#SHOWBIZ: 'Blood Brothers' collects RM62mil at box office, sequel in the works
KUALA LUMPUR: Blood Brothers: Bara Naga continues its reign at the box office, raking in a staggering RM62 million in just 20 days (including early screenings) and solidifying its place among Malaysia's highest-grossing films.
The film's success was celebrated in grand fashion with a massive event in Bukit Bintang on Wednesday night.
Around 1,500 fans thronged the iconic tourist hotspot, where giant LED screens showcased the film's impressive RM62 million haul.
The celebration was graced by the presence of producer Datuk Yusof Haslam, along with co-directors Syafiq Yusof and Abhilash Chandra.
The film's stars – Sharnaaz Ahmad, Syafiq Kyle, Shukri Yahaya, Syazwan Zulkifly, Andy Teh, Irfan Zaini, Zamarul Hisham, Ray Dap Dap, Amir Nafis, and Razib Salimin – added to the evening's glamour.
Adding a touch of intrigue, 30 black-suited figures, evoking the image of bodyguards, "took over" the area, injecting an air of tension and drama, and bringing the gritty world of "Blood Brothers" to life.
The night's electric atmosphere was further heightened by an acoustic performance from Genji Busker, who performed the film's theme song, "Bara Jiwa."
"The response has been truly overwhelming and extraordinary. All praise to God for this success, and any shortcomings are our own," said Yusof.
"I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our audiences, who continue to champion Malaysian cinema.
"I am incredibly thankful for this achievement and for the constant innovation that is driving our film industry forward.
"The passionate support of our viewers is our greatest inspiration, and we hope that our films continue to entertain and resonate deeply with everyone."
Yusof expressed confidence that Blood Brothers would surpass the collection of his son Syafiq's 2024 action film, Sheriff: Narko Integriti, which currently holds the No. 2 spot among Malaysia's highest-grossing local films.
"I am confident that Blood Brothers can exceed Sheriff's RM64 million collection," he told Harian Metro.
"I have produced 12 films, and Blood Brothers has received extensive promotion and publicity from co-producer Primeworks Studios, including the cast.
"So far, all the Blood Brothers actors have willingly participated in the film's nationwide tour to meet with audiences. The cast's involvement has been invaluable."
Yusof also revealed ongoing negotiations to screen Blood Brothers in other countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
"I believe it's time for us to take our local films abroad. Therefore, I am determined to negotiate with several countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia," he said.
"We have received approval from Thailand for Blood Brothers to be screened there, possibly in June.
"Before that, we need to allocate an additional budget for the language translation process, which I am happy to do to ensure its success."
Meanwhile, Syafiq expressed his gratitude to his father, Yusof, whose company, Skop Productions, provided half of the RM7 million budget for Blood Brothers, and to Primeworks Studios for their extensive promotional support.
"Thank you, especially to my father, for investing in Blood Brothers, and to Primeworks Studios for their invaluable assistance with promotions," Syafiq said.
"I've given my best to this film, and I'm incredibly grateful to the audience for their support. We'll be back with a sequel, Blood Brothers Part 2: Perang Naga!"
The success of Blood Brothers: Bara Naga marks a watershed moment, demonstrating the potential of local action films and paving the way for more ambitious and high-quality productions.
It also reflects a growing appreciation among Malaysian audiences for homegrown films that deliver a world-class cinematic experience.
Blood Brothers: Bara Naga is currently showing in cinemas across Malaysia, as well as in Singapore and Brunei.
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