A Malaysian man, Shazali Sulaiman, has ignited a storm on social media with his unconventional business idea: offering a "villain for hire" service.
The 28-year-old entrepreneur rents himself out as a staged troublemaker, giving clients a chance to intervene and play the hero in front of their partners or romantic interests.
Inspired by his appearance—long hair, biker clothing, and a rugged look—Sulaiman capitalized on the way he was often mistaken for a gang member. His service offers clients the chance to show off their masculinity and impress their partners by confronting him in a staged confrontation.
For a fee, Sulaiman will pick on the client’s partner in a public place, allowing the client to step in and play the hero, resolving the situation by “taking down” the villain.
"Are you tired of your partner thinking you are weak? For a reasonable fee, I can help you prove them wrong,” Sulaiman wrote in a viral social media post promoting his service. "Just tell me the time and place, and I will show up to ‘disturb’ your partner, giving you the chance to step in as the hero."
The service is priced at 100 ringgit ($22) during weekdays and 150 ringgits on weekends, with an additional charge for travel outside Sulaiman's hometown of Ipoh. In a recent post, he shared a story of a staged confrontation at a shopping centre where a boyfriend stepped in to “save” his girlfriend from Sulaiman’s playful harassment, as part of the act.
The response to the service has been split. While some praised Sulaiman for his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, others expressed concern, accusing him of harassment. Critics warned that his actions could cross legal boundaries, even though Sulaiman maintains that it’s all just a staged act with no harm intended. "It’s like WWE," he explained. "No one gets hurt, I’m the only ‘loser.’”
