Datuk Sudirman Arshad's nephew Atai said that the success of local films internationally spells the right time for a biopic of his illustrious uncle
EVERY year around the months of August and September, many Malaysians will recall the late, great Datuk Sudirman Arshad.
Not only was he our King of Entertainment alongside Tan Sri P. Ramlee, but he was also the best known icon of Malaysian patriotism, especially with his Jalur Gemilang crown and cape and his evergreen Merdeka songs Tanggal 31 and Warisan.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Sudirman's death, and there is a special exhibition on him at Bukit Bintang's popular Fahrenheit88 Shopping Centre from now until Sept 30.
EMULATE SUCCESSFUL BIOPICS
While good exhibitions of the great entertainer's photos, costumes, press articles, video clippings, cartoons and lyrics help introduce him to young Malaysians born after his demise, his nephew, Razman Azrai Zainuddin or Atai, believes that a Sudirman biopic would once again make his uncle a household name.
Having watched the acclaimed Elvis biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann and the Freddie Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, directed by Bryan Singer, Atai, 49, feels the time is ripe for good Malaysian producers and directors to tell Sudirman's story on the big screen.
TRAVELLED THE WORLD
"Elvis and Bohemian Rhapsody were fantastic, they truly moved me. After watching them I thought, perhaps our filmmakers can come up with a Sudirman biopic that not only pays tribute to him, but also to Malaysian entertainment, which is truly world class," he said at the launch of Warisan Sudir: Tribute Kepada Penghibur Nombor 1 Malaysia at Fahrenheit88 recently.
"If we can produce a beautiful film about Pahang's great hero Mat Kilau, I'm sure we can produce one about Pahang's best known hero Sudirman, as we have many world-class filmmakers whose films have 'travelled' around the world."
LARGEST EXHIBITION
Warisan Sudir, the largest exhibition in honour of Sudirman to date, was officiated by the Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah.
Also present were National Archives of Malaysia director-general, Jaafar Sidek, Kamura Enterprise chief executive officer, Syarifah Aswatul Hassanah Syed Mamat, Fahrenheit88 chief executive officer of retail, Datuk Joyce Yap and Sudirman's family members.
PICTURE PERFECT
Atai does not have a particular actor in mind to play Sudirman, but he believes that Que Haidar is "picture perfect".
"Que has the Sudirman look and is a versatile character actor. The only problem is that he may have to be partnered with a good singer who provides him with a singing voice," said Atai.
Another person Atai believes can portray his uncle is singer-actor Hafiz Suip.
"I've seen him sing Sudirman songs during his days in Akademi Fantasia, and he's brilliant. He's a natural entertainer and has a melodious voice.
"Even though he still loses to Que when it comes to looking like Sudirman, Hafiz has a great advantage in that he can sing, dance and entertain like a true Sudirman fan, which he is."
EVOLUTION OF MUSIC
If the Sudirman movie were to become a reality, Atai hopes the producer and director would not only focus on his uncle's journey to stardom, but also highlight the evolution of Malaysian music, which Sudirman absorbed while growing up.
"Like the Elvis and Freddie Mercury movies, real-life singers who were icons (should) have guest appearances. They are vital in exposing fans of Sudirman to Malaysia's rich world of showbiz, and how it shaped the man himself," said Atai.
PROLIFIC CARTOONS
Atai added that his uncle's prolific cartoons about his life story could serve as useful guides for the producer and director, as Sudirman's sketches were realistic and captured the essence of his life in the village and later the big city.
"I'm ready to share some interesting facts with the production team, such as the fact that Sudirman designed his own costumes with help from dressmakers and tailors who were his old friends. The future actor should also be familiar with Sudirman's favourite quotes, colours, expressions and artworks."
HERITAGE TRAIL
Atai is happy that the Pahang government is making Sudirman the centre of attraction for visitors to his hometown Temerloh.
"They plan to include him in their Muzium Tokoh (Museum Of Famous People) and later develop a Sudirman heritage trail of sorts in Temerloh. The trail will include his birthplace, school and places that helped shape his career," said Atai, adding that Sudirman's dream was to unite Malaysians through music and bring Malaysian music to the world.
BIG FAN
Meanwhile, comedian Yassin Yahya of Senario fame is busy promoting Warisan Sudir via Yastar Productions, a merchandise and memorabilia company co-owned with his wife, Farah Wahida Maharidan.
Both Yassin and Farah are big fans of Sudirman and they "jumped for joy" when the exhibition's co-organiser, Kamura, roped them in as publicists and promoters.
Yassin said: "Sudirman left us three decades ago but he lives forever in our hearts. We are both staunch fans of the legend.
"He is the best icon of Keluarga Malaysia, a visionary man of the arts, a nation-builder and one of the greatest sons of Pahang, together with Mat Kilau."
JOURNEY AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Syarifah Aswatul said she was thankful that Sudirman's family was fully behind the exhibition.
"Having a state-of-the-art exhibition that highlights Sudirman's journey and achievements is the best way to make him known to the younger generation.
"Warisan Sudir is our first major exhibition and we hope to organise similar exhibitions for other great Malaysian stars in future," she said.
PROMOTE PRODUCTS
Warisan Sudir, which opened on Aug 12, features about 200 items belonging to the legendary singer.
The exhibition is organised by the National Archives of Malaysia, Kamura and Fahrenheit88 in conjunction with National Day.
Kamura is the sole company authorised by Sudirman Asset Management, the corporation headed by Atai, that manages the late singer's assets, to produce products that carry his name.
BINTANG RTM WINNER
Sudirman, who died at the age of 38 on Feb 22, 1992, put Malaysian music on the world map.
He rocketed to fame after winning talent search show, Bintang RTM, in 1976. His illustrious musical career lasted 16 years, during which he was also a composer, lyricist, actor, writer, cartoonist and entrepreneur.
Born on May 25, 1954 in Temerloh, Pahang, Sudirman's passion for singing began during his pre-teen years when he sang for his siblings and neighbours. He then read law and received his degree from Universiti Malaya.
The peak of his popularity came in 1989 when he won Best Performer at the Asia Music Awards 1989 held at London's Royal Albert Hall.
As a writer, Sudirman penned a children's book titled Taming Si Budak Pintar.
He also starred in a film called Kami, which was released in 1982.
As a businessman, Sudirman was Malaysia's first successful singer-entrepreneur to launch his own carbonated drink, Sudi.
NATIONAL DAY SONG
He was posthumously awarded an Anugerah Industri Muzik award and a street in his hometown was named after him.
In 2014, Malaysia's 57th National Day's theme "Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta" paid tribute to the first line of his patriotic song, Warisan.
MUSICAL AND FILM
Sudirman, who has 14 albums to his credit, was awarded a posthumous Datukship from the late Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang in 2009. He received the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang.
In 2013, Istana Budaya staged a musical tribute to Sudirman titled Chow Kit Road! Chow Kit Road! after his hit song. It starred Anding Indrawani Zaini and the late Adibah Noor.
The same year also saw Hoore! Hoore! Malaysia's first Sudirman musical movie directed by Saw Teong Hin. It starred Akim Ahmad, Kilafairy and Adibah.
MALAYSIA BOOK OF RECORDS
In 2016, Atai and six singers performed some of Sudirman's greatest hits in One Thousand Million Smiles, a tribute concert at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre.
Sudirman's iconic Jalur Gemilang costume, which he wore at the 1989 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, has entered the Malaysia Book Of Records as the country's longest costume (120 metres) decorated in the national colours.
