‘I’m hard headed ... but I will say sorry’

Happy Salma is an author, award-winning actress and movie producer. Her intellectual cred – she also has a degree in business administration – is not an effort to live down her drop-dead gorgeous looks. “Somebody asked me if I didn’t like being called sexy,” says Happy, who is married to a Balinese prince and produced and starred in the new art-house picture Description Without Place. “Well, it’s better than being called a murderer or corrupt.”

My childhood was …

Amazing! Growing up as the fourth of six children in Sukabumi, before the traffic jams and the factories. We were expressive children, living in a house with a big yard. It was like Little House on the Prairie.  

I am …

A lover of life. Unafraid. And ... happy, because I have gone through my PMS!

I am sad when …

People I love are sad, like my mom. I’m sadder than they are. And when people judge us but we don’t have a chance to answer them. But then, whatever.

My best traits …

I am a hard worker, and forgiving. And I accept things sincerely.

And worst …

I’m hard headed. I only realize it when I have fallen down. But I say sorry!

I would never …

Sell my dignity.

Craziest thing I did …

Getting married (laughs). Because it’s not easy. It’s about commitment. I got married at age 30, when I had my career and earnings and was happy with my life. Then you have to share and be understanding with another person, let go of your ego. It’s difficult. That’s why I admire my parents so much for staying together until my father died.

My advice to my younger self, acting in TV soaps …

Be careful, Happy, and understand that work influences people’s attitudes.

Love of my life …

Living without any fear. A broken heart is nothing compared to the worry when our parents are sick and we wake up every day wondering what will happen to them.

My beauty secret …

Confidence. As women, we often feel intimidated or uncomfortable. But it’s best to say, “I don’t care”. I don’t feel beautiful all the time. I sometimes feel like I’ve chosen the wrong outfit, or I’m fat. And of course there is PMS.

Favorite writer …

Pramoedya Ananta Toer. I had the courage to act in a theater production because I love literature, and I’ve learned a lot from it, especially about people’s characters. I view Pramoedya, aside from any deficiencies he may have had, for his great works and for his commitment to what he believed in. I respect him for that: It is so difficult to keep to.

Money is …

Important, but it’s not everything. We need it to eat, to travel, sometimes to communicate. If we lose it all, though, we can simply look for more.

The talent I wish I had …

To paint and play a musical instrument, especially the bass. I love the paintings of Raden Saleh and Affandi. I took lessons but I had to acknowledge that, like singing, I just don’t have the talent.

People would be surprised to know …

I’m a bit hyper. I never stop thinking. I’m really eccentric actually. My husband said that to me, and I realized he’s right.

I’m nervous …

Around clever people, talented musicians or writers. I am afraid that they will think of dme as stupid. There is a lot of skepticism about our motives for doing things, like, “why is a soap star trying to write?” But as I’ve got older and more experienced, I don’t care so much.

I lie …

When I am in a corner, or a person will feel very sad if I tell the truth – a white lie but for a good reason. But I don’t like lying.

My dream dinner guest …

It would be impossible, but Morrissey. Because I like the old songs, and he’s different and confident about himself and people follow him. He seems cool but actually he’s weird. I like people like that. I’m not a good cook, but I’d make him Sundanese food. It would be fine.

My life motto …

Out of the dark dawns light.

I want to die …

Without causing bother to anyone. And I hope people will remember the good things about me. 

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