With a sincere attitude and motivation for change, Jefri Nichol discusses his life, latest projects, and what he’s learned along the way
The last time DAMAN had the chance to sit down for a chat with young actor Jefri Nichol was at the height of the pandemic. Since then, Nichol has continued to build up his repertoire through movies and mini-series. But perhaps most intriguingly, Nichol has also become the “bad boy” in Indonesia’s entertainment industry. Not only has he portrayed tough characters on the silver screen, but he has also embodied this persona in public, engaging in confrontations both on- and offline.
Despite the controversies, Nichol has become even more famous thanks to viral moments stemming from his antics and brawls. As they say, “Any press is good press,” and thanks to those experiences, he has moved forward in leaps and bounds, learning from his mistakes. And now he has a clear plan in mind to move on and stay away from trouble.
For his third appearance in the magazine, Nichol has moved forward to our cover as he talks about his latest project and unfolds his transformative journey…
DAMAN: Tell us about your upcoming “Ali Topan” movie…
Jefri Nichol: This movie has been in the works since 2017, my first year in the film industry. I met the son of the late Teguh Esha, the writer of “Ali Topan,” and he said he wanted me to play Topan. At that time, I didn’t know what Ali Topan’s story was about, but I had often heard his name. I knew it was a fictional character on TV or in movies, but I have never actually seen him. Fast forward to 2023, we are finally shooting this movie, and Sidharta Tata directing. They portray Ali Topan as an underground music kid whose spirit is still there, just like in the book.
DA: What was your reaction when you saw the script for the first time?
JN: “Wow, what a script. It’s brave.” In a way, Tata includes social criticism from the current political situation, such as the eviction of residents’ land for company development and the issue of community organizations, which is also disturbing. These details weren’t in the original novel. However, the spirit of this movie remains a romance wrapped in adventure and action.
DA: Without giving too many spoilers, can we talk about your character, Ali Topan? How did you prepare for the role?
JN: I relied mostly on the original book and the film script and my discussions with Tata as the director for my character. Ali Topan still appears as a rich man’s son but prefers to live on the street because only there that he’s not underestimated and blends in with various elements of society. He leaves the house because of family problems, especially with his father. He believes that the most important things are your attitude and character, which give you value.
DA: Do you have any memorable moments from this movie that you can share with us?
JN: Preparation for the film was the most fun, especially when I had to grow a mullet. The fighting scenes with the Piranha Stunt Indonesia team that uses movements from the “Tekken” video game series has also become a highlight for me. There’s also the road trip from Jakarta to Semarang and then Yogyakarta that changed my perspective on life.
Special shout-out to my co-star Lutesha, who plays as Anna Karenina. She created her own version of Anna—and it’s quite fitting. Another fun fact is that Ari Sihasale plays Opung Brotpang in this movie. He played in the soap opera version of “Ali Topan” back in the day.
DA: Although the film will play in Indonesian cinemas on February 14, 2024, “Ali Topan” had a world premiere at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and also the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) 2023. Based on these two festivals, what responses have you received so far?
JN: Unfortunately, I could only make it to the festival in Busan. And I had to wait outside. But the reaction from the festival goers was great. A Korean family even stopped to shake hands with Lutesha and me; they told me the movie gave them a warm feeling, which was definitely a touching moment for us.
DA: Still talking about the audience’s response, we heard that “Pertaruhan The Series” had reached more than 15 million viewers. What do you think about the continuation of this story and comments regarding the success of this mini-series?
JN: I’m very grateful that so many people liked it, and hopefully, many will like the sequel too. I also hope the quality can match the prequel and its spirit. And I hope that barehand fighting will still be there, as for me, using weapons is like cheating.
DA: After the end of season two, what do you think might happen to your character, Elzan?
JN: “Pertaruhan: the Series” season three will be coming soon and the story is being developed. I think season three will be more about Elzan’s redemption I hope he puts aside his previous ideology of not 87 killing people. I want there to be a change in his character development for the next season.
I’VE CAUSED TOO MUCH TROUBLE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. I’VE INTENTIONALLY AND UNINTENTIONALLY MADE NOISES, AND I’M SORRY FOR THAT. STAYING AWAY FROM PROBLEMS IS MY PL AN, FOR SURE.
DA: On a more personal note, what goals or personal plans have you made for this year?
JN: I’ve caused too much trouble in the past few years. I’ve intentionally and unintentionally made noises, and I’m sorry for that. Staying away from problems is, for sure, part of my plans. I have to keep my attitude in check and avoid causing trouble. I also want to my life to be more Zenlike—peaceful and calm. When I finish filming, I want to go on holiday so I don’t end up getting bored and stay in my own bubble. I want to see the world. I brought my family to Thailand and Japan last year, which was a lifechanging moment.
DA: What do you look for when choosing a project?
JN: I enjoy popcorn movies—movies that don’t force the audience to think; films that don’t always touch on politics or delve into the human character. It doesn’t have to be like that all the time. However, even though I like all genres and stories, there needs to be balance in terms of the story, as well as with the cast and the director.
DA: Can you recall why you wanted to become an actor and has it changed along the way?
JN: Yes, it has changed quite a bit. Years ago, I wanted to do mini-series, not films, just to survive. But now, I’ve reached this point where I don’t have to think about how to put food on the table and focus on doing the best work that I possibly can do.
DA: Do you feel that the public has an accurate perception of what you are really like? Are you as tough as the characters you play?
JN: Wow, what a question! Actually, what a lot of people might have seen is the viral version of Jefri Nichol’s problems … like being caught for drug possession or filmed getting into fights. However, this perception is obviously not accurate. In a nutshell, there’s a lot about me that the public in general doesn’t know. I also have many conversations with people on social media that are just fun, but because they don’t go viral, people don’t know about it. Many say that the real me outside social media is unlike the version you see, and the image of a brawler and bad boy immediately collapses. In a nutshell, there is a lot that the public doesn’t know about me. Still, I’m tougher than some of my previous roles. I bow to Elzan, my character in “Pertaruhan,” because he went through a lot.
DA: What’s good and bad about social media in your view?
JN: The good side of social media is that we can promote our work and share good news with the masses. But sometimes, the truest side of a person’s heart can come out. Case in point: on Twitter or X, the bad side of humans can somehow come out Maybe because there are no boundaries between those who post and those who reply, people often act like they’re close. They can bully other people relentlessly, all while staying safely anonymous.
Mind you, I’m not immune from that. Haters often provoked me, and my bad side finally came out through fighting over social media and even meeting in the real world to fight. It was a waste of energy and time, I know. Now that I think about it, I realized that I had too much time on my hands.
Based on my experience, try to hold back your emotions if someone provokes you, trolls you on social media, or makes stupid statements or questions. Trust me.
DA: Four our last question, they say that you learn something new about yourself as an actor with every role you play. So, what have you learned so far from your acting journey?
JN: Most of my characters are fighters. As cliché as it may sound, hang in there and persist despite the difficult circumstances. Maybe that’s what I can take away because most of my characters experience tragic events. To keep fighting to get through those moments, or run away from the problem and never solve it. I always try to implement that in the real world. My advice is don’t run away from your problems and face them even though it’s difficult.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR BRAD HOMES
PHOTOGRAPHY HANN PRAWIRA
STYLING ISABELLA HARAHAP
Photography Assistance Rey Putra & Yudi
Styling Assistance Bagoes Abyoso
Grooming Ryan Ogilvy
Grooming Assistance Jimmi Panai