KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Mia Sara Shauki accepts that comparisons to her father, renowned director Datuk Afdlin Shauki, are inevitable—especially now that she aims to follow in his footsteps as a film director.
The 27-year-old admitted she had always known this reality, and chooses to embrace it as she remains focused on her work.
"I can't change who my parents are. I've felt this since I was little, and as I grew older, I accepted that it's unavoidable.
"I accept it, and no matter what, I can always do my best. If I make a mistake or do something poorly, I have to face it myself, try to put it right, and hope I do not hurt anyone along the way," she told BH Online.
While acknowledging that her family name opens doors, Mia Sara believes those opportunities must be backed up by hard work, dedication, and a continuous desire to learn.
"If people say it is easier for me to get work because of my name, that is true, and I can accept it. With what I have now, I must do my best.
"If I cannot act well, I need to go and train. My father has always advised me to learn and practise before diving into any field.
"Whether it is the arts or even law, we genuinely have to study first and give it a try. If we try and do not succeed yet, it is completely fine because we can still learn from that experience," she said.
Unfazed by criticism of her acting, Mia Sara views external opinions as constructive feedback rather than taking them personally.
"Everyone has their own preferences. I cannot stop what people want to say. So, when I hear criticism, I can actually take it well because it can be used to learn further," she said.
Beyond honing her acting craft, Mia Sara is now taking steps towards her childhood dream of directing her own films.
Her passion for storytelling was sparked early on, as she often spent time on set with her father, drawing and brainstorming ideas together.
"Ever since I was little, I used to draw or tell stories with my father, and whenever he made a film, I would always visit the set.
"Right from the start, I knew that was his way of storytelling. There's a desire for me to do the same thing.
"After finishing filming for this drama, I plan to start directing a short film. The story is based on an original idea I had as a teenager," said the actress, who recently wrapped up shooting for the second season of the drama series Dorm 403.
Her upcoming short film explores her personal journey of discovering and drawing closer to Islam, a project she describes as a love letter to herself.
Through it, she hopes to highlight experiences that resonate with women across Malaysia, particularly the unique and deeply personal path each takes towards finding faith.
"This film is about opening your heart to Islam. I feel the story will resonate with many Malaysian women because we all face our own struggles.
"We may know how to be good women, but the journey to truly being touched by faith—whether that means choosing to wear the hijab or beginning to pray—is different for everyone.
"In a way, this film is a love letter to myself for discovering my faith," she said.
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