08/07/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | JULY 8, 2025

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Sentuhan Wira aims to be smashing success O VER three decades after a defining moment in Malaysian sports history, the national men’s last Wednesday, in conjunction with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the relevant parties, witnessed by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) o Historic 1992 Thomas Cup victory set to hit silver screen who were key players in the squad at the time, were appointed as production advisers. They are also directly involved in the script development to ensure factual accuracy and to convey the true spirit of the team’s journey to the audience. Rashid said the film is not just about badminton, but a cinematic piece that reflects struggle, belief and national pride as Malaysians.

(From left) Nick, Lenny, Rashid, Cheah, scripwriters Maizura Ederis and Shah Rizal Mashur at the film’s press conference. – PICS FROM BERNAMA

badminton team’s triumphant 1992 Thomas Cup victory is set to hit the silver screen. The film, titled Sentuhan Wira (Touch of a Hero), was launched by producer Victory Pictures Sdn Bhd

He also described the film’s production as an important platform to share the experiences of former players with the younger generation, while highlighting the spirit of unity that existed within the national team at the time. “We want the current generation to feel what we experienced as players and to witness the unity and strong patriotic spirit among us. Although we came from different races, we still succeeded together for one purpose,” he told reporters after the MoU signing. “Yes, it has been a long time – 33 years without winning the Thomas Cup. So, with the release of this film, we hope it can boost the spirit of our current players to become more motivated. What is more important is the spirit of patriotism, not individual glory, but the collective drive to bring honour to the nation,” he said, adding that back then, they placed national The sequel to Malaysia’s hit animated feature Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2) is enjoying a strong run in Indonesia, with its theatrical release now extended to 240 cinemas, more than triple the number when it premiered last month. In just five days, the movie has attracted over 174,000 moviegoers of all ages, especially children, marking a significant milestone for the homegrown animation in a competitive entertainment market. WAU Animation CEO and EATM2 director Usamah Zaid Yasin said the team had not expected such an overwhelming reception, particularly as Indonesia does not operate a “mandatory screening” system like Malaysia. “We entered the market at the perfect time during the school holidays, backed by strong local

chairman Datuk Gerald Hans Isaac. Under the MoU, two national badminton legends – Datuk Rashid Sidek and Datuk Cheah Soon Kit –

Legendary badminton player Cheah. pride above personal interests. Meanwhile, Sentuhan Wira director Lenny Ooi said he will present an action-directed style, with filming that emphasises realism in the training and match scenes. “The actors selected must also be

Rashid will be a consultant to the film.

able to play badminton – otherwise, their movements will look stiff,” he said. He added that filming is expected to begin at the end of this year, and the movie is slated for release in early 2027. – Bernama

Sentuhan Wira will serve as an important platform to share experiences of former players with the younger generation.

Amylea to release new songs this year

Ejen Ali 2 scores big in Indonesia, expands to 240 cinemas nationwide

partnerships, distributors and a communications agency that truly understands the Indonesian audience,” he said. Usamah attributed the film’s early momentum to the loyal Ejen Ali digital fanbase in Indonesia, cultivated over the years through YouTube and social media, alongside strategic collaborations with Indonesian animation studios and a soundtrack feature with popular local band Nidji. He said these localisation efforts gave the film a familiar touch and a sense of ownership for Indonesian viewers – and he expects viewership to continue rising in the coming weeks. With momentum building, EATM2 is expected to debut in Cambodia, following recent successful runs in Singapore and Brunei, cementing its growing regional footprint. Reflecting on the challenges of

IN her career spanning two decades, singer and composer Amylea Azizan has gone through various phases – from ups and downs that have shaped her maturity to the evolution of her artistic style. To mark her 20-year involvement in the local music scene, the Kendati singer expressed hopes to reward her fans with a few new songs, expected to be released in August or September this year. “I have a few song options that have not been finalised yet. We are still thinking about it – most likely two or three, like a set of singles,” she said after appearing as a guest on Show Buzz , produced by Bernama Radio recently. Regarding the genre selection, the singer said she will be exploring different genres, some catering to listeners’ tastes and others that are close to her heart as a songwriter. Amylea, who released the single Masa earlier this year, is now actively promoting a duet with cosmetics entrepreneur Datuk Alha Alfa titled Pamit , released two weeks ago. Touching on her achievements in the industry, the composer of the song Raya Nak Ke Mana? said she is content with her artistic journey and proud of her body of work over the past two decades, although her name is not very prominent compared with the popularity of the songs she has produced thus far. Throughout her career, Amylea has collaborated to create songs for

EATM2 is also expected to debut in Cambodia. international expansion, Usamah said assembling the right collaborators was critical. “The first movie had a smaller scale and limited traction. This time, with stronger backing from Media Prima and our Indonesian partners, we saw a leap in visibility and cinema presence,” he said. He added that dedicated media strategies and a better understanding of the local market helped drive engagement and ticket sales. He expressed hopes that it would set a stronger foundation for Malaysian creative works to reach wider audiences abroad. Produced by WAU Animation in collaboration with Primeworks Studios, the film which follows the story of a 12-year-old boy who accidentally becomes a spy, has grossed nearly RM60 million to date, with more regional releases in the pipeline. – Bernama

Amylea expects to have new songs in the can by August or September. many well-known artistes, including Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Ernie Zakri, Marsha Milan, Imran Ajmain and Hael Hussaini. “I do not have the exact number of songs I have created, but recently we went through close to 100 songs while preparing a mini showcase to celebrate the fans who have supported me all this while. For me, I have reached a point where I can say ‘wow’. I am grateful for this – it was not easy to get the ideas. It is a crazy achievement, even if not all the songs I have written are popular,” said Amylea, who admires the works of Noh Salleh and Yuna. – Bernama

The movie’s theatrical release has extended to 240 cinemas across Indonesia. – PICS FROM INSTAGRAM @EJEN ALI THE MOVIE