Words Bruce Emond Illustration Mufty Fairuz

During his teen years, Rio Dewanto was a member of a rock band, but instead of the music studio he ended up heading to the movie set and becoming an actor. He acted in many movies in quick succession, from Pintu Terlarang (The Forbidden Door) in 2009, to the hit Filosofi Kopi (Coffee Philosophy) in 2015. He is currently preparing for Garuda 23, the story of Indonesian peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, and making his debut as a producer with his wife, actress Atiqah Hasiholan, for the film Wonderful Life. The always smiling Rio enjoys getting out of Jakarta on the weekends, when his schedule permits.

My best traits …

I’m a caring person, and I smile easily.

And worst …

Sometimes I am too ambitious and my ego makes me a bit selfish.

If I were not an entertainer, I would have been …

A businessman, maybe. I tried a livestock business once.

I would never …

I’m confused, there’s a lot of things I would never do. I would never disappoint my parents.

My best lesson …

I got many from acting and the roles I play.

The love of my life …

Atiqah, because she knows me so well. She’s my other half.

I like my music …

As classic rock and roll.

The bravest thing I have ever done …

I used to be afraid of heights. Then I had the chance to do a shoot that included bungee jumping, and I did it. Now I would like to skydive.

My favorite destination …

So far, Komodo Island and Mykonos. Komodo is so beautiful, the scenery and the marine life. Mykonos is so dreamy; it felt like another world.

Food I love …

Indonesian food; Padang and Manadonese.

And food I hate …

To be honest, I don’t like Indian food. I don’t like overly fragrant curry and a lot of spices.

My biggest regret …

When I was in high school, it was quite chaotic. I moved to a lot of schools and dropped out at one time.

In tough times I …

Go to my parents’ house, and talk with them.

The superpower I wish I had …

I would want to fly.

I am bored by …

When I am in a circle where everybody is talking about the bad things about other people.

My ideal weekend …

I always try to not be in Jakarta, but sometimes work requires me to be here.

The best thing about being an entertainer, and the worst …

I can get a lot of connections from entertainment, and I can also become someone outside of my actual self in the roles I play. It’s something that I always try to study and develop; to be someone different. The worst is that sometimes, as an entertainer in Indonesia, there are many people who don’t consider it a real job. So they who go into entertainment just to make money, to be an artist, not to have a long-lasting career.

If I could change one thing about myself …

To be more talkative with people I just met; I can be a bit of an introvert with those I have just gotten to know.

And Indonesia …

We have a lot of cultures and islands, let’s develop them from the economic and educational aspects, so they are on the same level. And also to change our mindset that is sometimes too conservative.

In 10 years, I will be …

I would be 38 then. I hope I will still be acting, but I hope I will have a resort in Flores or Eastern Indonesia. And I would have a phinisi ship that would give me something to take care of outside of my acting work.

My life motto …

I never expected to be where I am today. But I think in life don’t have too high expectations, and then things will come to you as a surprise.

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