FIFTY years after his death, Tan Sri P. Ramlee remains an enduring icon, who is revered for his immense talent and the timeless impact of his films.
Even after death, his work continues to captivate audiences with his acting, directing, singing and songwriting prowess.
He also had unparalleled comedic timing and an uncanny ability to connect with the masses, which has left an indelible mark on Malaysian and Singapore cinema and music.
The inspiring story of this beloved figure is set to be chronicled in a new biographical film titled 'P. Ramlee — Jeritan Batinku'.
"To be written and directed by Adlin Aman Ramlie, the film will trace P. Ramlee's journey from humble beginnings to his meteoric rise as a national treasure.
"P. Ramlee was a true visionary who defied boundaries and redefined the entertainment industry in Singapore and Malaysia.
"With this biopic, we aim to capture the essence of this extraordinary man and showcase his enduring legacy," said Inkhouse Pictures Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Khairul Anwar Salleh.
The former vice-president of Astro Malaysia and chief executive officer of Media Prima Television Networks & Primeworks Studios added that the timing was right for this project.
"The film project has been in discussion for a long time now. For me, this is the right time since the film market is progressively doing well.
"There are local films that have achieved box office collections of between RM50 million and RM100 million.
"With a work force exposed to streaming technology as well as interest shown by potential investors for the production of this film, we are confident to take on the challenge of making 'P. Ramlee — Jeritan Batinku'.
"To fulfil our vision, we have selected experienced partners who share our passion for storytelling and innovation.
"Our strategic alliances with Dream Forest Stories (Singapore), Soho Moon Pictures (Ireland), Silver Wolf International (Singapore) and Adlin provide us with invaluable expertise and resources to produce world-class content," he said.
Adlin, who had previously co-directed 'P. Ramlee — The Musical... Hidup, Cinta dan Inspirasi', which was staged at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur, in 2007 said the film will explore the hidden facets of P. Ramlee's life.
"We want to present a P. Ramlee we never knew — one who was bold, adventurous and deeply human.
"It will delve into his personal struggles and triumphs by portraying his tumultuous marriages, the envy he faced from his contemporaries and his unwavering passion for his craft," he said.
'P. Ramlee — Jeritan Batinku' will not only chronicle P. Ramlee's personal journey, but also recreate the vibrant era of the 1960s, immersing audiences in the sights, sounds and cultural landscape of that period.
Adlin added that his previous experience and research about the beloved figure has helped give an insight into how to approach the movie.
"For now, we are still working on beefing up the script. Hopefully, if everything goes well, filming will begin after Hari Raya Aidilfitri next year," he said.
On who would be playing P. Ramlee, he said: "That's a very tough question. Who really would be worthy to be P. Ramlee onscreen?"
As for the cast, Adlin said they are considering inviting artistes from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei to star in the film.