01/08/2026

LYFE SATURDAY | AUG 1, 2026

24

Lucky Lu gets fortunate break

Ű BY ASHIQIN AHMAD

L LOYD Lee Choi’s Lucky Lu emerged as the biggest winner at the 9th Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA), taking home the coveted Best Film prize during the closing ceremony of the 9th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest). The film impressed the international jury with its intimate storytelling and nuanced exploration of identity, resilience and belonging, earning recognition as this year’s standout feature among an international lineup of films. “I would like to accept this award not as a recognition, but as encouragement to keep making movies in the future,” Lloyd said during the award ceremony. Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa was named Best Director for Aisha Can’t Fly Away , which was praised for its restrained yet emotionally powerful portrayal of displacement, survival and human dignity. Acting honours were shared across several countries, with Sri Lankan actor Mahendra Perera winning Best Actor for his performance as Sergeant Udayasiri in Riverstone . The Best Actress award was jointly presented to Ong Xuan Jing for Ah Girl and Lila Gueneau for Silent Rebellion , with both recognised for emotionally layered performances. Riverstone also secured another acting accolade when Priyantha Sirikumara received Best Supporting TAMIL blockbuster Jana Nayagan , starring popular Indian actor-turned politician and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, has made a strong start in Malaysia, having grossed RM3 million in advance ticket sales. The film, distributed in Malaysia by Malik Streams Corporation, marks one of the biggest releases in the country for a Tamil-language production. Malik Streams Corporation founder Datuk Abdul Malik Dasthigeer, when met by Bernama, said the overwhelming response to Jana Nayagan reflected Vijay’s

Laxe’s Sirat as the Audience Choice Award winner. The film follows a father and son travelling through the deserts of southern Morocco in search of a missing family member, unfolding into a poignant story about grief, resilience and familial bonds. Beyond the competitive awards, the ceremony also recognised two prominent figures in Asian cinema. Renowned South Korean director Lee Chang-dong received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to world cinema. Best known for acclaimed films such as Peppermint Candy , Oasis , Poetry and Burning , Chang-dong has earned international recognition for his emotionally rich storytelling and literary approach to filmmaking. Chinese actor and filmmaker Wu Jing was presented with the Award for Excellent Achievement in Film, honouring his contributions to Asian action cinema. From his early career as a national wushu champion to becoming one of China’s most influential action stars and directors, Wu has helped shape the modern action genre in China and internationally. The awards marked the conclusion of the nine-day MIFFest, which this year was held under the theme “Resonance”, celebrating films and filmmakers whose stories continue to connect with audiences across cultures.

o Tale of resilience wins Best Film at Malaysia Golden Global Awards

Award recipients take the stage during the 9th MGGA, where Lucky Lu claimed the festival’s top honour for Best Film. – HANDOUT PICS Lu (left) may be the unluckiest man in New York, but this understated immigrant drama ultimately asks whether luck has any place in a city where survival belongs only to the toughest.

Actor, while Audrey Lin (Li Li-li) won Best Supporting Actress for Girl . Another standout of the evening was The Red Hangar , which collected two awards. Diego Pequeno won Best Cinematography for the film’s striking visual style, while Luis Emilio Guzman was honoured with Best Screenplay for his nuanced script exploring loyalty, history and political conflict. Emerging Singaporean filmmaker Ang Geck Geck (Priscilla) received the New Hope Award for Ah Girl , recognising promising new voices in international cinema. Festival audiences selected Oliver

Jana Nayagan opens strong in Malaysia, Vijay receives invite to visit country enduring popularity among Malaysian audiences.

Mic Drop regional comedy tour to feature Asian stand-up comics

MALAYSIA will be the first stop for Mic Drop: Asia’s Wildest Comedy Night , a new regional stand-up comedy tour that brings together established comedians from across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. The tour begins at Olive Tree Hotel in Penang on Oct 2, followed by Mega Star Arena in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 3. The tour then heads to Hilton Kota Kinabalu on Oct 8 before concluding its Malaysian run at Sheraton Kuching on Oct 10. Headlining the tour is Singaporean comedian Kumar, joined by an international lineup that reflects the growing popularity of Asian stand-up comedy on the global stage. Rather than presenting individual headline acts, Mic Drop brings together comedians with different comedic styles, backgrounds and cultural perspectives in a single showcase. Known for his sharp observations, improvisation and audience interaction, Kumar closes each show as the headline act. Joining him is Dubai-based comedian Saaniya Abbas, whose material explores identity, relationships and everyday life with a direct, conversational style. Australian comedian He Huang brings her signature deadpan delivery and observations on navigating life between cultures, while Sydney-based comic Harry Jun adds fast-paced improvisation and energetic crowd work. Representing Malaysia is comedian Prakash Daniel, who serves as the evening’s host. Having toured extensively with Kumar,

On Dec 27 last year, Malaysia hosted the Jana Nayagan audio launch event at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, which attracted about 85,000 fans and earned recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records. It was also reported that Malik met Vijay in Chennai recently to congratulate him on assuming office as chief minister and personally extended an invitation for him to visit Malaysia. He expressed hope that Malaysia would become Vijay’s first overseas destination after taking office, saying such a visit would strengthen the longstanding cultural, tourism and economic ties between Malaysia and Tamil Nadu. “Malaysia and Tamil Nadu share deep historical, cultural and people to-people ties that span generations. We look forward to welcoming the chief minister to Malaysia and further strengthening cooperation in tourism, trade, investment, education and the creative industries,” he said. During the meeting, Malik also presented Vijay with a copy of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s book Rethinking Ourselves: Justice, Reform and Ignorance in Postnormal Times. The book bore a handwritten message from Anwar that read: “Dear Chief Minister Vijay, congratulations. Looking forward to further collaboration – against corruption and for good governance.”

Malaysia serves as the launchpad for the regional tour. – HANDOUT PIC Prakash guides audiences through the show while connecting each performance with his own brand of observational humour. Several regional comedians also join selected tour stops. Harith Iskander performs exclusively during the Kuching and Australian shows, while Phoon Chi Ho returns to the stage with his trademark dark humour. Australian audiences will also see Sri Lankan-born comedian Dilruk Jayasinha, known for his appearances on LOL: Last One Laughing Australia . Unlike traditional stand-up performances, Mic Drop incorporates audience participation throughout the evening. Each comedian includes their own crowd interaction segment, ensuring that every performance differs from the last. Organised by LOL Asia, Mic Drop continues to the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore on Oct 17.

A poster for Jaya Nayagan , starring Vijay.

Anwar had earlier spoken to Vijay by telephone to congratulate him on his appointment as chief minister. During the conversation, the two leaders discussed strengthening ties between Malaysia and Tamil Nadu, while Anwar also expressed hope of making a brief visit to Tamil Nadu during his planned trip to India for the BRICS Summit. Vijay, 52, whose full name is C. Joseph Vijay, was sworn in as chief minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10 after his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won the highest number of seats in the closely contested state election and secured the support needed to form the state government.

Vijay is the recently elected chief minister of Tamil Nadu. – PICS FROM IMDB