Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Chong Keat Aun, the film delivers a career-defining performance by international icon Fan Bingbing and secured three major wins at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards, marking a significant milestone for Malaysian cinema. From May 10 to 14, Chong Keat Aun will lead Fan Bingbing alongside Bai Run-yin, Natalie Hsu, and Pearlly Chua on a nationwide tour across Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Melaka, Penang, and Kedah, where they will meet fans throughout the country, with full tour details to be announced.
Inspired by folk legends of a mysterious witch in the paddy fields of Kedah, “Mother Bhumi” is set in the 1990s, where land disputes in a Siamese village trigger a series of strange and unsettling events. By day, the protagonist is a farmer, but by night she becomes a ritual healer, caring for her community while resisting dark forces and confronting deeply rooted tensions surrounding borders, ethnicity, power, and patriarchy. Blending elements of magical realism, female empowerment, and land-related issues, the film received eight nominations at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards and went on to win Best Leading Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Film Song. Through her powerful portrayal of the “Kedah Witch,” Fan Bingbing earned her first Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress.
The film has also received international acclaim, having been selected for the main competition at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival and the 28th Udine Far East Film Festival. At Udine, Fan Bingbing will be honored with the Golden Mulberry Award for Outstanding Achievement, sharing the recognition with legendary Japanese actor Kōji Yakusho.
Malaysian cinema is gearing up for a powerful moment as Banduan, the highly anticipated action thriller by director Kroll Azry and led by star actor Aaron Aziz, prepares to storm theatres nationwide on 6 November 2025. Even before Malaysian audiences get their first look, the film has already piqued the interest of distributors in major international markets including the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada a rare feat that signals a rising appetite for homegrown stories told with cinematic ambition.
Featuring a formidable cast that includes Rosyam Nor, Afdlin Shauki, Fadhli Masoot, and Adlin Aman Ramlie, Banduan pairs emotional intensity with high-octane, tightly crafted action sequences. Produced by Number Twenty One Media and Dream Warrior Pictures, the film stands as a testament to Malaysia’s evolving capabilities in filmmaking blending scale, style, and heart in a way that resonates both locally and globally.
Adapted from the acclaimed 2019 Tamil blockbuster Kaithi, the film honours the essence of its inspiration while forging a path uniquely its own. The creators emphasise that this is not a simple remake, but a reinterpretation rooted in Malaysian culture, identity, and social realities. Through reworked character arcs, emotional beats, and storyline pacing, Banduan explores themes of redemption, fatherhood, authority, and sacrifice all framed through a distinctly Malaysian cinematic lens. The story takes place over one intense night, following Dali, a former prisoner on a desperate mission to reunite with his daughter, and Inspector Johari, who races against time to save his poisoned comrades. Opposing them is Rejab, a ruthless crime leader portrayed by Abi Madyan, pushing both men to confront moral boundaries and fight for survival.
Aaron Aziz immersed himself deeply into the role, undergoing tactical training and even learning to drive a lorry for authenticity a new challenge in his extensive acting career. Director Kroll Azry praised his dedication, describing Aaron’s performance as one grounded in quiet strength, emotional depth, and human vulnerability.
Beyond its storyline, Banduan carries a bold ambition: it marks the foundation for Malaysia’s first interconnected cinematic universe. While the film stands firmly as a self-contained narrative, the filmmakers have planted seeds for future expansions should audiences embrace the world. This vision, inspired by the legacy of Kaithi yet fully adapted to Malaysian sensibilities, reflects the growing confidence of the local film industry to build long-form storytelling worlds.
The film will premiere in Malaysia and Brunei on 6 November, followed by Singapore on 13 November, and is set to make its international debut at the International Film Festival of Australia. Discussions with potential distributors across key global markets are already underway, marking a historic moment for the Malay-language action genre on the world stage.
For producer and executive producer Kalyana Devan, the international attention is both encouraging and symbolic. According to him, global distributors were intrigued not only by the film’s origins but by how the Malaysian team re-imagined the narrative to reflect Southeast Asian cultural nuances, emotional dynamics, and narrative grit. This milestone, he believes, is not just for the film, but for Malaysian cinema at large a signal that the world is ready to listen to Malaysian voices in mainstream action storytelling.
With its blend of adrenaline-charged action, moral conflict, emotional sincerity, and cinematic ambition, Banduan arrives with the promise of redefining what Malaysian films can be proudly local in spirit, yet undeniably global in vision and scale. Audiences nationwide can witness the rise of this new chapter in Malaysian storytelling when Banduan officially opens in cinemas on 6 November 2025.
The creative spotlight shone brightly this October as the Starlight Institute of Screen and Stage Media made its official debut with a grand launch and open house event held at Starlight Arena, Plaza 51. The event marked an important milestone for Malaysia’s growing creative industry, symbolizing a new chapter for aspiring filmmakers, performers, and storytellers. The Starlight Institute aims to bridge academic learning with hands-on industry experience, nurturing a new generation of screen and stage professionals ready to take on the global entertainment landscape.
Guests, media representatives, and aspiring talents were treated to a first-hand look at the institute’s creative training facilities, curriculum pathways, and mentorship programs under the Performing for Camera Academy and the Screen & Stage Creative Department. The launch was graced by several distinguished guests, including Starlight Chairman Andrew Teok, Managing Director Kenny Piong, CEO Aaron Lim, and Chek Hup Group Managing Director Joseph Tan, all of whom expressed their shared vision to elevate Malaysia’s creative arts education to international standards.
The highlight of the event was the official announcement of the upcoming feature film “Bola dan Impian”, a Malaysian sports drama that tells the uplifting story of an underdog all-girl Under-18 football team from a small town striving to reach the national championship. The film embodies themes of courage, teamwork, and perseverance, showcasing the dreams of young Malaysians who defy the odds. It also introduces three promising new actresses Seri Nur Adriana Elisa, 18, Lucinda Lew Xin Yee, 16, and Aarhthi Sivenesan, 16 who were discovered through the Project Starlight talent development initiative.
According to Starlight CEO and producer Aaron Lim, the institute is not just an academic center but a bridge connecting education with real-world film production. He emphasized that Starlight provides an opportunity for emerging talents to train, perform, and shine on screen, reflecting the institute’s mission to foster creativity and industry readiness. From over 100 nationwide auditions held during Project Starlight Audition 2025, only 30 were shortlisted, and three were ultimately selected for the lead roles in “Bola dan Impian”.
Aaron further shared that the film is a collaborative effort between the Starlight Institute and Chek Hup, one of Malaysia’s most beloved homegrown coffee brands. The partnership aims to promote young and rising stars across the Southeast Asian film landscape, aligning with the global excitement surrounding FIFA 2026. A symbolic jersey-signing ceremony between Aaron Lim and Joseph Tan took place to commemorate the collaboration between “Bola dan Impian” and Chek Hup.
The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Starlight Institute and several key education and industry partners, including Falcon TVET University US represented by APAC CEO Calvin Chong, Aotu Theatre represented by Director Noel Neoh, Antplus Entertainment represented by Director Ash Lu, Synergy Media Entertainment represented by Yvonne Lee, and JM Music represented by Michael Kek. These partnerships are expected to strengthen Starlight’s creative ecosystem, providing students with access to international collaborations and industry-driven opportunities.
“Bola dan Impian” is directed by Rayson Ng, a seasoned commercial and drama filmmaker with over 17 years of experience in media production. As the founder of Seed Entertainment and Brain Your Brand Sdn Bhd, Rayson has directed more than 1,500 projects spanning commercials, documentaries, and dramas. His impressive portfolio includes collaborations with notable brands such as Hong Leong Bank, Medico, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Known for his expertise in sports-related productions and passion for empowering young talent, “Bola dan Impian” marks Rayson’s debut as a feature film director.
Producer Aaron Lim, meanwhile, is an award-winning filmmaker and writer best known for his acclaimed mystery thriller “C144: Human x Nature” (2022), which won Best Writer at the Alternative Film Festival in Canada and Best Feature Film at the Eastern Europe Film Festival. Beyond his achievements in filmmaking, Aaron is deeply involved in nurturing new creative talent, having established the Starlight Institute to provide structured mentorship, hands-on production experience, and professional training for Malaysia’s next wave of film and performance artists.
Filming for “Bola dan Impian” is scheduled to take place in Johor from November to December 2025, with its theatrical release set for May 2026. The production aims to blend powerful storytelling with authentic sports action sequences, offering audiences an inspiring portrayal of determination and teamwork.
The Starlight Institute of Screen and Stage Media, located at Starlight Arena in Plaza 51, functions as both an education and production hub under the Starlight Screen & Stage Academy. It offers professional programs in film acting, media performance, and production arts, empowering Malaysian talents to connect with international opportunities in film and media.
Through initiatives like Project Starlight, the institute continues to discover and nurture emerging talents through nationwide auditions, structured mentorship, and real-world production experiences. The 2025-26 edition of Project Starlight features the Starlight Trainee Audition, a six-month professional program in acting, dance, and media performance that leads directly to film and stage opportunities.
The launch of the Starlight Institute and the announcement of “Bola dan Impian” mark a bold step forward for Malaysia’s creative landscape. It stands as a testament to the growing collaboration between education, industry, and artistrypaving the way for a new generation of storytellers to take the stage and shine on screen.
