Actress Nadia Brian looks forward to her grandmother’s duck rendang every Hari Raya
Actress Nadia Brian said this is the first time in a long while when she is not working during Ramadan. And she's making full use of her well-earned break.

Since making her debut in the industry, Nadia has worked consistently in films (Blok 404, Bu, Kasih Suci, Ratu Kala Jengking: Puteri Keranda, Rumah Madu Ku Berhantu), dramas (Cinta Tanpa Henti, Titian Takdir, Scammer, Suri Hati) as well as on stage and telemovies (Super Menantu, Air Mata Zulaikha).

At the Malaysia Film Festival in 2021, the 32-year-old scored a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Bu, Kasih Suci.

“I am more excited about Ramadan than Hari Raya because during Ramadan you get to be with your family, but for Hari Raya, you have to give everyone duit Raya (money), right?” Nadia said with a laugh.

Jokes aside, the actress – whose full name is Nadia Najwa Mohamed Rashidi – said that she decided to take a break this Ramadan as she wants to take her mother and grandmother to their hometown in Kelantan.

However, when Hari Raya comes around, Nadia figures they’d be back in Selangor to celebrate with immediate family members.

“Celebrating Hari Raya is a simple affair as I am still single. It’s the same thing for me every year – spend time with family, relatives and good friends. That’s the normal Raya for me,” said Nadia, whose grandfather on her mother’s side is originally from Australia and whose surname she has decided to use as her stage name.

“I love laksa Kelantan. My one other favourite Raya dish is my grandmother’s rendang itik (duck) – it’s so good! And my grandmother only cooks that dish on Hari Raya,” said Nadia, whose grandmother lives in Selangor as well.

“Well, technically, we can ask her to cook this dish on any other days but we don’t want her to do that. We want it to be especially for Hari Raya.

“That is the dish I am waiting for every Syawal ... rendang itik,” she reiterated.

Besides the good food, Nadia highlighted that the best Hari Raya is always when all her family members are in one place.

“Now that my brother and my sister are married and they have their own families, it is very difficult for everyone to come together at one time.

“When it happens on Hari Raya, it is always great.”
In 2021, the 32-year-old scored a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in 'Bu, Kasih Suci'.