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KajoPicks: 18 Bollywood romance movies you must watch

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Bollywood romance movies are popular for their main leads breaking into lip-syncing and dancing every now and then.

For Malaysians who have grown up watching Bollywood movies on national TV, their captivating plots, dramatic acting and humour transcend cultural boundaries and always leave us wanting more.

Here are 18 Bollywood romance movies you must watch at least once in your life:

1.Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)

This list would not be complete without Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. It is one of the highest-grossing Bollywood movies in India and abroad.

The plot circles around the love triangle story of Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan), Anjali (Kajol) and Tina (Rani Mukerji).
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai marks Karan Johar’s directorial debut who later directed, produced and wrote many Bollywood blockbusters.

Watch the trailer here.

2. Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

When Naina (Preity Zinta) falls in love with her terminally-ill neighbour Aman (Shah Rukh Khan), Aman tries to get her friend Rohit (Saif Ali Khan) to fall for her instead.

Karan Johar wrote this movie and co-produced it with his father, Yash. It was the last film Yash was involved with before his death in 2004.

Watch the trailer here.

3. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

Here is another movie produced by a father-son pair. Aditya Chopra directed and co-wrote this film while his father Yash produced it.

The story follows Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol) who fall in love during a vacation through Europe.

Watch the trailer here.

4. Veer-Zaara (2004)

The subject of cross-boundary love between India and Pakistan has been a popular theme for many Bollywood movies.

However, the most memorable of the bunch is Veer-Zaara in which Veer (Shah Rukh Khan) is an Indian Air Force pilot who falls in love with Zaara, a Pakistani woman from Lahore.

Watch the trailer here.

5. Hum Tum (2004)

Not all Bollywood romance movies are about forbidden and unrequited love.

Starring Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mekerji, Hum Tum follows the encounters of the two leads over several years and various meetings until they eventually fall in love.

Watch the trailer here.

6. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Loosely based on Maitreyi Devi’s Bengali novel Na Hanyate, the movie is another Bollywood cliched love triangle story.

The movie starred Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and Aishwarya Rai.

Watch the trailer here.

7. Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)

Who wouldn’t want to compete for the love and attention of King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan onscreen or off-screen?

Understandably in this movie, two dancers played by Madhuri Dixit and Karishma Kapoor were both in love with Rahul played by Khan.

Watch the trailer here.

8. Mohabbatein (2000)

If it is a movie starring King of Bollywood (Shah Rukh Khan) and Shahenshah of Bollywood (Amitabh Bachchan), then you have to watch it.

Mohhabbatein follows the story of a headmaster (Bachchan) who enforces a strict rule of no romance among his students. Then, comes a music teacher (Khan) who is a strong believer of the power of love.

Watch the trailer here.

9. Devdas (2002)

Set in the early 1900s, Devdas was one of the most expensive Bollywood film ever produced.

It follows the story of Devdas (Shah Rukh Khan) who is in love with his childhood sweetheart Paro (Aishwarya Rai) despite his family’s objection.

Watch the trailer here. 

10. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001)

This movie is famous for its tag-line “It’s All About Loving Your Parents.” And the parents who acted in this film are real life husband and wife, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan.

In the story, Amitabh plays a successful businessman who is against his adopted son’s marriage with a poor girl.

Watch the trailer here.

11. Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008)

Jai (Imran Khan) and Aditi (Genelia D’Souza) are two best friends with completely different personalities. Their families and friends believe they are meant for each other but they disagree.

Watch the trailer here.

12. Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)

Directed by Yash Chopra, this film stars Shah Rukh Khan as Samar, a bomb disposal expert, who has a whirlwind romance with Meera (Katrina Kaif).

This is Chopra’s final film before his death in 2012.

Watch the trailer here.

13. Om Shanti Om (2007)

A fictional love story wouldn’t be fun without some reincarnation going on. This story follows Om (Shah Rukh Khan) a junior artist in the 70s who died trying to rescue his love and was then reincarnated as a superstar in the 2000s to avenge his love.

Shah Rukh’s wife Gauri Khan produced this film.

Watch the trailer here.

14. Kaho Naa Pyaa’r Hai (2000)

Would you fall in love with your deceased boyfriend’s doppelganger? Apparently in Kaho Naa Pyaa’r Hai, it is possible to do that.

Ameesha Patel in her first acting role as Sonia falls in love with a guy who looks exactly like her dead boyfriend played by Hrithik Roshan.

Watch the trailer here.

15. Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002)

Raj (Hrithik Roshan), Pooja (Rani Mekherjee) and Tina (Kareena Kapoor) are three childhood friends. And in true Bollywood fashion, Raj is attracted to Tina while Pooja is attracted to Raj. Who will he choose in the end?

Watch the trailer here.

16. Myaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998)

Myaar To Hona Hi Tha is a remake of the 1995 Hollywood film French Kiss starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline.

It stars real life married couple (who were still dating when this movie was filmed) Ajay Devgn and Kajol.

Watch the trailer here.

17. Jab We Met (2007)

Here is another film starring then real life dating couple, Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor.

Jab We Met is about Geet (Kareena) who bumps into Aditya (Shahid) on an overnight train to Delhi and somehow gets left stranded in the middle of nowhere.

The couple reportedly broke up in 2007 during the shooting of this film.

Watch the trailer here.

18. Lootera (2013)

Inspired by O.Henry’s short story The Last Leaf, Lootera is a period romance directed by Vikramaditya Motwane.

It stars Ranveer Singh as Varun, a young archaeologist who is in love with a landowner’s daughter Pakhi (Sonakshi Sinha).

Watch the trailer here.

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KajoPicks: 5 South Korean Variety Shows you must watch

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South Korean variety shows are like drugs, once you have a taste of them you can never get enough.

They are fun, entertaining and amusing to watch. Some of them are so funny that they can leave you rolling on the floor laughing while there are some that come with tearjerker moments.

With so many choices out there, we narrowed them down to 5 South Korean variety shows you must watch:

Korean Variety Show SBS
South Korean variety show, Running Man. Credits: SBS.
1. Running Man

Running Man is perhaps the number one variety show in South Korea right now after Infinite Challenge ended on Mar 31 this year.

The show is about members taking part in a series of missions to become the winner at the end of the race.

For the past eight years, the show welcomed numerous notable guests including action star Jackie Chan, French soccer player Patrice Evra, and more recently Hollywood actors Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill and Simon Pegg.

2. Knowing Brothers (Ask Us Anything)

In the Korean entertainment industry, the hierarchy of sunbae-hoobae (senior-junior) is very strict.

However, this show throws strict seniority rules out of the window where the casts and guests are allowed to speak banmal (informal language) with each other regardless of age.

Unlike most Korean variety shows, Knowing Brothers joke about what most consider as sensitive topics in the industry such as smoking, divorce and bankruptcy.

3. 2 Days 1 Night

The motto of this show is “Real Wild Road Variety”, where it recommends various places of interests in South Korea viewers can visit.

The cast has been changed numerous times since its first inception in 2007 but their chemistry still manages to bring laughter for the viewers.

The latest line-up for 2 Days 1 Night are Kim Jong-min, Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Joon-ho, Defconn, Jung Joon-young and Yoon Shi-yoon.

4. Master in the House

Just like 2 Days 1 Night, the cast will spend two days and one night with ‘Masters’ of various fields.

While looking for this Master, they will play a series of games to decide who sleep in the Master’s bedroom.

The show stars Korean variety show veterans and singer Lee Seung-gi, Lee Sang-yoon, Yang Se-hyung and Yook Sung-jae.

5.Law of the Jungle

Law of the Jungle is a much less annoying version of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!

Every episode features celebrities sent to survive in remote locations around the world.

In each location, they have to hunt, prepare meals and make shelter for the group.

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KajoPicks: 10 Japanese horror anime you must watch

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There is something about Japanese horror stories that make them one of the scariest, most eerie tales in the South East Asian region.

Even if it is an anime, not a live-action story, the Japanese horror genre still manages to transcend cultural borders and language barriers to give its audience a good scare.

Here KajoMag’s top 10 Japanese horror anime you must watch:

1.Another

This anime is based on Japanese horror novel by Yukito Ayatsuji which was published in 2009.

The plot is about a boy named Kouichi Sakakibara who transfers to Yomiyama North Middle School. There, he finds himself fascinated with a girl name Mei Misaki who is being ignored by the whole class.

What makes this anime iconic among fans is not just how killing the suspense is but its legendary death-by-umbrella scene.

SPOILER ALERT
One of the characters, Yukari, accidentally trips and tumbles down the school stairs while carrying an umbrella.
As her umbrella drops, it pops open as she falls face first towards the umbrella’s sharp end and is gruesomely skewered through the neck.

Nobody will look at an umbrella the same again after watching this anime.

2.Death Parade

Do you know where you go after you die? How about a bar?

In the universe of this Japanese horror anime, humans either head to the eternal void or are reincarnated after death.
However if there are any doubts, the souls arrive at the Quindecim bar instead without any memories of having died. There, Decim the bartender will challenge them to a Death Game.

It is not as horrifying as the other anime on this list but each episode has a different twisted, distorted storyline.

3.Hell Girl

This anime is so iconic that its soundtracks are widely used as a horror theme song in various shows including South Korean variety show like Running Man.

Ai Enma, the main character offers an interesting service. Basically, she is the chauffeur for highway to hell. She carries out grudges on behalf of the clients by sending the person the clients hate to hell.

Putting aside her scary job, Ai is full of wisdom as she comes with smartest quotes throughout this anime like“When one person is cursed, two graves are dug” and “The real hell is inside the person.”

Hermost memorable quote is what she says every time she sends somebody to hell.

“O pitiful shadow bound in darkness,
Looking down upon people, and causing them pain.
A soul drowned in sinful karma,
Want to try dying this once?”

4.Blood+

Blood+ is a dark and sad but full of action. The story focuses on Saya Otonashi who seems to be just an ordinary girl living with her adoptive family.

One night, she is attacked by a mysterious creature called Chiropteran. One thing leads to another and Saya realises she has a special power to defeat these creatures.

5.Ghost Hunt

Ghost Hunt is one of those Japanese horror anime that I wouldn’t recommend to watch at night. Watch it during the day when everything is lit and you won’t be looking over your shoulder.

It is based on a light novel series written by Fuyumi Ono. The story follows the adventures of Shibuya Psychic Research as they investigate mysterious events all over Japan.

Some of these ‘ghostly’ occurrences have horrifying, scary background stories while there are some which are sad and heartbreaking.

ghost hunt anime
Ghost Hunt’s official poster.
6.Ousama Game

Also known as King’s Game The Animation, this is a twisted horror story based in a Japanese high school. A class of 32 people receive a message on their phones from a person only known as the “King.”

The message has orders that the students must obey or they die.

It has a sick, contorted storyline which plays on humans’ instinct to survive.

7.Corpse Party: Tortured Soul

This four-episode anime is a sequel to the Corpse Party: Missing Footage OVA (original video animation).

The story starts with a group of students gathered at their high school at night to say goodbye to a friend. They perform a ritual to make sure they are friends forever using doll-like charms.

The ritual leads them to being stuck in another dimension with scary ghosts from the past.

8.Yami Shibai: Japanese Ghost Stories

If a masked stranger showed up in a playground to tell ghost stories, would you let your children listen to him?

Every week at 5pm, an old man in a yellow mask shows up at a children’s playground and tells ghost stories based on Japanese myths and urban legends.

It is inspired by kamishibai, a form of Japanese street theatre and storytelling that was popular during the Depression of the 1930s.

9.Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror

This Japanese horror anime has three parts: Yotsuya Kaidan, Tenshu Monogatari and Bake Neko.

Yotsuya Kaidan is perhaps the most famous Japanese ghost story about a husband who betrays his wife to marry a rich man’s daughter. The wife’s spirit comes back from the dead to curse those who involved with her death.

Tenshu Monogatari is the story of forbidden love between a god and a human while Bake Neko is about a man who is a medicine seller and hunts mononoke (demons).

10.Tokyo Ghoul

Based on best-selling horror manga by Sui Ishida, the plot follows Ken Kaneki who is living a secret life as a half-ghoul, half-human.

The ghouls in this universe are vicious creatures who can blend in with humans so that they can prey on them as food.

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PHOTOS: Music and more during the Rainforest World Music Festival

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This year, the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) made its 21st appearance at the Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching Malaysia.

A one-of-a-kind festival, RWMF succeeded in bringing world musicians from different part of the globe to rock at the foot of Mount Santubong.

On top of the world-class music, there are plenty of activities to participate from the afternoon mini sessions to its craft bazaar.

The Rainforest World Music Festival will be coming back in 2019 from July 12 till 14. Meanwhile, here are some photos taken on the second day of RWMF 2018.

Rainforest World Music Festival 2018 2
A batik crafter showing his skills at the Rainforest World Craft Bazaar.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2018
Some of the batik works displayed at the Malay House.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2018 4
Danison Manium (centre) launched his first sape album on the second day of Rainforest World Music Festival 2018. Also present during the launching were Sarawak Cultural Village’s composer and music arranger Narawi Rashidi (left) and sape maestro Jerry Kamit (second right).
Rainforest World Music Festival 2018 5
A display of pretty accessories from local entrepreneur Candy Gems Chic.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2018 6
Festival goers hanging out at Damai Central.
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Two instructors from Level Up Fitness showing how to get down at Dewan Lagenda.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2018 8
Festival goers participated in RWMF Wellness and Lifestyle activity.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2018 9
U.S. Air Force Band of Pacific Asia performing in front of Orang Ulu Longhouse.
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A girl drummer from 24 DRUMS SMK Arang Road, Kuching.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2018 14
Slobodan Trkulja (left) and Raghu Dixit (right) belting it out on the second night of RWMF 2018. According to Dixit’s Instagram, he decided to have Trkulja from Balkanopolis (Serbia) joining him on stage only an hour before the performance. The result was one of the best vocal performances RWMF had seen in years.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2018 15
The Raghu Dixit’s bassist rocking it on stage.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2018 16
Oyme, an ethno band from The Republic Mordovia, Russia.
Rainforest World Music Festival 2018 18
Ezra Tekola from At Adau.

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10 types of festival goers at the Rainforest World Music Festival

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Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) is like any other music festival where people from all ages and countries come together in the name of music.

Organised annually at Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching, Malaysia, the three-day event features performances from traditional music to contemporary world music.

As interesting as the performers are with their exotic outfits and sounds, the most interesting people at RWMF are actually the festival goers.

Festival goers of Rainforest World Music Festival 6
Sometimes, the festival goers are more interesting than the performers themselves during a music festival.

Not to generalise people but here are 10 types of festival goers you tend to see at the Rainforest World Music Festival:

1.The Learner

Rainforest World Music Festival is not just about the music and dancing but it is also about learning different cultures.

How to spot The Learner? They are the ones who raise their hands and ask questions during the cultural talks.

Or sometimes you can see them at the Rainforest World Music Festival Craft Bazaar engaging with vendors and asking questions.

Sometimes, they are your typical university students who major in music or anthropology. Sometimes, they are the intellectual types who take the opportunity during the festival to learn more about other cultures.

You can also spot them looking diligently at the festival guide or sitting in the front row of the sape lesson session.

2.The Live Feeder
Festival goers of Rainforest World Music Festival
Can you spot The Live Feeder?

These are the easiest to spot at the festival. They are the ones who have their smartphones raised during workshops, drum circles, and night performances for long periods of time, even just to take just a photo.

Or you can see traces of their live-feeding on their social media accounts even after the festival has ended.

3.The Selfie-obsessed

This kind of festival goer has a superpower ability. They can smell selfie opportunities unlike most normal people.

They know, for instance, which part of Sarawak Cultural Village gives the best photo ops, who to take wefies with and most importantly, which angle to take it form. Like I said, it’s a superpower.

4.The Spectator

Every music festival needs to have The Spectator. They are the ones who peek through the windows of the Iban Longhouse to watch a dance interactive session but never join in.

They watch the night performances from afar… such as the balcony of Dewan Lagenda or sitting at the back on their picnic mats.

Whatever it is, they are just there to spectate and enjoy the music.

Festival goers of Rainforest World Music Festival 3
We came for the music!
5.The Solo Traveller

These are the lone rangers of the festival. They eat alone, participate in the mini sessions alone and they dance alone during the night performances.

Despite being alone, The Solo Travellers are the ones who look like they are enjoying not just the festival but also life overall the most.

6.The Party Animal

The Party Animal type dances the hardest, screams the loudest and drinks the most.

In times past when the ground in front of the stage could become a mud pit during a rainshower, they would be the ones dancing in the rain with mud on their feet and all over their bodies.

Festival goers of Rainforest World Music Festival 7
Every music festival needs the Party Animals.
7.The Hobbyist
Festival goers of Rainforest World Music Festival 2
I am here to do my own thing!

You have seen this type of festival goer, not just during the Rainforest World Music Festival but every music festival.

While the performers are giving their all onstage or in the mini sessions, they pick a spot and do their own thing.

Be it a yoga move or throwing a hoop or swinging a pair of poi, Rainforest World Music Festival has seen them all.

Your Practical Guides to Rainforest World Music Festival 6
“I come to share my hobby!”
8.The Herd

This type of festival goer moves in flocks. They usually have one tribe leader who decides which mini sessions to go or where to eat, one ideal follower who has no idea what is going on but happy to follow and the rebel who tends to break away from the group.

Plus if the herd is alcohol-inclined, they have a sommelier or beer connoisseur who keeps the alcohol level in everybody’s system in order.

Sometimes they have a babysitter who has a mother-like role in the group to make sure the herd is safe and sticks together.

They are commonly groups of university students and young working adults who take Rainforest World Music Festival as a short escape from reality.

9.The “I-have-no-idea-what-is-going-on-but-I-am-here-to-dance”

Some people would call this type of festival goer a dancer…only if you consider their moves as ‘dancing’.

The difference between The Party Animal and The“I-have-no-idea-what-is-going-on-but-I-am-here-to-dance” is that the latter tends to ignore what is going on because they just want to dance.

A band could be delivering a touching performance like At Adau’s Jackson Lian Ngau who dedicated a song to his late mum (in RWMF 2017) or Raghu Dixit from India and Slobodan Trjulja from Serbia giving a once in a lifetime hair-raising duet (in RWMF 2018).

These are the ones who would dance in the middle of a themed music demonstration or a drum circle during the festival irrespective of what is happening around them.

Festival goers of Rainforest World Music Festival 4
Raghu Dixit from India (right) and Slobodan Trjulja from Serbia performing a duet song on July 14 during the Rainforest World Music Festival.
10.The ones who were not there for the world music but created their own world

These are the festival goers who were there at the RWMF but not exactly “there” at the festival.

They could be young couples who find their corners and just enjoy these time-defining moments with each other. Or even groups of friends who form their circles at Dewan Lagenda to drink together as the music plays in the background and sets the mood and atmosphere.

Festival goers of Rainforest World Music Festival 5
Festival goers who created their own world at Dewan Lagenda during the Rainforest World Music Festival.

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The differences and sameness of RWMF’s mini sessions

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RWMF mini sessions
Slobodan Trkulja from Serbia teaching the crowd about the kolo dance.

Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) internationally known for its melting pot of different cultures and music was held for the 21st time recently from July 13 till 15.

While the audience reached its peak number on Saturday night, those who had attended the whole three-day festival would agree the real fun and magic happens during the afternoon sessions.

Now rebranded as ‘mini sessions’, the activities still carried the essence of RWMF workshops.

It had everything from interactive learning about world music instruments to impromptu jamming among the musicians.

RWMF 2018 Mini Sessions

RWMF mini sessions 9
Rainforest World Music Festival would not be complete without the dance interactive workshop.

This year, RWMF saw an increase from the usual 27 to 50 sessions and even spread out from its official venue of Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) to nearby Damai Central.

Since its first installment in 1997, the afternoon sessions have seen a number of improvements and changes over the years.

One of its usual sites for the afternoon workshops, the Malay house had been completely dedicated to children sessions; a thoughtful move since the Malay house can only cater to a small crowd and it has usually been packed and hot during the afternoon workshops in previous years.

RWMF mini sessions 7
Festival goers participating the traditional hoop dance of the Lakota (a Native American tribe) workshop.

Speaking of changes, the drum circle session by 1Drum.org saw a change of scenery from its usual spot in front of the jungle stage.

For the first two days of RWMF, the circle took place at the Big Tent Damai Central before it was moved back on the final day to where it has usually been held since 2014 .

RWMF mini sessions 5
The first two days of RWMF saw the drum circle by 1drum.org flocking the Big Tent at Damai Central.

However, the mini sessions still carried on its crowd favourite activities especially the themed music demonstrations and dance workshops.

For example of themed music demonstrations was the “Rhythm’s Gonna Get You”, a workshop featuring an array of different percussion.

This year’s percussion demonstration was conducted on Saturday showcasing a bedok (a Bidayuh drum from Sarawak), darbuka, conga and even a human percussion, a beatboxer.

Other themes music demonstrations were wind instruments, plucked stringed instruments and lutes from two continents Africa and Asia.

During these demonstrations, each musician had a chance to introduce their instrument before all of them coming together to produce an impromptu performance.

RWMF mini sessions 6
A percussion-themed demonstration organised on Saturday (July 14) at the Dewan Lagenda.

Another crowd favourite every year and usually packed with participants is the dance interactive workshop.

Every year, SCV’s Dewan Lagenda and Iban Longhouse had played host to many dances from all over the world.

This year, these locations had witnessed cumbia (folkloric dance from Colombia), traditional hoop dance of the Lakota (a Native American tribe), kolo (a Serbian circle dance) and among others.

After 21 years in business, RWMF overall had its tweaks here and there yearly and some tweaks stay while others don’t.

Evidently the organiser, Sarawak Tourism Board gave the best to cater to all types of festival goers every year including those families with small children and fitness enthusiasts.

Apart from the mini sessions, there were also programmes for wellness and lifestyle such as yoga, zumba and belly dance as well as children sessions which were started a couple years ago.

RWMF mini sessions 8
Each location now has its lineup activities displayed.

More photos:

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KajoPicks: 5 popular Indonesian romantic movies of the 2000s

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The early part of the 21st century was good for Indonesian movie industry.

This was when Indonesian movies started to penetrate and make waves in its neighbouring countries including Malaysia.

Indonesian horror movies such as Kuntilanak (2006) and Hantu Jeruk Purut (2006) were considered on par with Thai horror movies.

Besides its horror flicks, Indonesian romantic movies of the 2000s were also popular when they were released.

Even for those of us in Malaysia who might have never watched their movies, we would have at least heard their original soundtracks blasting through the radio.

So these are the top five Indonesian romantic movies of the 2000s that will make you feel nostalgic:

1.Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (2002)

Before American author wrote her book Slammed (2012) about a teenage couple connected by their passion for poetry, the Indonesians produced a movie based on a similar idea.

Cinta (played by Dian Sastrowardoyo) is the popular, beautiful school poet. Rangga (Nicholas Saputra) is the introvert, a nobody in school.

Their love story starts when Rangga’s poem was submitted to the school’s poetry contest and subsequently won, beating even Cinta’s work.

The movie was released in Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Singapore. In Japan, it was known as Beautiful Days.

Perhaps what catapulted Ada Apa Dengan Cinta to fame was its controversy for being the first Indonesian teen movie featuring a passionate kisssing scene.

But for those who have watched it, they will agree that Cinta and Rangga’s poems hit the nail right on the head making the movie worth the buzz.

Watch the trailer here. 

2. Eiffel, I’m in Love (2003)

Following the success of Ada Apa Dengan Cinta, teen romantic films started being trendy.

Eiffel, I’m in Love (2003) was the film adaptation of the best selling book of the same name by Rachmania Arunita.

The story plot follows Tita (played by Shandy Aulia) living a perfect life until her parents plan to matchmake her with Adit (Samuel Rizal).

The movie made USD6.4 million in box office and won Most Favourite Movie award at the 2004 MTV Indonesia Movie Awards.

Watch the trailer here. 

3.Heart (2006)

Heart (2006) is the story of childhood friends Rachel (Nirina Zubir) and Farel (Irwansyah). Rachel is a tomboy whom most guys feel comfortable with while Farel is the typical most handsome guy in school.

Farel falls in love with Luna (Acha Septriasa), the pretty, gentle girl that you love to hate (but you can’t).

Rachel then realises she is also in love with her best friend Farel and there you have it – a movie about friendship and a love triangle.

The movie’s soundtrack featuring Irwansyah and Acha in “My Heart” was the national anthem for dating couples when it first came out.

The song even won the Best Song at the MTV Indonesia Movie Awards in 2006.

Watch the trailer here.

4.Ayat-ayat Cinta (2008)

Like most Indonesian romantic movies, what is famous other than the film itself is the soundtrack.

This movie’s title tracks such as “Ayat-ayat Cinta” by Rossa and “Tercipta Untukku” by Ungu featuring Rossa were commercial successes.

As for the story, it is about a man pursuing his love in the Islamic way.

Ayat-ayat Cinta (2008) was the first Indonesian film to reach 3.5 million tickets sold.

Watch the trailer here.

5.Ketika Cinta Bertasbih (2009)

This is another movie breaking the 3 million tickets in sales, Ketika Cinta Bertasbih.

It is based on the best selling novel with the same title by Habiburrahman El Shirazy.

The movie has a similar theme with Ayat-ayat Cinta which is about Khairul Azzam (Kholidi Asadil Alam) looking for his love while being faithful to his Islamic faith.

Watch the trailer here.

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5 Sarawakian true stories that should be made into films

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Filmmakers out there! If you are running out of ideas to make a movie, here are five Sarawakian true stories that deserve their spots on the big screen!

1.The tragedy of Tanjung Jerijeh

This is a Sarawakian true story similar to James Cameron’s Titanic (1997).

On Dec 27, 1973 at around 2am, a ferry from Kuching heading to Sarikei met with tragedy at Tanjung Jerijeh.

The ferry MV Pulau Kidjang capsized at the mouth of Tanjung Jerijeh about 3.5 nautical miles from Sarikei town.

Widely considered one of the worst tragedies in Sarawak maritime history, the incident took the lives of 121 people, mostly women and children.

Reportedly only 41 bodies were found while the rest are still missing to this day.

2.Circular No. 9

How far would you go to defend your political beliefs? Would you be willing to quit your job for it?

The story starts with the anti-cession movement led by Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah and Datu Patinggi Haji Mohammad Kassim.

The anti-cessionists were fighting against Sarawak being given over to Great Britain to be ruled as a crown colony, pushing for the Brookes to rule as a protectorate instead.

When Charles Vyner Brooke ceded Sarawak to Britain as a crown colony on Feb 8, 1946, it was in violation of a provision in Sarawak’s 1941 constitution, which stipulated that he would grant Sarawak the right to self-rule.

There were demonstrations all over the country of Sarawak,  most of them held by civil servants.

In response, the Governor of Sarawak issued Circular No. 9 warning civil servants that it was illegal to participate in political movements.

In protest, 338 civil servants – mostly made up of teachers – resigned on Apr 2, 1947.

These resignations caused the closure of more than 22 schools in Sarawak.

This Sarawakian true story is a tale of courage and patriotism, something that the current generation needs to be reminded of nowadays.

3.Raid on Limbang
Limbang
A boat cruising through Limbang river.

If West Malaysians have their Bukit Kepong incident, here in Sarawak we have the raid on Limbang.

When the idea of the Malaysian federation came out in the late 1950s, many disagreed, including a left-leaning Brunei politician-turned-rebel widely known as A.M. Azahari.

He led the group Brunei People’s Party and the North Kalimantan National Army (TNKU) with ideas for Brunei, North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak to form one country.

On Dec 8, 1962, TNKU militants led by Limbang native Salleh Sambas started their attacks on Limbang.

Their assault started at the local police station where they captured several rifles and machine guns.

The raid took the lives of four Sarawakian policemen. They were Corporal Kim Huat from Kuap, PC Wan Jamaluddin Tuanku Alek, PC Insoll Chundang from Saribas and PC Bujang Mohammed from Kuching.

A movie based on this true story would make a good reminder of how courageous our policemen were, even back then.

4.Tra Zehnder

A film based on the true story of Sergeant Kanang anak Langkau came out in 2017.

Kanang was an Iban warrior and one of Malaysia’s most decorated war heroes who fought bravely during the communist insurgency.

So how about a film on Sarawak women figures? Dato Sri Tra Zehnder was a female pioneer in Sarawak politics.

She held the record for being the first lady member of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), the first woman to head the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak and she even represented the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) at the Cobbold Commission meeting.

Furthermore if it weren’t for her, we would not be celebrating Gawai Dayak on June 1 today.

Tra was the one who championed the idea to have Gawai Dayak recognised as an official state holiday.

5.Sarawakian SWAT

For most people, SWAT means Special Weapons and Tactics, a paramilitary unit of law-enforcement agency.

Here in Sarawak, the acronym carries a different meaning.

With Sarawak being home to the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), the largest riparian predator in the world, SWAT refers to Sarawak Forestry Corporation’s Swift Wildlife Action Team.

They are the unsung heroes solving human-crocodile conflict in the state.

This special unit was set up in 2013 and was put in charge of crocodile culling and removal all over Sarawak.

A movie inspired by Sarawakian SWAT could look like Black Water (2007), Rogue (2007) and Lake Placid (1999) only with more focus on the work of these brave SWAT officers.

Sarawak’s most famous saltwater crocodile, Bujang Senang or its descendants, can play the villains in the movie.

Batu Nabau Engkilili 3
How about a movie on crocodiles in Sarawak?

Do you have any ideas on what Sarawakian true stories that should be made into films? Let us know in the comment box.

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5 Malaysian movies inspired by true stories worth watching

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Movie makers immortalise people or events through their films.

Although their art cannot imitate life perfectly, some still manage to carry  its essence and convey the message they wanted to.

Here in Malaysia, the movie industry still has lots of room for improvement.

But there are a few local filmmakers daring enough to create movies inspired by true stories.
And here are the ones that are worth your time watching.

1.The Big Durian (2003)

This movie broke records by being the first and only Malaysian film to screen at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

The Big Durian’s director Amir Muhammad combined documentary and fiction to bring an event which occurred in October 1987 to the big screen.

On that day, a soldier named Adam Jaafar ran amok, shooting off an M16 rifle in the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

The shooting spree left one person dead when a bullet ricocheted and killed Che Soh Che Mahmud, while several others were wounded.

Apart from Sundance, The Big Durian was also screened at the Singapore International Film Festival, the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Vancouver International Film Festival.

2.Ola Bola (2016)
5 Malaysian movies inspired by true stories worth watching
Ola Bola.

Ola Bola was inspired by the true story of Malaysia’s football team scoring a place at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Russia.

The film was directed by Chiu Keng Guan and produced by Malaysian film powerhouse Astro Shaw.

Despite its commercial success, the film was disqualified from the 28th Malaysia Film Festival Best Film category because it contained less than 70% Malay language dialogue.

Following this controversy, all non-Malay categories were removed and made eligible to compete for Best Film.

3.Adiwiraku (2017)

When a group of schoolchildren in rural Peninsular Malaysia beat 20 elite schools in an English choral speaking competition, the story was destined to go viral on the internet.

For the students of SMK Pinang Tunggal in Baling, Kedah, participating in an English-speaking competition would have been impossible if it weren’t for their volunteer English teacher Cheryl Ann Fernando from Teach for Malaysia.

Against all odds and even to the team’s own surprise, they came out fifth place beating 20 other schools at the district level competition.

Inspired by this touching story, film director Eric Ong knew he had to make a movie of it.

Ong and his team’s work paid off when Adiwiraku bagged the Best Film Award at the 29th Malaysia Film Festival.

Watch the trailer here.

4.Dukun (2018)
dukun
Dukun’s film poster.

Originally slated for a 2007 release, all the red tape surrounding Dukun was finally cut and it premiered in 2018.

Until today, no official statements have been given on why the movie was postponed but most suspect it was due to the film being inspired by the real-life murder of Malaysian politician Mazlan Idris.

An ambitious politician, Mazlan’s murder in the 1990s gathered so much public attention not only because he was a public figure but because of the brutal (and supernatural) nature of the killing and the fact that a Malaysian female pop singer happened to be one of the prime suspects.

After leaving her not-so-successful music career, Mona Fandey (whose real name was Maznah Ismail) made a profession change to black magic, becoming a bomoh or a local shaman.

In July 1993, Mona Fandey together with her husband Mohamad Nor Affandi Abdul Rahman and assistant Juraimi Hassan were reportedly performing a cleansing ritual on Mazlan.

During the ritual, the trio asked Mazlan to lie down, close his eyes and wait for money to fall from the sky. Instead of money, an axe came down on Mazlan, chopping his head off.

He was reported missing on 2 July 1993, but by then his bank accounts were cleaned out of RM300,000. Mona was soon after spotted on a shopping spree and driving a Mercedes Benz.

Her high-spending life was cut short after Juraimi made a statement to the police disclosing the location of Mazlan’s remains, which were buried near Mona’s house in Pahang. He was found in 18 pieces.

The trio were found guilty of Mazlan’s murder and were executed on November 2, 2001 at Kajang Prison.

Watch the trailer here.

5.Bukit Kepong (1981)

We cannot talk about Malaysian movies inspired by true stories without mentioning Bukit Kepong (1981).

The movie was based on an armed encounter which took place on Feb 23, 1950 between the Federation of Malaya Police and the gunmen of Malayan Communist Party during the Malayan Emergency.

The movie was directed by legendary Malaysian actor Jins Shamsuddin.

Over the years, it has become one of the must-feature films on national television channels especially during August, Malaysia’s National Month.

A special mention…

There is one upcoming Malaysian movie inspired by true events which might be worth the hype.

Director Adrian Teh (King of Mahjong, Hungry Ghost Ritual) is working on an action film highlighting the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Naval Special Warfare Forces, otherwise known as Pasukan Khas Laut or Paskal.

Scheduled for a 2019 release,  Paskal is said to be a biopic of Lieutenant Commander Arman Anwar who, in 2011, led a Paskal team to rescue the crew of MV Bunga Laurel which was hijacked by Somalian pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Filming locations include Kuala Lumpur, Lumut, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Semporna in Malaysia as well as Morocco.

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KajoPicks: 5 upcoming South Korean movies you can watch in Malaysian cinemas (June-December 2018)

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Over the years, Malaysian cinemas have featured more varieties of movies.

On top of the usual Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil movies, we have begun to see more choices such as Thai, Indonesian, Japanese anime and South Korean movies premiering on our big screens.

Thanks to the rise of Hallyu wave, Malaysians have shifted their interest to South Korean movies in recent years.

In 2016, Train to Busan became the Malaysian number one South Korean movie, racking up about RM4.8 mln on its opening weekend.

Earlier this year, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds opened at number one in Malaysian cinemas, winning against Chris Hemsworth’s 12 Strong and Matt Damon’s Downsizing.

Now, we have five upcoming South Korean movies we can look forward in selected cinemas till the end of 2018:

1. Champion (June 14)

This sports comedy film directed by Kim Yong Wan stars Ma Dong Seok, Kwon Yul and Han Ye Ri.

Mark (played by Ma) is a disgraced arm wrestler turned bouncer. Given up for adoption by his biological mother as a baby, Mark was raised in the US by an American family. The prospect of making money at an arm-wrestling competition in South Korea leads him back to his homeland where he searches for his biological mother but finds his biological siblings instead.

2. Believer (July 5)

In October 2017, the South Korean entertainment industry mourned the loss of one of its finest actors Kim Joo Hyuk.

Believer is Kim’s final film before his untimely death due to car accident.

It is a remake of Chinese-Hong Kong action thriller Drug War (2012).

3. The Accidental Detective: Returns (Jul 12)

This crime comedy film is a sequel to Kim Jung Hoon’s 2015 film The Accidental Detective.

It stars Kwon Swang Woo, Sung Dong Il and Running Man’s Lee Kwang Soo.

4. Along with the Gods: The Last 49 days (Sep 6)

This movie is based on webtoon Singwa Hamgge by Joo Ho Min.

It is the second installment after the first part, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017).

The plot circles around the story of fireman Kim Ja Hong (Cha Tae Hyun) and grim reaper Gang Rim (Ha Jung Wood).

5. Monstrum (Sept 27)

When it comes to South Korean movies, we rarely see a period genre taking a slot in our local cinemas.

This year we have Monstrum, a period thriller directed by Heo Jong Ho.

It is supposedly based on a real case in 1527 during King Jungjong’s reign when an unknown creature threatens the King’s life.

The movie stars Kim Myung Min, Lee Hye Ri, and Choi Woo Shik.

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