as the theme song for his latest film, Munafik . ^{[13] [14] [15]} He continued his collaboration with Mawi for a later songs, titled "Bukan Propaganda" used as a soundtrack for Desolasi.

In the month of October 2020, Syamsul confirmed on his Instagram account that he is working on a screenplay for Munafik 3, a sequel to the highly successful Munafik 2 and the third entry in the Munafik film series. ^[16] He later will directed, produced and screenplay his fourth horror film, Khawarij from Astro Shaw and putting the third Munafik film on hold. ^[17] The film will become the first ever collaboration between them in directing as Syamsul previously appears as Inspector Wahab in 2017 action comedy film Abang Long Fadil 2 co-produced by Astro Shaw. It came few days after he ends principal photography of his gangster film, The Original Gangster. ^[18]

Personal life

Syamsul married actress Puteri Sarah Liyana Megat Kamaruddin on 8 March 2014. ^[19] They have two children, Syaikhul Islam (born 2017) ^{[20] [21] [22] [23]} and Sumayyah (born 2019). ^{[24] [25] [26]} On 16 January 2023, Puteri Sarah went to Syariah Court to annul her marriage with Syamsul due to his second marriage with Ira Kazar whose daughter of veteran actor Kazar Saisi, where he secretly wed in Thailand on 6 January 2023. On 05 September 2024, Syamsul divorce Ira Kazar. ^{[27] [28] [29] [30]}

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Credited as				Role	Notes and awards
		Actor	Director	Writer	Producer
1998	Maria Mariana II					Bridesmaids	First appearance
2005	Gila-Gila Pengantin Popular					Ijam
2008	Evolusi KL Drift					Zack	His directing and screenwriting debut Special Jury Award Malaysia Film Festival 21-Best Stunt Action on Screen
2009	Bohsia: Jangan Pilih Jalan Hitam					Muz	Nominated- Best Editing Malaysia Film Festival 22
2010	Evolusi KL Drift 2					Zack	Won Best Director - Malaysia Film Festival 23 Won Best Film Editor - Malaysia Film Festival 23 Won Best Screenplay Film - Malaysia Screen Awards 2010 (Nominated) Best Film - Malaysia Screen Awards 2010 (Nominated) Best Director - Malaysia Screen Awards 2010
2011	Khurafat: Perjanjian Syaitan					Johan	(Nominated) Best Screenplay - Malaysia Film Festival 24 (Nominated) Best Original Story (Nominated) Best editing (with Hisham Jupri)
	KL Gangster					Shark	Won Best Director - Malaysia Film Festival 24 Won Best Editing - Malaysia Film Festival 24 (Nominated) Best Film - Malaysia Screen Awards 2011 (Nominated) Best Director - Malaysia Screen Awards 2011
	Aku Bukan Tomboy					Burn
2012	Jalan Kembali: Bohsia 2					Muz
	SAM: Saya Amat Mencintaimu					Jefri
2013	Gangster Celop					Adam
	KL Gangster 2					Shark
	Oh Mak Kau!					Lutfan
2014	Abang Long Fadil					Shark / Zack / Mus
2016	Mat Moto					Mus	Cameo appearance
	Munafik					Ustaz Adam	Won Best Director - 57th Asia Pacific Film Festival Won Best Director - Malaysia Film Festival Won Best Director - Anugerah Skrin 2016 Won Best Film - Malaysia Film Festival (Nominated) Best Actor - 57th Asia Pacific Film Festival
	Desolasi					Aiman
2017	Abang Long Fadil 2					Inspector Wahab
2018	Makrifat Cinta					Mahathir
	KL Special Force					Asyraff
	Munafik 2					Ustaz Adam
2022	Mat Kilau					—	Nominated for Best Director - Malaysia Film Festival
2025	The Original Gangster					Don	Post-production
	Khawarij					—	Pre-production
TBA	Munafik 3					Ustaz Adam	Pre-production

Television series

Year	Title	Credited as			Role	TV channel	Notes
		Actor	Director	Producer
2005–2007	Sembilu Kasih				Syamsul	TV3
2007	Airmata Maria				Johan
2008	Farah Syakira				Syamil	TV2
2009	Cik Ah Cik Nin [31]					Astro Prima
	Gerak Khas (Season 11)				Syamil	TV2	Episode: "Diburu Along"
2011	Khurafat: The Series				—	Astro Ria	Story
2012	Tanah Kubur (Season 4)				Malek	Astro Oasis	Episode: "Bunga Haram"
	Ameera				Ameer	TV3
2012–2013	Evolusi KL Drift: The Series [32]				Zack	TV2
2014–2018	Gerak Khas				Supt. Jefri		Also co-producer
2018	Sejadah Untuk Dia				—	Astro Oasis	Original idea
2021	Ramadani				Tuan Rahmat	TV3
2021–2022	Gerak Khas Undercover				—		As co-producer

Telemovie

Year	Title	Credited as			Role	TV channel
		Actor	Director	Producer
2009	Maisara				Mus	Astro Prima
2012	Asmara Beijing				Rizal	Astro Citra

Television

Year	Title	Role	TV channel
2016	Gempak Superstar	Himself (Invitation Jury)	Astro Ria
	LePaknil	Himself

Discography

EP

• "The Love Legacy" (2012; with Dr. Anwar Fazal)

Single

• "Kalah Dalam Menang" (2016; featuring Mawi) ^{[33] [34]}
• "Bukan Propaganda" (2016; featuring Mawi) ^{[35] [36]}
• "Senorita" (2017; featuring Dato' AC Mizal & Shuib Sepahtu)
• "Selamat Tinggal Masa" (2018; featuring Black)
• "Menangislah" (2018; featuring Mawi)
• "Satu Kalimah" (2020)
• "GK Undercover" (2021)

Awards and nominations

Year	Awards	Categories	Nominated works	Outcome
2008	21st Malaysian Film Festival	Effectiveness of Action Adventure on the Silver Screen	Syamsul Yusof, Evolusi KL Drift	Won
2009	22nd Malaysian Film Festival	Best Editing	Syamsul Yusof, Bohsia: Jangan Pilih Jalan Hitam	Nominated
2010	Anugerah Skrin 2010	Best Film Screenplay	Syamsul Yusof, Evolusi KL Drift 2	Won
		Best Film	Evolusi KL Drift 2	Nominated
		Best Director		Nominated
	23rd Malaysian Film Festival	Best Director	Syamsul Yusof, Evolusi KL Drift 2	Won
		Best Editing	Evolusi KL Drift 2	Won
	Anugerah Bintang Popular	Popular Film Actor	Syamsul Yusof	Nominated
2011	24th Malaysian Film Festival	Best Film Screenplay	Syamsul Yusof, Khurafat: Perjanjian Syaitan	Nominated
		Best Original Story	Khurafat: Perjanjian Syaitan	Nominated
		Best Editing	Syamsul Yusof, Hisham Jupri, Khurafat: Perjanjian Syaitan	Nominated
		Best Director	KL Gangster	Won
		Best Editing	Syamsul Yusof, KL Gangster	Won
	Anugerah Bintang Popular 2011	Popular Film Actor	Syamsul Yusof	Nominated
	Anugerah Skrin 2011	Best Film	KL Gangster	Nominated
		Best Director		Nominated
2012	Anugerah Blokbuster 2012 [37]	Anugerah Tuan Direktor Terhebat	Syamsul Yusof	Won
		Anugerah Khas PFM		Won
		Anugerah Filem Takut Terhebat	Khurafat: Perjanjian Syaitan	Won
		Anugerah Filem Terhebat	KL Gangster	Won
2013	26th Malaysian Film Festival	Best Director	Syamsul Yusof, KL Gangster 2	Nominated
		Best Cinematography	Syamsul Yusof, Hisham Jupri, KL Gangster 2	Won
		Best Sound		Won
2016	28th Malaysian Film Festival [38] [39]	Best Director	Syamsul Yusof, Munafik [40]	Nominated
		Best Editing		Nominated
		Best Film	Munafik	Nominated
2022	32nd Malaysian Film Festival	Best Director	Mat Kilau	Nominated

References

1. Wahiduzzaman (27 February 2008). "Syamsul Yusof talks about his directorial debut in "Evolusi KL Drift"". Cinema Online. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
2. Metra Syahril Mohamed (11 March 2008). "Syamsul buat Yusoff bangga". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
3. "Penulis Novel Saman Syamsul Yusof Kerana Ciplak Karya?" (in Malay). Oh! Media. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
4. "Yusof Haslam didakwa langgar hak cipta novel bagi filem 'Bohsia: Jangan Pilih Jalan Hitam'". BERITA Mediacorp. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
5. Wahiduzzaman (24 March 2010). ""KL Drift 2" Menderum Dengan 'Enjin Lama'". mStar Online. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
6. "Izyan.com is for sale | HugeDomains".
7. Farizan Zainal (8 Februari 2015). Dari pelakon ke kerusi pengarah Tupai.com.my. Diperoleh pada 26 Februari 2017.
8. "Review Filem: Khurafat – Perjanjian Syaitan". Archived from the original on 18 January 2011.
9. "KL Gangster, Filem Aksi Yang Realistik". Archived from the original on 18 August 2011.
10. Syamsul Yusof Dalami Islam Bikin Filem Munafik mStar Online. 13 March 2016. Retrieved on 30 March 2016.
11. Syamsul Yusof to continue doing movie stunts on his own Yahoo! Sports. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
12. Raziatul Hanim Rajak (14 March 2013). Agenda baru Syamsul Sinar Harian . Retrieved 5 February 2014.
13. Hizreen Azleena Kamal (25 February 2017). "When popular actors become singers". New Straits Times . Retrieved 25 February 2017.
14. Norhayati Nordin (28 February 2016). "Syamsul cuba nyanyi pula". Harian Metro (in Malay). Retrieved 25 February 2017.
15. Syanty Octavia Amry (25 May 2016). Syamsul 'rapper' Islamik Harian Metro . Retrieved on 25 February 2017. (in Malay)
16. "Syamsul Yusof confirms writing Munafik 3 screenplay; goes on a 9-min rant on IG". The Star.
17. "Selepas Munafik 2, Syamsul Yusof bakal muncul dengan filem seram baharu". www.astroawani.com. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
18. Mohd Tahir, Sudirman (8 October 2022). "'The Original Gangster cerita baharu, tiada kena-mengena dengan KL Gangster 3' - Syamsul Yusof". Harian Metro. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
19. Rahman, Ifqdar (10 March 2014). "Demi cinta Syamsul, Puteri Sarah". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 18 May 2016.
20. "Syamsul Yusof, Puteri Sarah timang bayi lelaki". Sinar Harian. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
21. Muhammad Azrul Mohd. Radi (19 April 2017). "Syaikhul Islam nama anak Syamsul Yusof". Utusan Malaysia . Retrieved 21 April 2017.
22. Feride Hikmet Atak (19 April 2017). "Syamsul, Puteri Sarah dapat bayi lelaki". Berita Harian . Retrieved 21 April 2017.
23. Syafil Syazwan Jefri (19 April 2017). "Cahaya mata sulung Syamsul". Harian Metro . Retrieved 21 April 2017.
24. Hanisah Selamat (17 March 2019). "Sumayyah, anugerah buat Syamsul, Puteri Sarah". Berita Harian . Retrieved 19 March 2019.
25. Hanisah Selamat (17 March 2019). "Syamsul Yusof timang cahaya mata kedua". Sinar Harian . Retrieved 19 March 2019.
26. Amri Hassan (17 March 2019). "Sumayyah, nama anak perempuan Syamsul Yusof, Puteri Sarah". Gempak. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
27. "Fail perceraian, Puteri Sarah Liyana ceria, bersemangat". 16 January 2023.
28. "Reaksi Puteri Sarah di Mahkamah Syariah Kuala Lumpur". 16 January 2023.
29. "Biar apa pun terjadi, Puteri Sarah tetap tuntut cerai | Berita Harian".
30. "Tuntutan cerai: Puteri Sarah tiba di Kompleks Mahkamah Syariah KL". 16 January 2023.
31. 'Cik Ah Cik Nin' kisah 2 gadis lurus bendul dan kuat berangan mSTAR Online . 5 Oktober 2009.
32. Siti Juliana Mohd Johar (21 September 2012). "Syamsul yakin kebolehan Syafiq arah drama bersiri". Sinar Harian . Retrieved 14 March 2015.
33. Kalah Dalam Menang (media notes). Arteffects International. 2016.
34. "Kalah Dalam Menang". iTunes Store (MY). Apple. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
35. Bukan Propaganda (media notes). Arteffects International. 2016.
36. "Bukan Propaganda". iTunes Store (MY). Apple. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
37. "Keuptusan Anugerah Blokbuster 2012 Malaysia".
38. Senarai Penuh Keputusan Pemenang Filem Festival Malaysia Ke-28 Astro Gempak. 28 September 2016.
39. Rudy Imran Shamsudin (4 September 2016). Malam Syamsul, Shanjhey, Nabila, Pekin... Harian Metro . Dicapai pada 28 September 2016.
40. Ruhaya Ab. Hamid (4 September 2016). Munafik Filem Terbaik Nasional Utusan Malaysia . Retrieved on 5 September 2016.

External links

• Syamsul Yusof at IMDb
• Syamsul Yusof on Twitter