Star Awards 2023: Das DD Plans To Message PM Lee About His Best Rising Star Win

Das DD has made history at the Star Award 2023 — by becoming the first Indian in the show’s 28-year history to win in a performance category. 

The #JustSwipeLah host, whose full name is Dharmadasa D Dharamahsena, took home Best Rising Star at the ceremony held at Marina Bay Sands on Sunday (Apr 9), beating fellow #JustSwipeLah anchor Jernelle Oh, Jarrell Huang (In Safe Hands), Kiki Lim (When Duty Calls S2) and Joey Pink (Soul Detective).

Speaking in Mandarin, a visibly tearing Das blurted in his acceptance speech, “I’m so surprised that I can’t speak Mandarin.”  

The 33-year-old polyglot — who speaks English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil — went on to thank the #JustSwipeLah producers for taking a gamble on him to host a Mandarin show. “Because if I were the producer, I wouldn’t have picked me,” he said.  

He also owes the fans big time: “Their support gave me the courage to do the show.” 

Before Das, Gurmit Singh was the only other actor of Indian descent to compete in the Star Awards. Gurmit has made the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes list, but has never been nominated in a performance category, where the winner is picked by a panel of judges. 

“I appreciate the recognition,” says Das, still sobbing, when 8days.sg caught up with him. “I need to continue to work hard and do what I love every day of my life.” 

He hopes his win will inspire “all Malays, Indians, everybody from all walks of life, anyone who has a goal.” 

He says, “[This award proves] that anything is possible for anyone who dreams!” 

Besides Best Rising Star, Das, a former content creator with Night Owl Cinematics, was also vying for Most Popular Rising Stars. He lost to the Top 3, Ayden Sng, Richie Koh and Gao Mei Gui. 

Did Das vote for his fellow rivals in that category?

“I’ll be very honest — I was just voting for myself…. No lah!” says Das. “I did vote for Kiki, Zeliang… One day three votes ma! I also voted for Hazelle [Teo]. Because they are all dear friends of mine.”  

How does Das plan to celebrate?

“I don’t have my phone with me right now, so I don’t know who’s inviting me [to any after-show party], so I’ll probably see how it goes later this evening — because I got work tomorrow,” says Das, laughing.

Das went viral in 2020 for parodying Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Circuit Breaker announcement where he changed the language he spoke every time he took a sip from his ‘magic’ ceramic cup. 

Is Das going to share the news with Prime Minister Lee?

“I’m not sure if he is watching the show,” says Das. “I will send him a message tonight and just tell him [or] just send him a news article that says I won.

“If he replies, he replies — he’s a busy man.”

Watch Das’ backstage interview here:

Catch the encore for the Walk of Fame and Award Ceremony on Apr 16, Channel 8, 2pm-6.30pm. It is also available on meWATCH and Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel. 

Photo: Mediacorp Photo Unit