MALAYSIAN film and screen veteran Sheila Rusly is no stranger to controversy.

She went home one day to find that someone had thrown an egg at her garage.

'I assumed somebody who disliked me or Sahara threw it,' she says with a bemused shrug.

That would be Sahara Malique, the manipulative and materialistic seductress she plays in the hit Malay TV series ManjaLara, about a fat girl with a fat inheritance.

Based on the popular Venezuelan series Mi Gorda Bella (My Sweet Fat Valentina), the 75-episode ManjaLara airs here on Sensasi (StarHub Channel 40), Mondays to Fridays at 9pm, and will end its run on April 11.

Sheila's stoic and nonchalant poise speaks of a confidence born of long experience.

In a career spanning 20 years, the 37-year-old has played everything from a hilarious Indonesian maid in the 2003 comedy MX3, to a vicious Thai villainess in the 2005 horror flick Pontianak Menjerit.

It is no wonder then, that she is a household name here and across the Causeway.

The versatile actress has also hosted popular Malaysian cooking programme Citarasa Selebriti, which aired here last year. On the show, she invites celebrities to share and cook their favourite recipes.

However, she is also known to be quite the tough cookie, with a reputation for clashing with other stars.

Newspapers avidly reported animosity between her and fellow TV personality Raja Azura over the hosting of popular Malaysian gossip show, Melodi, three years ago.

According to reports, Raja was replaced by Sheila while on maternal leave, and did not have her contract renewed when she returned. The show went with other hosts instead, and Raja accused Sheila of conspiring with the station to shut her out.

Sheila, her cool demeanour betraying no trace of emotion, says: 'I'm not like that actually. But people can say whatever they want.'

Mean reputation or no, her talent has been recognised in the showbiz world. She won the 2004 Best Regional Actress award in Pesta Perdana, MediaCorp's version of the Emmys for Malay programmes, for her role in the locally produced drama Tetangga.

Besides acting, the busy mother of two boys aged 11 and seven also owns production house J.S Pictures with director husband Azman Yahya, 38.

They are currently producing the fourth season of Citarasa Selebriti.

'I have a very good husband who understands my career, and my boys never complain if I come back late,' says Sheila, on how she balances family life with her multiple commitments.

1. At the Malaysian Popular Stars Award, you have won Most Popular Comedy Actress from 2003 to 2006. With the 2007 results coming out later this month, how do you rate your chances?

It doesn't really matter. What's important is people appreciate my work.

I don't want people to stereotype me though. It's all up to the fans. I've done many other kinds of characters but I think the fans always want me to appear in comedy.

2. Now that you're approaching 40, do you face competition from younger actresses for roles?

No. I always welcome the newcomers. If we don't have anybody new in this industry it's also salah (wrong).

People don't want to watch me every day.

3. What was it like playing Sahara Malique in ManjaLara?

When you look at her you feel like slapping her. (chuckles)

For the six months I played the role, I felt angry and uneasy. It's emotionally tough. But you still have to be professional and do it.

4. You have a MySpace account. Do you personally manage it and interact with fans?

It was opened by my company but sometimes my brother helps me to update it and I can keep in touch with fans.

I love to meet my fans. And maybe if I get comments from them, I can upgrade myself in future.

5. In 2005, you had a restaurant venture that did not pan out. How did you cope with failure?

I couldn't face anyone. It was like having a nervous breakdown. I invested a lot and I did not get back a single cent.

I may go into the food business again because I love cooking, but not at the moment.

6. You've had some clashes with colleagues in the past, and are known for having a sharp tongue. How do you cope with criticism and bad publicity?

People can say whatever they want to say. I'm tired of defending myself, seriously. It's the price I have to pay, being a celebrity. People think they know you better than you know yourself.

7. You went on a pilgrimage to Mecca last December and have now taken to wearing a tudung (headscarf). Has the trip made you want to change your image in any way?

I'm still the same person except for the scarf. I'm still doing the things I did before. So there are no major changes.

Even on TV, you can still see me being very loud and lively. I'm still the same person.

8. Complete this sentence: If I could live my life again, I would...

Be an even better person to my family, my fans and my colleagues.

ManjaLara airs on Sensasi (StarHub Channel 40), Mondays to Fridays at 9pm.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Mar 3, 2008.