# Bront Palarae

Nasrul Suhaimin bin Saifuddin (born 27 September 1978), known professionally as Bront Palarae, is a Malaysian actor, film director, screenwriter and producer.
Bront built his career in the early 2001 with roles in Castello, Bilut, Tipah Tertipu The Movie & 1957: Hati Malaya. His collaboration with director Mamat Khalid resulted in the films Man Laksa (2006) & Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang (2008). They also co-wrote the script together for Tipah Tertipu The Movie (2006).
Bront portrayed a private investigator in Belukar (2010). He was the Producer of One Two Jaga (2018), which won 6 awards including Best Pictures at 30th Malaysia Film Festival.

## Early life and education

Bront was born in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. His father is of Malay and Pakistani descent whereas his mother's family is Thai surnamed "Palarae" (Thai: ปาลาเร่) hence his stage name; his mother migrated to Peninsular to start a new life together after their marriage. Bront is fluent in Thai himself.

## Personal life

In 2005, he received a scholarship from the Italian government to attend a short course in Language & Culture at the University for Foreigners Perugia, Italy. He overstayed and toured the country for the next four months.
He took another sabbatical in 2017, this time, he chose Palo Alto, California as his destination. With a scholarship from Ministry of Finance Malaysia, he pursued and completed Innovation & Entrepreneurship Studies at Stanford University.

## Acting career
### 2001–2008: Early years

Palarae made his acting debut on television in 2001, Mat Nor Kusyairi & The Velvet Boys, directed by Mamat Khalid and Produced by Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina. His collaboration with Mamat Khalid brought him onto his first feature film Lang Buana (2003). He first gained fame by portraying two characters in Cinta Tsunami, a television series in 2005.
In 2008, with the release of his biggest commercial success, Sindarela (Cinderella), he rose to prominence in a lead role, Hussin on the hit television series with Sharifah Amani and Remy Ishak, followed by another television series, Rona Roni Makaroni in the same year, again with Sharifah Amani.

### 2009–2015: Breaking into film

Uncomfortable with his career direction, the media-shy actor turned his focus to film roles. Since then, he started attracting a variety of roles in films including Anak Halal (2005), Man Laksa (2005) and Bilut (2005). His first major role was in V3: Samseng Jalanan, starring alongside Farid Kamil who also directed the movie.
In 2009, Palarae starred in Belukar alongside Daphne Iking, directed by Jason Chong. Though the movie did not do well at the box office, his acting was praised among critics and audiences alike. He won the Best Actor award at the 23rd Malaysia Film Festival and also the Anugerah Skrin 2010 for his performance in Belukar.
In 2010, Palarae co-founded Otto Films and through the company, he co-produced, co-written & co-directed Kolumpo, a feature film released in 2013. He also served Camwerk Studios as a Creative Consultant to help developed The Kidnap Case of Ammar Affendi and secured a co-production deal with RexMedia (US) at the Marche Du Film at Festival De Cannes at the same year. He was later appointed as the Brand Ambassador for Edwin Denim Malaysia and also the face of local fashion designer Fairuz Ramdhan.

### 2016–present: Going regional

In 2016, Palarae starred in a Malaysian sports football film Ola Bola, Chiu Keng Guan's latest film after the record-breaking The Journey. Not only that the film made RM15.85 million and became the 5th highest-grossing Malaysian film of all time, Bront also won the Kuala Lumpur Critics' Choice Award 2016 in the Best Supporting category, for his role in the film.
After winning the Best Actor award for Terbaik Dari Langit at the Asean International Film Festivals (AIFFA) 2015, he was roped in for HBO Asia's original series titled Halfworlds directed by Indonesian filmmaker, Joko Anwar. He later joined the Mo Brothers on their latest film titled Headshot, starring Iko Uwais. In 2016, Palarae joined the cast of comedy film My Stupid Boss as a collaboration with another Indonesian filmmaker, Upi Avianto.
At the recent 2016 Asian Television Award, Palarae was nominated for his role in the telemovie Eropah, Here I am through the "Best Actor In A Leading Role" category.
Bront later appeared on Pengabdi Setan (Satan's Slave), a remake of classic Indonesian horror film by Joko Anwar. This would be his second collaboration with Joko after HBO Asia's Halfworlds series. Pengabdi Setan became the highest-grossing film in Indonesia for 2017 and being distributed in 26 countries under CJ Entertainment (Korea). They later made two films together, Gundala in 2019 & Pengabdi Setan 2: Communion
In 2020, he won the Best Actor award at 25th Asian Television Awards (ATA) for his role as Inspektor Megat in the asian adaptation of The Bridge series. He also starred in an adventure drama Edge of the World, directed by Michael Haussman and starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the British soldier and adventurer James Brooke (1803–1868), the first White Rajah of Sarawak.

## Humanitarian work

In 2012, Palarae joined the AQSA2Gaza11 Emergency Relief trip to Gaza.
He was the goodwill ambassadors for the UNICEF's My Promise To Children campaign to emphasise children's rights in Malaysia.

## Filmography

Key :
* Denotes film/dramas that have not yet been released

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2003 | Lang Buana | Perdana | Debut film appearances |
| 2006 | Man Laksa | Mat Topoi | |
| 2006 | Castello | Chet | |
| 2006 | Bilut | Rosli | |
| 2006 | Tipah Tertipu The Movie | Bad Guy | |
| 2007 | 1957: Hati Malaya | Muzaffar | |
| 2007 | Anak Halal | Danny | |
| 2007 | Apa Khabar Orang Kampung (Village People Radio Show) | Radio Actor | |
| 2008 | Akhirat | Ramon | |
| 2008 | Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang | Mahinder Singh | |
| 2008 | Antoo Fighter: Amukan Drakulat | Rambo | |
| 2009 | Setem | Abu Bakar / 'Burn' | |
| 2009 | 15Malaysia | Pedophile Man | Episode: "Lolipop", short film anthology |
| 2010 | V3 Samseng Jalanan | Brett | |
| 2010 | Belukar | Nik | |
| 2011 | Vote! | | Video short |
| 2011 | Jalan Pintas | Homeless Man | |
| 2011 | Quattro Hongkong 2 | | Segment: "Open Verdict" |
| 2011 | Kongsi | Kempedu | |
| 2011 | Sekali Lagi | Haris | |
| 2011 | Ombak Rindu | Ismail | |
| 2012 | Bunohan | Deng | |
| 2012 | Jiwa Taiko | Pinto | |
| 2012 | Lagenda Budak Setan 2: Katerina | Hisyam | |
| 2013 | Juvana | Warden Encik Raja | Cameo |
| 2013 | Bikers Kental | Ponthaliwat | |
| 2013 | Psiko: Si Pencuri Hati | O. Sidi | |
| 2013 | Kolumpo | Police Officer A | Also as director and writer |
| 2014 | Sejoli: Misi Cantas Cinta | Jo | |
| 2014 | Lagenda Budak Setan 3: Kasyah | Hisyam | |
| 2014 | Pintu Neraka | Norzain | |
| 2014 | Anak Jantan | Somchai | |
| 2014 | Dollah Superstar | Himself | Cameo |
| 2014 | Terbaik Dari Langit | Berg | |
| 2015 | Redemption Night | Rahman | |
| 2015 | Jwanita | Farhan | |
| 2015 | Girlfriend Kontrak | Zain | |
| 2016 | Ola Bola | Rahman | |
| 2016 | My Stupid Boss | Adrian | |
| 2016 | Headshot | Interpol Agent Ali | Indonesian movie |
| 2016 | Hanyut | Sayed Rashid | |
| 2016 | Art Through Our Eyes | The Stranger | Segment 'Aku" |
| 2017 | Kau Takdirku | Harris | |
| 2017 | Satan's Slaves (Pengabdi Setan) | Bahri Suwono | Indonesian movie |
| 2017 | Ayat-Ayat Cinta 2 | Baruch | Indonesian movie |
| 2018 | Dukun | Shah | |
| 2018 | One Two Jaga | Investigating Officer | Also as producer |
| 2019 | Bikers Kental 2 | Ponthaliwat | |
| 2019 | Fly by Night | Inspector Kamal | |
| 2019 | KL Vampires | Himself | Opening voice over |
| 2019 | Wira | Colenal Izzar | Cameo |
| 2019 | Gundala | Pengkor | Indonesian movie |
| 2019 | Love Is a Bird | Darma | Indonesian movie |
| 2020 | Motel Acacia | Bront | Philippines movie |
| 2020 | Tyickoouns | Long | |
| 2020 | Hail, Driver! | Toompang Broker | |
| 2021 | Edge of the World | Pengiran Indera Mahkota | |
| 2021 | Zombitopia | Dr. Rahman | |
| 2021 | Barbarian Invasion | Adnan | |
| 2021 | Proksi | Sam | |
| 2022 | Stone Turtle | Samad | |
| 2022 | Satan's Slaves 2: Communion (Pengabdi Setan 2) | Bahri Suwono | Indonesian movie |
| 2022 | Seratus | Elevator Passengers | Cameo |
| 2023 | Harum Malam | Norman | |
| 2023 | Eraser | Judge 1 | Special appearance |
| 2023 | Sumpahan Jerunei | Dr. Sani | |
| 2023 | MALBATT: Misi Bakara | Major Adnan | |
| 2023 | Sleep Call | Tommy | Indonesian movie |
| 2023 | Wow+ | Dr. Zaman Khan | Short film |
| 2023 | Abang Adik | Kamarul | Special appearance |
| 2024 | The Cursed Land | Heem | Thai movie |
| TBA | The Lies I Tell | Iskandar | As director and producer, Post-production |
| TBA | Safari Mall | Himself | As director, Post-production |
| TBA | Dawn Raid: The Hands That Rattled The Queen | Desa Pachi | As director, In-development |

### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | TV channel | Notes |
| 2003 | Dengan Nama Cinta | | NTV7 | |
| 2004 | Rumah itu Duniaku | | TV1 | |
| 2004 | Garisan Takdir | | Mediacorp Suria | |
| 2004 | Cinta Tsunami | Amran / Rangsit | TV3 | |
| 2007 | Cinta Secangkir Kopi | Ammar | TV9 | |
| 2008 | Sindarella | Hussein | TV3 | |
| 2008 | Rona Roni Makaroni | Roni | Astro Ria | |
| 2009 | Tower 13 | Adam / Johan Ariff | TV3 | |
| 2009 | Tangkal Besi | | Astro Citra | |
| 2010 | Ibn Battuta: The Animated Series | | TV2 | Voice only |
| 2011 | Juvana | Warden Encik Raja / Balaji | TV3 | |
| 2011 | Hajar Aswad | Asrul Aswad | TV9 | |
| 2012 | Pulau | Azri | TV9 | |
| 2012 | Projek Pop | | 8TV | Special appearance |
| 2012 | I Eat KL | | Unifi TV | |
| 2015 | Halfworlds (Season 1) | Gusti | HBO | |
| 2016 | Dark Triptych | | | 1 episode |
| 2018 | Doors: A Philippines Horror Anthology | | BOO | Episode: "Daddy's Home" |
| 2018 | Folklore | MP | HBO | Episode: "Toyol" |
| 2018–2020 | The Bridge | Megat Jamil | HBO/Viu | |
| 2023 | Katarsis | Dr. Alfons | Vidio | |

### Telemovie

| Year | Title | Role | TV channel |
| 2001 | Mat Nor Kusyairi & The Velvet Boys | Mat Topoi | NTV7 |
| 2003 | Neon | Ringgo's Friend | VCD |
| 2004 | Zon 606 | Fariz | VCD |
| 2009 | Senandung Malam | | Astro Prima |
| 2010 | Bunga Rampai Musim Tengkujuh | Jamal | TV1 |
| 2012 | Kasih Bumi | Bumi | TV9 |
| 2013 | New York Cinta | Seth | Astro First Exclusive |
| 2014 | Sebenarnya | Khaliff | TV3 |
| 2015 | 3 Nota | Atoi | Astro Prima |
| 2016 | Eropah, Here I AM | Bukhari | Astro Citra |
| 2017 | Kekasih Elektrik | Amri Rohaizad Fan | Astro Citra |
| 2018 | Janji Zehan-Lahzeya Bi Payan | Faizal | Astro First Exclusive |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2003 | Beat TV | Host | Astro Ria |

### TV commercials

| Year | Title |
| 2006 | Hotlink Maxis Prepaid |
| 2008 | Visit Singapore |
| 2021 | Saji: Mangkuk Tingkat Mak Teh |
| 2022 | Samsung: Rezeki Memori |

## Videography
### Music video

| Year | Song Title | Artist |
| 2013 | "Menunggu" | Akim Ahmad |
| 2017 | "Kembali" | Kaka Azraff |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Awards | Category | Nominated works | Result |
| 2010 | 14th Anugerah Skrin | Best Male Actor | Belukar | Won |
| 2010 | 23rd Malaysia Film Festival | Best Male Actor | Belukar | Won |
| 2010 | 23rd Malaysia Film Festival | Best Male Supporting Actor | V3: Samseng Jalanan | Nominated |
| 2010 | 24th Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian | Most Popular Male Film Actor | Bront Palarae | Nominated |
| 2011 | 25th Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian | Most Popular Male Film Actor | Bront Palarae | Nominated |
| 2012 | 16th Anugerah Skrin | Best Male Supporting Film Actor | Jiwa Taiko | Nominated |
| 2012 | 25th Malaysia Film Festival | Best Male Supporting Actor | Jiwa Taiko | Nominated |
| 2012 | The Kuala Lumpur Film Critics' Circle Award | Best Male Supporting Actor | Jiwa Taiko | Nominated |
| 2012 | 26th Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian | Most Popular Male Actor | Bront Palarae | Nominated |
| 2012 | 26th Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian | Most Popular Villain in Film or Drama | Bront Palarae | Nominated |
| 2013 | Anugerah Blokbuster 2 | Best Villain Award | Jiwa Taiko | Nominated |
| 2014 | Anugerah Stail EH! | Most Stylish Male Celebrity | Bront Palarae | Nominated |
| 2014 | Anugerah Stail EH! | Most Sexy Male Celebrity | Bront Palarae | Nominated |
| 2014 | Anugerah Lawak Warna 2 | Best Male Comedy Actor (Film) | Sejoli | Won |
| 2014 | 26th Malaysia Film Festival | Best Male Actor | Psiko Pencuri Hati | Nominated |
| 2014 | 18th Anugerah Skrin | Best Male Film Actor | Psiko Pencuri Hati | Won |
| 2014 | The Kuala Lumpur Film Critics' Circle Award | Best Male Actor | Psiko Pencuri Hati | Nominated |
| 2015 | Anugerah MeleTOP Era 2 | Bintang Filem MeleTOP | Bront Palarae | Nominated |
| 2015 | 27th Malaysia Film Festival | Best Male Actor | Terbaik dari Langit | Nominated |
| 2015 | ASEAN International Film Festival | Best Male Actor | Terbaik dari Langit | Won |
| 2016 | The Kuala Lumpur Film Critics' Circle Award | Best Male Actor | Ola Bola | Won |
| 2016 | Anugerah Melodi 2016 | Personaliti Filem Melodi | Bront Palarae | Nominated |
| 2016 | Asian Television Award 2016 | Best Actor | Eropah Here I Am | Nominated |
| 2017 | Festival Film Tempo 2017 (Indonesia) | Best Supporting Actor | Pengabdi Setan | Nominated |
| 2018 | IBOMA Awards 2018 (Indonesia) | Best Actor | Pengabdi Setan | Nominated |
| 2019 | 7th QCinema International Film Festival (Philippines) | Best Actor | Fly by Night | Nominated |
| 2019 | Film Pilihan Tempo 2019 (Indonesia) | Best Supporting Actor | Gundala | Nominated |
| 2020 | IBOMA Awards 2019 (Indonesia) | Best Supporting Actor | Gundala | Nominated |
| 2020 | Asian Academy Creative Award | Best Actor in a Leading Role | The Bridge | Nominated |
| 2020 | ContentAsia Awards | Best Male Lead in a TV Programme | The Bridge | Nominated |
| 2020 | Asian Television Awards (ATA) | Best Actor in a Leading Role | The Bridge | Nominated |
| 2020 | Asian Television Awards (ATA) | Best Leading Male Performance - Digital | The Bridge | Won |
| 2021 | Majlis Pengkritik Filem KL | Best Supporting Actor | Barbarian Invasion | Nominated |