Bright future seen for child star Nurriyana

SUNGAI PETANI: Actress Ramona Rahman, producer of television sitcom Keluarga Adam, Ada-Ada Aje, hopes to rope in budding child star Nurriyana Jamhari for her future productions.

She said six-year-old Nurriyana, known affectionately to cast members as Yana, was hired for only 13 episodes of the family sitcom, which ends shooting this month.

“Yana has huge potential as a child actress. She shows an unusual strength deep within, especially after seeing what her mother had gone through,” Ramona said in a telephone interview from location shooting in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam.

Ramona, who is also managing director of her production house, Articulate Television, said she preferred TV sitcoms, children’s programmes and entertainment and variety shows.

SCENE-STEALERS: Ramona (second from right) briefing child actors (from left) Adam Azlan, Nurriyana, Amelia Thripura Henderson and Kamelia Nisha before shooting on location in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam, on Wednesday.

“I personally feel that Yana’s tale would make an inspiring storyline for a television drama,” she added.

Despite her tender age, Yana already knows about the hardships of life. She juggles her time between her “career” and taking care of her ailing mother Dayang Herlina Jaafar, 37, who is suffering from second-stage non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system).

The youngest of six siblings, the little girl is currently starring in the TV2 sitcom Keluarga Adam, Ada-Ada Aje.

Her siblings are sisters Nurizzatul, 17, Nurzahirah, 15, Nurrina, eight, and brothers Mohd Herri, 11 and Mohd Raid, nine.

Mohd Herri and Mohd Raid were also cast in one of the episodes, Ramona said.

Dayang Herlina, who is awaiting the results of tests to see if her cancer was in remission, said her children had kept her going.

“Even on days when I’m so tired, I still take Yana to the location shoot and stay the entire day. We’re inseparable and I derive my strength from her,” she said.

She also said she was considering selling nasi lemak to support her schoolgoing children.

Her policeman former husband left her two years ago but provides monthly child support of RM400.

To make ends meet, Dayang Herlina said she sings at concerts. She said she had received an invitation to sing two songs at the Citra Warna concert organised by the Selangor Tourism Council in Klang in July.

Those keen to invite Yana or her mother for a concert can call Dayang Herlina at 016-683 4337.