Sharif Kunal bin Doli Sharif[1] (born 20 April 1992), commonly known by his stage name Atu Zero, is a Malaysian actor and comedian.

Atu Zero
Atu in 2024
Born
Sharif Kunal bin Doli Sharif

(1992-04-20) 20 April 1992 (age 32)
Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active2012–present
RelativesMuhammad Syaiful (brother)
Sharif Kadir (brother)

Early life

edit

Muhammad Syaiful, Sharif Kadir and Sharif Kunal are the sons of Sharif Doli, a traditional fisherman of Bajau descent and they are from Kudat, Sabah. With only RM$ 350 per month to their name, they had to had to struggle for a living with seven siblings. The youngest of the three, Atu, has been sailing since he was six years old. He started working as a laborer for his uncle Faisal when he was 13 years old, earning between RM$5–10 per hour. In an interview with Leaderonomics, the three brothers acknowledge that they were a naughty group even as young children.[2]

Career

edit

Atu founded the Zero group with his two brothers, and they made their stage debut at the 2012 Gelanggang Awesome Raja Lawak.[3] Their father passed away in his sleep on 21 October 2012. Atu was packing to travel to Africa for a Fear Factor episode he was involved in when he got the news. He flew from Kuala Lumpur to Kudat, but his father had already been buried before he arrived. He was never able to bid his father farewell.[2]

The three brothers were having a hard time, but in 2013 they got lucky when they noticed an advertising on television for Astro's reality comedy program Maharaja Lawak Mega (MLM).[2] From that point on, the trio's popularity grew quickly, and they were able to continue competing in the MLM competition for four seasons, from 2012 to 2018.[3] Additionally, they competed in the MLM in 2014 and won the overall championship in the reality TV competition.[4][5]

They attempted again the next year but were unable to get to the finals. They took home half a million ringgit after winning the MLM 2014 championship.[2] The Zero group's debut film, Lu Mafia Gua Gangster, was scheduled to premiere in Malaysia on 21 April 2016.[6] With a new horror comedy titled Syif Malam Raya that also stars his younger brother Atu, Sharif Kadir makes a comeback in 2020. After its recent on-demand debut on Astro First, the film generated RM$3 million in revenue in just ten days of release.[3]

Atu issued an apology on 13 January 2020, in response to claims made by certain viewers that his attire for the MLM 2019 final caused them discomfort. Viewers complained that his form-fitting white get-up was excessively tight and exposing as he performed with his comedy troupe Zero. A comedic sketch about two astronauts finding life on Pluto was being performed by the Zero group.[7]

In response to a widely shared Wikipedia entry in Malaysia on 19 October 2022, Atu stated that he has performed alongside several A-list performers, including as Ricky Martin, Bon Jovi, Blackpink, and BTS. Although he claimed not to take it seriously, he thought the comedy and inappropriate editing of Malaysians were entertaining.[8]

In the VindesTepok Bulu 2023 badminton competition, Atu and Atita Haris participated. They both played badminton against Ziva Magnolya and Arya Saloka, losing to them both. Despite the fact that he did not take home the winning trophy, Atu said that he was grateful for the opportunity to perform at VindesTepok Bulu 2023.[9] After he had just finished representing Malaysia in the tournament, Sharif and Syaiful expressed their pride in him.[10]

Personal life

edit

In addition to having fun with their friends, they took part in a variety of school contests, including those involving religious singing (nasyid) and the playing of the kompang, a traditional Malay musical instrument, which they continue to practice for their performances to this day.[2]

Despite their success, Atu claimed that the brothers still follow their old habits and that not much has changed in their life since then. He added that the brothers utilise their money to support their friends and relatives in the area because not everyone has it easy. Their motivation is not fame. Actually, because of all of their help, they have what they do now.[2]

Atu married fashion designer Shafeeqa Johari on 8 February 2016,[11] in her Batu Pahat, Johor, home.[1] The closest and dearest friends and relatives were present. Prior to the Zero group's victory in the 2015 MLM competition, he met her. According to Atu, she is someone who respects his job as an actor and comedian and is not overly concerned with his degree.[12] His wife has since became his contracting manager.[6]

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Hantu Nan Sempit Tepik Debut film
2016 Lu Mafia Gua Gangster Amir
2017 Tombiruo: Penunggu Rimba Guide[13]
2020 Syif Malam Raya Zaid
2021 10 Tips Tipu Bini Zero
Hantu Bonceng 2.0 Budak Resepi
2023 Sumpahan Malam Raya Syawal

Drama

edit
Year Title Role TV channel Notes
2017 Tuyul ke London Astro Warna [14]
2022 Roxy Domi TV3

Television

edit
Year Title Role TV channel Notes
Projek Theme Park Astro Ria
Jenaka Kampung Kalut TV3
Temasya Sukan Ke Laut Astro Warna
2014 #havocwarna Lawyer
Onyomat Geset Go
Padan Muka
2015 Buana oh Buana Various
2016 Lari Misi Mr. X
2018 Opera Zero Astro Warna
Bintang Bersama Bintang Guests Picked Up by Participants TV3
2019 Senang Terhibur Pick up guests with Arwah Abam Bocey and Aziz Harun
Jom Berbuka Invited artist with Shafeeqa Johari (episode 4)
2019–2022 Jalan-Jalan Makan Angin Lawyer hosting with Akhmal Nazri
2020 Oops Terkena Astro Warna Episode 11
Lawak Tak Lagha (season 2) Lawyer with Ajak Shiro
Apa Nak Makan ni? TV3 Episode 19 April
Tak Kot Invited artist with Sarah Suhairi
Majestic Johor Lawyer Astro Ria with Fad Bocey
Shuk Nak Tanya Awesome TV
2022 Awesome Raja Lawak Mentor
Opocot Next Level Lawyer Astro Warna with Shuib Sepahtu
The Masked Singer Malaysia (season 3) Jury

Awards

edit
Year Award Category Decision
2018 2017 Daily News Popular Star Award Popular Comedy Artist Nominated

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Staff, RTKY (8 February 2016). "Atu Zero Dan Isteri Selamat Diijabkabul". www.rotikaya.com. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f ESVARY, PRETHIBA (30 March 2018). "From Zero To Hero: Life Lessons From The Sea". www.leaderonomics.com. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Nasser, Ashraf (10 June 2020). ""Syif Malam Raya" actor Sharif Zero wants a movie about his comedy group". www.cinemaonline.sg. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Biodata Kumpulan Zero (Sharif & Syaiful) – Family Duo". murai.com.my (in Malay). 15 December 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  5. ^ SK, Staf (3 January 2020). "Sharif Zero Hilang Sabar Buat Laporan Apabila Muka Disamakan Dengan PATI". www.siakapkeli.bbn.my (in Malay). Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b OTHMAN, KEMALIA (14 April 2016). "Lemah Membaca Punca Salah Faham Kontrak - Kumpulan Zero - Hiburan | mStar". www.mstar.com.my (in Malay). Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  7. ^ Mei Zi, Tan (13 January 2020). "Comedian Atu apologises to Malaysian viewers for wearing 'revealing' white pants on TV (VIDEO)". malaysia.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  8. ^ Syok (19 October 2022). "M'sian Comedian, Atu Zero Responds To Viral Wikipedia Page Saying He Worked With BLACKPINK, BTS". en.syok.my. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  9. ^ Nawangsari, Cahyanti (18 November 2023). "Profil Atu Zero, Aktor Komedi Malaysia yang Tanding di Tepok Bulu 2023". batam.tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  10. ^ Ilyasha, Amirul (20 November 2023). "Sharif & Syaiful Zero Bangga Dengan Atu Main Wakil Malaysia". ohbulan.com (in Malay). Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  11. ^ AK-47 (13 January 2016). "Atu Zero Umum Bakal Nikah Pereka Fesyen 8 Februari Ini". www.mynewshub.tv (in Malay). Retrieved 6 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ OTHMAN, KEMALIA (12 January 2016). "Atu (Zero) Pilih 8 Februari Nikah Pereka Fesyen Enam Tahun Lebih Tua - Hiburan | mStar". www.mstar.com.my (in Malay). Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  13. ^ Samudin, Nor Akmar (22 October 2015). "Zero bina semula rumah keluarga". www.hmetro.com.my (in Malay). Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  14. ^ Mohd, Is (20 December 2017). "Drama Tuyul Ke London Ke Udara di Astro Warna (CH132) & Mustika HD (CH124)". kakimuvee.net (in Malay). Retrieved 6 April 2024.
edit