ACTOR and director Megat Sharizal Mohamed Yusoff has "poured his heart out" into his latest film about his idol, King of Entertainment Tan Sri P. Ramlee.
The film 'Mencari Ramlee' is a poignant look at Ramlee's final years where he felt "forgotten and sidelined" by the very people who once hero-worshipped him.
The semi-fictional story, which is set in the 1970s, is Megat Sharizal's directorial debut and is inspired by two of his favourite Ramlee films — 'Seniman Bujang Lapok' and 'Antara Dua Darjat'.
"It is not only about Ramlee's sad final years, but also about the hardships faced by Malaysian artistes who used to thrive in the heydays of Jalan Ampas Studio in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s," said Megat Sharizal in a recent interview.
Mencari Ramlee boasts a star-studded cast headlined by Datin Sofea Jane, Tony Eusoff and Mimi Lana, as well as Beto Kusyairy, Amerul Affendi, Bront Palarae, Sharifah Amani and Vanidah Imran.
"This film also highlights the fact that Malaysians only began to appreciate and honour Ramlee after his tragic and untimely death," said Megat Sharizal.
"It is a semi-fictional story about the circumstances that led to his death at the relatively young age of 44."
Megat Sharizal, who conceptualised the film in 2012, said that Ramlee inspired him to become an actor and filmmaker.
"I grew up with a good dose of Ramlee films and music. He has always been my number one idol," he said.
Megat Sharizal thanked the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) for assisting him in making his new film. He has made full use of their RM1-million Digital Content Fund (DKD) to realise it.
He thanked his close friends, filmmakers Nik Amir Mustapha of 'Imaginur' fame and Areel Abu Bakar of 'Geran & Walid' fame, for supporting him in his endeavour.
"It is my first time as a filmmaker working with Tony and Sofea. They are fantastic veterans who are so versatile, and they have done a superb job playing Ramlee and veteran actress Zaiton respectively," said Megat Sharizal.
Megat Sharizal has known Tony since his appearance in 'P. Ramlee The Musical' a decade ago.
"He really looks like the legend, and truly encapsulates his spirit. He is the definitive Ramlee actor for Malaysia," said Megat Sharizal.
Megat Sharizal said that he met Sofea on the set of 'Hanyut'. "Back then, I invited her to star in a film about Ramlee someday. She agreed."
When asked about the big screen premiere of 'Mencari Ramlee', he said that it was likely to take place in September, around Malaysia Day.
Sofea said that she had always wanted to appear in a film about Ramlee as he was one of the nation's biggest icons and legends.
"My character Zaiton is one of the legendary actresses who knew Ramlee well. Zaiton is one of three main characters, besides those played by Megat and Mimi, who interact with Ramlee in his final years," she said.
Sofea said that even though the story largely contained fictional dialogue, it was based on real events that happened in the 1970s, involving Ramlee and the people who knew him best.
"Megat has done a great job, the story is well-researched and he has a good eye for detail, right up to the way the characters talk and interact.
"I am hopeful that 'Mencari Ramlee' will be well-received by moviegoers, especially Ramlee fans. It is a compelling story of the great man's lesser-known side which deserves to be shared with Malaysians."
