{
  "id": 6710317,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: From 'Pop Kuiz' host to scriptwriter: Rina Khan embraces behind-the-scenes life",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/showbiz-from-pop-kuiz-host-to-scriptwriter-rina-khan-embraces-behind",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T05:00:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/09/1530396/showbiz-pop-kuiz-host-scriptwriter-rina-khan-embraces-behind"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Once a beloved television host and actress, Rina Khan has completely shifted her focus towards screenwriting. The 56-year-old, who gained fame for her role as host of the popular quiz show Pop Kuiz alongside Datuk Aznil Nawawi, revealed to a press conference for Pentas Drama TV AlHijrah 2026 that she has always been more at ease behind the camera. Rina officially abandoned acting in the early 2000s, with her screenwriting journey beginning in 1996. Before venturing into scriptwriting, she had first explored writing novels. She also dabbled in directing, but ultimately decided to retire from the role due to a lack of energy. Rina, who admits to being shy and uneasy in front of the camera, confessed that her acting career was never truly her passion. She aspired to write, and this preference led to her eventual dedication to screenwriting as her full-time profession. Her most notable acting appearance was on Pop Kuiz, the show that kept her name familiar in the public eye. Since then, Rina has focused solely on her writing, with her latest project being the script for Azan Terakhir Seorang Banduan—a drama depicting a former prisoner's journey to rebuild his life while enduring continuous scrutiny due to his past. This drama, directed by Jamal Khan and featuring Rosnah Johari, Zaidi Omar, and Amir Khan, is set to make its premiere on AlHijrah Plus (AH+) on October 11.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Former television host and actress Rina Khan has long left acting behind to focus fully on her career as a screenwriter.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rina Khan shifts from TV host to screenwriter",
    "56-year-old actress focused on behind-the-scenes work",
    "Latest project: script for Azan Terakhir Seorang Banduan"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Rina Khan's shift to screenwriting marks a return to her true passion and comfort zone, allowing her to leverage her creativity while eschewing the spotlight that made her a household name.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}