KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Sandra Lim, who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2024, says years of working as a stunt actress helped pave the way for her transition into acting.
Beyond the pageant world, Lim had spent years performing stunt work before making the leap to on-screen roles.
Her acting debut came in the 2025 local feature Money Games, followed by her role as Jade in Gayong 2, which was released last month.
She now returns to the big screen in The Furious: Pertaruhan Maruah, playing Lydia alongside actors Zul Ariffin, Sky Iskandar, Ikmal Amry, Zamarul Hisham and Marisa Yasmin.
In an interview with Malay Mail, Lim said she hopes to take on more emotionally driven characters in future projects, despite her interest in action, horror and military-themed films.
“This film really inspired me in terms of connecting with yourself and staying in touch with your emotions, and I think that’s what the cast achieved in this film.
“There are many films focused mainly on action, but I feel that if I can bring a character with real depth and portray an emotional connection, it will resonate with audiences too,” she said.
Lim also joked that many people had asked her to star in a romance film, something she said she would be open to exploring.
She credited her stunt career for exposing her to experienced actors and inspiring her to pursue acting seriously.
While filming Money Games with Hong Kong actors Raymond Lam and Bobby Au-yeung, Lim said she experienced the “aura” of a film set for the first time.
She added that working with Beto Kusyairy in Gayong 2 and Zul Ariffin in The Furious: Pertaruhan Maruah further motivated her to pursue acting.
“When I see their performances, I feel deeply moved — with just one facial expression, they can tell a million stories.
“That’s when I really felt like I want to explore something new,” she said.
The Furious: Pertaruhan Maruah is set for nationwide release on May 28.
Lim described the film as emotionally impactful, saying the intense training and sacrifices made during production contributed to its realism.
She recalled accidentally landing a real uppercut during a fight scene with Sky Iskandar to make the sequence feel more authentic.
“That’s why the film is impactful,” she said.
Watching the film during its gala premiere at GSC Mid Valley yesterday proved emotional for the actress.
“When I watched this movie, it was so touching and relatable,” she said, adding that the experience moved her to tears.
“I feel this is more of a film about brotherhood and family instead of just action,” she concluded.
