Lost in Thailand makes Xu Zheng a household name
Staff Reporter 2013-08-13 11:32
Xu Zheng. (Photo/Xinhua)
The comedy film Lost in Thailand has pushed actor and director Xu Zheng to a new realm of fame as the maker of a film that set the domestic box office record for a Chinese-language movie.
Xu is also known for having a good eye for investments in the housing market, the stock market, futures and antiques. For all his recent cinematic success, he has made much more from his investments than from acting.
Lost in Thailand, made for 30 million yuan (US$4.9 million) has taken 1.26 billion yuan (US$206 million) since its release late last year.
Earlier in his career Xu was facing an infringement case in addition to a number of other difficulties but never let go of his dream of being a director, Money Talks magazine reported.
In 1994, Xu graduated from the Shanghai Theater Academy and gradually became a well-known name on the local stage. After being honored with a best actor award, he felt the time was right for a new challenge and decided to leave Shanghai to try his luck in Beijing, where he waited patiently for opportunities.
In 2000, playing the lead role the TV costume drama Chun Guang Can Lan Zhu Bajie based on the character of Pigsy from the classic novel Journey to the West made him a household name. He even invested in the show, and was criticized for doing so.
In Xu's philosophy of comedy, he says one has to have more wisdom than others in order to be humorous. While Lost in Thailand has been criticized by some politicians as being in bad taste, Xu said a comedy must be brought enough to be widely welcomed by the public.
Xu said he has been greatly surprised by Lost in Thailand's success, according to Money Talks. Though this has been very pleasant, he also constantly reminds himself to stay keep his feet on the ground.
As he enters his 40s, Xu said this age is merely the beginning of a man's life. He maintains his low-key Shanghainese lifestyle and does not buy luxuries.
