After more than 15 years in Malaysia's Tamil film industry, director Viknes Perrabu is making his directorial debut in a Malay-language feature with The Keris, an action film that celebrates the heritage of the keris, ancient Malay martial art silat and legendary warrior Hang Tuah.
For the 38-year-old filmmaker, the film is far more than an attempt to break into a new market. It is the culmination of his ambition to create a film that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds while introducing Malaysia's history and cultural heritage to a wider audience.
Viknes said his lifelong passion for history was one of the key inspirations behind the project.
"I've loved history since my school days. It was always one of my favourite subjects and that passion has been reflected in many of my previous Tamil films," he said in an interview recently.
Viknes said he originally planned to produce a film centred on silambam, the traditional Indian martial art. However, after evaluating market trends, he and producer Dr N. Matheyalagan decided to shift their focus to a Malay-language film showcasing silat.
"Silat also carries a rich historical legacy. That’s when the idea of elevating Hang Tuah as the core of the story emerged," he said.
The Kedah-born director stressed that the decision to direct a Malay-language film was not about moving away from Tamil cinema but rather a strategic effort to reach a broader audience while demonstrating that local stories can be presented on a much larger scale.
However, Viknes, whose Tamil productions include Sathuriyan, Paramapatham, Agrinai and Veera Karrupu, admitted that creating a film centred on Malay history and culture required meticulous research and careful attention to detail.
To ensure authenticity without compromising the film's commercial appeal, he enlisted the expertise of experienced director and screenwriter Datuk Zulkifli M. Osman, along with other advisers, to verify the accuracy of the language, historical facts and Malay cultural elements portrayed in the film.
Viknes said the development of The Keris took nearly two years, encompassing historical research, script development, casting and pre-production.
He admitted that initially, he felt intimidated directing an experienced cast that included legendary actor Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan. However, he credited the strong teamwork and commitment of the entire production crew for bringing the film to life.
Filming took place in Kedah, Penang, Perlis, Perak and Thailand.
Beyond celebrating Malay heritage, Viknes said the film also carries a message of national unity by featuring a multiracial cast, alongside an international actor in a key role, making it a film intended for all Malaysians.
"I don't want to make grand promises, but I'm confident every ringgit spent on a ticket (to watch the movie) will be worthwhile. Audiences won't regret watching the film… it will be money well spent," he said.
Meanwhile, Matheyalagan acknowledged that producing The Keris was no easy undertaking as the production team faced numerous challenges, including building trust among a multiracial crew, securing suitable filming locations, selecting the right lead actor and managing a large-scale production.
He said the production budget eventually reached RM2.2mil, significantly exceeding the original estimate due to the construction of elaborate sets, filming in several locations and the involvement of more than 200 crew members throughout production.
Looking ahead, Matheyalagan said discussions are underway with Netflix to bring The Keris to the international streaming platform, allowing the film to reach a global audience after its theatrical run. - Bernama
The Keris is showing at cinemas nationwide.
