[5] The following year he appeared in another Bramantyo film, Perempuan Berkalung Sorban (Woman with a Turban); he considered the script very interesting, citing it as his reason for joining the cast.

[8] In 2011, Oka Antara was approached by producer Shanty Harmayn for the leading role of Rasus in Ifa Isfansyah's film Sang Penari (The Dancer).

In preparing for the role as a malnourished young man, Oka Antara cut back on his food intake; he later splurged when he had to play Rasus as a soldier.

[5] His acting in the role led to a Citra Award nomination for Best Actor, although he lost to Emir Mahira of Rumah Tanpa Jendela (House Without Windows).

[10][11][12] Due to this, there was an accidental incident involving him where an official mistakenly recorded his religion as Islam instead of Hindu, resulting in a religious conversion rumor and shocking his family.