Latest news with #Borhan
The Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Malaysia's iconic superhero Keluang Man finally soars to the silver screen
This film tells the story of Borhan, a psychiatric patient in Kluang, who lives a double life as the mysterious vigilante Keluang Man. Photo: Keluang Man/Instagram After decades of nostalgia and years of anticipation, Keluang Man, Malaysia's original animated superhero, has finally made his live-action debut in cinemas nationwide. Released on May 29, the big-screen adaptation breathes new life into a local legend, blending action, humour and heartfelt storytelling in true Malaysian style. Directed by Anwari Ashraf, the man behind Polis Evo and Project: High Council , Keluang Man is not just another superhero flick. It's a tribute to Malaysian pop culture, a reinvention of an iconic character from the 1990s, and the start of the Astro Shaw Cinematic Universe (ASCU). This film tells the story of Borhan, played by Nas Muammar Zar, better known as Nas-T, a psychiatric patient in Kluang who lives a double life as the mysterious vigilante Keluang Man. Haunted by a voice in his head which is voiced by radio icon Halim Othman, Borhan finds himself pulled between delusions, memories and justice, especially when confronted with his estranged brother Shamsir, played by Datuk Remy Ishak. The story unfolds with a quirky cast of characters including Shweta Sekhon as Dr Malini, Borhan's psychiatrist, and Anwaar Beg Moghal as Inspector Sahab, her relentless brother who is hot on Keluang Man's trail. Datuk Rosyam Nor rounds out the cast as Ahmad, Borhan's aged but wise mentor. Speaking at the movie's gala premiere, lead actor Nas-T admitted that stepping into Borhan's complex world was both a challenge and a triumph. 'It's all thanks to director Anwari Ashraf, who wrote and directed it, and I entrusted everything to him. 'He moulded my character, and I followed his direction faithfully,' he said. In a particularly emotional twist, beloved radio host Halim returns not in body, but in voice. Lending his 1990s-era persona to a voice inside Borhan's head, Halim shared how surreal the experience was. 'Anwari told me about a superhero film with a character inspired by me, tied to the golden days of Roda Impian . 'I was touched by the director's imagination in wanting to capture Malaysia's memories from around 1998 to 2000,' Halim said. For Halim in particular, Keluang Man is considered a generational bridge that would bring people together. 'This isn't just a superhero film, it's a creative journey connecting nostalgia with a new generation,' he said. Shot in Kuala Lumpur, Kluang, Klang and Ipoh, Keluang Man took over two years to produce, with a reported budget of RM13 million. It represents the first full-fledged live-action adaptation of a local animated icon, originally created by the late Kamn Ismail. Director Anwari described the film as a love letter to fans and a vision of more local heroes to come. 'I hope audiences will embrace this film and help reignite the spirit of the superhero Keluang Man, so that his legacy can be passed down from one generation to the next,' he said. – Sinar Daily
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Perfect live adaptation for Malaysia's caped crusader
MALAYSIA'S first original superhero Keluang Man may sound like he is a local version of Batman, but the only similarity they seem to have is that they are both caped crusaders. For starters, Batman became a masked vigilante by night, fighting crime in Gotham City, because criminals made him an orphan. Keluang Man, however, did not know who his parents were as he was rescued from a child-trafficking syndicate and raised by a skilled silat master named Ahmad. And while Batman's alter ego Bruce Wayne inherited his rich parents' vast fortune and used it to come up with state-of-the-art crime-fighting devices, Keluang Man's alter ego Borhan lives a miserable life in the mental hospital of his crime-infested city Tumpoi, a thinly veiled reference to Tampoi in Johor Baru. An iconic superhero created by the late Kamn Ismail in the 1990s, Keluang Man was a hugely popular animated series during that decade and also had his own comics. And it has taken Anwari, the brilliant visionary behind the 'Polis Evo' film trilogy to script and direct it for the big screen. Keluang Man's movie stays 100 per cent true to the cartoon and depicts our hero as a man full of cheeky humour. As in the cartoon, 'Keluang Man The Movie' follows Borhan (Nas Muammar Zar alias Nas-T of 'Kami The Movie', 'Air Force The Movie' and 'Tanda Putera' fame), a psychiatric patient who regularly escapes his asylum. But when his past returns to haunt him, the man with dissociative schizophrenia embarks on a vengeful path, unaware that this journey will transform him into Keluang Man. Nas, an underrated actor who has been active since the 2000s, is brilliant as Borhan/Keluang Man, for he looks like his animated character and imitates his mannerisms meticulously. Like his animated character, Nas' Borhan breaks the fourth wall, expounds his thoughts in bubbles, takes viewers into his mind and listens to strange voices in his head. Nas' knowledge of self-defence, which helped him greatly in 'Air Force' and 'Kami', also comes in handy for his Keluang Man role, as our hero is more physical than Batman, having learnt silat from Ahmad (Datuk Rosyam Nor). And as a patient, Nas infuses Borhan with an awkwardness that allows him to blend in nicely with his fellow inmates. As for Rosyam, the character of father figure Ahmad is tailor-made for him, as Ahmad is a stern yet compassionate mentor who always has Borhan's back. Datuk Remy Ishak also has his character Shamsir tailor-made for him. If Batman had The Joker as his formidable foe, Shamsir is Keluang Man's answer to the clown prince of crime, even if they do not resemble each other. Shamsir is destructive, and plants explosives all over Tumpoi, just as Jack Napier/The Joker does in Gotham City. However, Shamsir is ruggedly handsome and was once Borhan's best friend. No Keluang Man adventure is complete without Inspector Sahab Singh and his younger sister Dr Malini, and first-timers Anwaar and Shweta are perfectly cast. While Sahab is somewhat like Spider-Man's Jonah Jameson, who at first detests him, he gradually warms up to Keluang Man and begins to play the role of Commissioner Gordon. Dr Malini is the only character who cares for Borhan and always motivates him to believe that he is not crazy but unwell. As for the supporting characters, Amelia Henderson is great as Kathy, the fearless television reporter who becomes Keluang Man's ally along the lines of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' April O'Neill. The most interesting cameos are provided by Naim Daniel, a young fan who might become Borhan's sidekick Tiong Man, and Senario's Wahid Mohamad and Azlee Jaafar as two "nice" inmates. A love letter to the generation that grew up in the 1990s, 'Keluang Man' has everything for viewers. Filmed in the Klang Valley, Kinta Valley, Tanjung Malim and Kluang with superb cinematography, this movie is perfect. Fans can expect many famous cameos from Malaysian movie history plus throwback hits from the 2000s. NOW SHOWING KELUANG MAN DIRECTOR Anwari Ashraf STARRING Nas Muammar Zar, Datuk Remy Ishak, Datuk Rosyam Nor, Shweta Sekhon, Anwaar Beg Moghal, Halim Othman, Amelia Henderson, Sham Sunder, Dennis Yin, Naim Daniel, Mierul Aiman, Nadhir Nasar, Daniella Sya, Wahid Mohamad, Azlee Jaafar, Delimawati, A Galak
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Selangor extends rental aid for Putra Heights blast victims to one year
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has extended its rental assistance programme for victims of the gas explosion in Putra Heights to up to one year. State Housing Committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said the RM2,000 monthly rental aid would be continued to ensure victims had proper shelter until their homes were fully rebuilt. "The state government had previously agreed to cover six months' rental for the victims, starting in April. "However, we have decided to extend the assistance to one year or more, especially for those whose homes were completely destroyed, as rebuilding will take more time," he said today. It was previously reported that the Selangor government had allocated RM2.73 million to provide rental support to 455 families affected by the gas pipeline explosion and fire in Putra Heights in early April. The April 1 incident left 81 houses completely destroyed with more than 40 per cent structural damage, another 81 houses partially damaged, 57 affected but not burned, while 218 homes, including those in Kampung Tengah, Puchong, were left unscathed. Borhan added that for homes which sustained partial damage, the rental assistance would continue until repairs were completed. "Some houses may take up to seven or eight months to be repaired. For homes that were only slightly damaged and have already been restored, assistance will be discontinued once the families move back in. "We will monitor each stage of the repair work to coordinate the aid effectively. In total, we estimate over RM4 million will be spent on rental subsidies for the affected victims," he said.
Hype Malaysia
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
'Keluang Man' Review: Malaysia's Own Big Screen Superhero Has Come To Save Us All!
If you grew up in Malaysia in the early 2000s, 'Keluang Man' will probably strike a nostalgic chord. After all, that classic animated superhero shaped many childhood Saturdays. Now, in 2025, he finally takes flight in a fresh, live-action reboot. But this time, kids, their parents, and even older generations are rooting for him. A Nostalgic Comeback The story centres on Borhan (Nas-T), a man rebuilding his life after struggles with mental health in the town of Kluang. Donning the Keluang Man mask, he takes on a shadowy criminal syndicate led by the intimidating Shamsir (Remy Ishak). Alongside him are Inspector Sahab (Anwaar Beg Moghal), the relentless cop trying to keep the peace, and Dr. Malini (Shweta Sekhon), who becomes Borhan's emotional anchor through his turbulent journey. Nas-T is a perfect fit, effortlessly balancing comedy and introspection. Even if you missed the original animated series, his portrayal makes Borhan's double life as an underdog hero feel real and compelling. What Makes Keluang Man Work At its core, the film is an action-comedy rollercoaster. The director skillfully balances humor and action, delivering nostalgic comedy beats that genuinely made me laugh – those moments hit the right notes without feeling forced. But a few slow patches threaten to stall the momentum, occasionally pulling you out of the fun. One of the coolest creative choices is how the film cleverly blends animation with live-action. For example, it slips in animated characters like Usop Sontorian. This is a wink that fans of Malaysian cartoons will surely appreciate. Moreover, it adds a playful layer to the story, making the experience even richer. The jokes land just right – relatable without the cringe factor – and the soundtrack deserves a shoutout. Krisya and Sekumpulan Orang Gila (S.O.G) breathe new life into the original Keluang Man theme. They inject the film with vibrant, nostalgic energy. This energy complements the scenes beautifully. Nostalgia Meets New-Age Flair Beyond being a fun ride, 'Keluang Man' stakes a claim for Malaysia's own superhero legacy. It's a story full of heart, humour, and unmistakably local flavour. For the younger crowd glued to Marvel and DC, this film plants a flag. Our homegrown heroes can definitely hold their own. By the end, the film left me riding a strong wave of nostalgia and genuinely excited for what's next. Rumor has it Naim Daniel might join as the sidekick in 'Keluang Man 2' – now that's a sequel worth waiting for. 'Keluang Man' will be in cinemas on 29th May. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
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New Straits Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Putra Heights gas blast: First 140 residents receive RM2,000 rental aid
Previous Next KUALA LUMPUR: Some 140 residents affected by the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion have received their RM2,000 monthly rental assistance. Selangor Housing and Culture executive councillor Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said a further 130 residents were expected to receive their aid next week through the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS). "LPHS has already distributed aid to 140 individuals. We have just received new documentation from the Petaling District and Land Office involving 130 more residents. Aid for them will be disbursed next week," he told the New Straits Times. Borhan said that 185 individuals had yet to submit the necessary documents, and therefore, their aid could not be processed at this time. Earlier today, the New Straits Times reported that several residents claimed they had yet to receive the monthly RM2,000 rental assistance. Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari's press secretary, Jay Jay Denis, said he would personally liaise with the residents' association as soon as possible to help resolve any outstanding issues. "All residents who submitted a copy of their bank account details along with a matching copy of their identity card to the Petaling District Office have received their RM6,000 rental aid, which covers three months. "We still have over 100 families who have yet to submit their documents. I will personally reach out to the residents' association promptly to help address any previous issues that may have delayed the submission of these two documents," he said. On April 7, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said that the state government would provide rental assistance of RM2,000 per month for six months to 613 households affected by the April 1 gas pipeline fire. The initiative is expected to cost the state RM7.35 million. Amirudin also said that 78 Airbnb units would be made available to affected families, with the platform offering two months' free stay. On April 27, Borhan said that LPHS would disburse three months' worth of rental aid — totalling RM6,000 — directly to the residents in one lump sum. He also said that the Selangor government was offering 100 housing units to those affected by the incident.
