KUALA LUMPUR: The one-time box office king may have taken a back seat to focus on property development but David Teo has "never left show business".
Teo, 58, the head of Metrowealth International Group (MIG) which produced popular 2000s films such as Cinta Kolesterol, 7 Perhentian, Jangan Pandang Belakang and Adnan Sempit has been primarily involved in property development and social media product marketing for a decade now.
Nevertheless he still produces television and online drama series such as Mr Millennium on TV9, Derita Untuk Bahagia on Astro Prima, and Hantu Punya Bos on TV3.
"Most recently I produced Rampas Cintaku, an iQIYI original and it has been a hit with subscribers. Online streaming services are a much more flexible avenue to screen films but some films really need the cinema to be best enjoyed," said Teo at the launch of Astro's new drama series One Cent Thief at Dadi Cinema in Pavilion Shopping Centre today.
Teo said the rise of new promising filmmakers did not "push him out" of the film market, and he merely made a strategic retreat to focus on other passions like social media and property businesses for a change.
"At times you need to do something different so that you can find new ideas and inspirations. Only then will you come up with newer and better films," said Teo.
When asked what type of film would mark his cinematic comeback, Teo said it would be a surprise for now.
"These days I spend a lot of time watching local films and learning from the new directors and producers. I have great admiration for many of them, for example Syamsul Yusof, Dain Said, Namron and Amir Muhammad."
Teo added: "I also promote my dramas on YouTube and TikTok, and feedback has been positive."
Teo is proud of all his proteges such as Shaheizy Sam, the Raja Lawak stars and Fasha Sandha for their career achievements.
He keeps in touch with them and they often share their latest projects with him on social media.
"As a movie man through and through, goodbye isn't part of my vocabulary, but see you later is.
"When the time is right, I'll release a film that packs a punch!" he said.