Brilio.net - In pursuing a career, nothing is easy or instant. There must be a process that goes through from the bottom until you finally achieve what you dream of. This applies to all areas of work. Whether it's being a businessman, artist, police officer, and many more. This was also what the man born February 12 1983 did.
Before entering the world of acting on the international stage, he worked as a shuttle driver for a telecommunications company. The story was told through a program on a private television station. His former boss testified on the TV show that before he was famous, his employee was loved by many women.
"Many people called me, especially girls. They asked me to just stay on the shuttle. Special request," said Siswanto, the actor's former boss at one of the events, quoted by brilio.net on Monday (19/2).
photo: Instagram/@iko.uwais
For those who can't shoot, the actor who used to work as a driver in question is Iko Uwais . Summarized from various sources, Iko, who only graduated from high school, applied for a job at the company with only a driving license (SIM).
Driver was his first profession, so at that time he only operated shuttle buses in the Kuningan area. He worked for approximately a month, before finally receiving an offer to represent Indonesia in the UK Open pencak silat championship in England.
photo: Instagram/@iko.uwais
It is true that the man whose real name is Uwais Qorny is a great Indonesian pencak silat athlete. Iko studied pencak silat since the age of 10. And in 2003, he won third place in the DKI Jakarta level pencak silat tournament.
The following two years, he was named the Best Pesilat in the demonstration category at the national pencak silat championship. Through pencak silat, Iko Uwais also got the opportunity to go abroad, such as England, Russia, Laos, Cambodia and France.
photo: Instagram/@iko.uwais
Iko's life journey changed when he was invited by a Welsh director, Gareth Evans, to star in his action film 'Merantau' (2009). The filming process was carried out at Iko's martial arts school. He then chose Iko Uwais as the main character.
Who would have thought, this film turned out to be Iko Uwais' first step in becoming a famous film actor. Even though he is now a famous Hollywood actor, it turns out that Iko was once paid IDR 15 thousand when he was an extra.
"I have participated in castings. In 2002 I participated, but maybe God hasn't given me the opportunity to enter that world. Maybe it's not the time yet. The 15 thousand honorarium is for round trip fare," said Iko, quoted from Merdeka.com, Sunday (18 /2).
photo: Instagram/@iko.uwais
The collaboration between Iko and Evans didn't stop with the film Merantau. Iko was again invited to a film project directed by Evans entitled The Raid (2012). From this film, Iko Uwais' name as an action actor became increasingly widely known to the public.
One year after the film The Raid, Audy Item's husband starred in the first Hollywood film, entitled Man of Tai Chi. He was seen playing a role as an extra in the film directed by Keanu Reeves. Iko Uwais has played in quite a number of Hollywood films, even if only in cameos.
Some of them are Star Wars: The Force Awakens (cameo named Razoo Qin-Fee), Beyond Skyline (cameo named Sua), Mile 22 (as a police officer named Li Noor), Triple Threat (as a hitman named Jaka), and Stubber ( drug smuggler named Oka Teijo).
photo: Instagram/@iko.uwais
Almost all films starring Iko Uwais are hits on the market. His career began to rise as time went by. Iko even admitted on YouTube Atta Halilintar, entitled "Atta Tawar Mercy Classic Iko Uwais!!", that one film played could cost up to 1 million USD.
"(Playing the film) GI Joe, I can get 1 million (now reaching Rp. 15.5 billion), USD 1 million," said Iko, quoted from YouTube AH.
From these achievements, it is not wrong that Iko Uwais currently has a large residence in a luxury complex. The house is not only expensive, but can accommodate many guests because the room is large.
photo: Instagram/@iko.uwais
Iko Uwais' house as a whole has a white-white nuance, typical of gedong houses in general. Inside there is a spacious living room, kitchen with a cool kitchen set, cool master bedroom, and large private swimming pool facilities.
Of course, Iko and Audy's house is filled with quality furniture such as sofas, storage cupboards, shelves, beds, refrigerators, dining tables, other electronic items, as well as decorations that complement the aesthetic value of Iko's house.
Well, that's a glimpse of Iko's unexpected career journey. Who would have thought that the father of two children used to work as a shuttle driver and was paid Rp. 15 thousand when he was an extra.