Latest news with #Mirugasirisham
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Malaysian Tamil Cinema quality rises thanks to young filmmakers
KUALA LUMPUR - Young film directors transitioning from digital platforms to the silver screen are now playing a key role in raising the quality of local Tamil cinema, said National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib. According to him, the new generation of creators has demonstrated the ability to deliver fresh, high-quality stories - an encouraging sign of positive development within the local film industry. "The film I watched recently, Mirugasirisham, showcases the kind of quality often seen in works by first-time filmmakers. These are people who started out creating content for social media and YouTube, and now they're making films - and the results are truly impressive,' he said when contacted by Bernama. Azmir Saifuddin also expressed his admiration for the film's strong storytelling, direction, and performances, noting that it was all the more impressive considering it was produced by newcomers to the industry. "I was also pleasantly surprised by the storytelling, direction, and acting from this newcomer. The quality is on par with Tamil films from India. "The problem is that this film hasn't been widely promoted. Many of our viewers still believe that watching local films in cinemas isn't worth it. But they should come out and support these screenings, because the quality of our local productions is now truly comparable,' he said. He also explained that FINAS remains open and inclusive in its support for local film development, regardless of language or genre. "We don't limit support based on language or genre. We regularly engage with the industry, including Tamil filmmakers, to understand current issues and trends,' he said. He added that the improvement in the quality and reception of local Tamil films is evident in the success of C4 Cinta, which recorded box office earnings of over RM2.5 million last year, more than double the earnings of previous local Tamil films. He also announced that the team behind the acclaimed film Jagat is set to release two new projects this year, one of which is a festival-style film that also promises high production quality. Meanwhile, Mirugasirisham producer and general manager of Five Star Trading, Dr Sai Suthan Krishnan, said that despite receiving glowing reviews from critics and audiences across various communities, local Tamil films have continued to record disappointing box office figures. "There are many young and emerging talents in Malaysia who are simply waiting for the right opportunity to showcase their filmmaking skills and tell stories that reflect our regional and cultural Malaysian roots. "We discovered a strong script by Vijay Ganesh and a talented young team at Sage Heroes. With a like-minded and passionate cast and crew, Mirugasirisham came to life after two years in production,' he said. Sai said the film has received excellent critical response, with viewers praising both its storytelling and technical execution. "Every Malaysian who has watched the film, whether Indian or from other communities, has given glowing reviews, particularly for its storytelling and technical aspects. It's an engaging and entertaining two and a half hours, well spent in the cinema appreciating the film's sound and visuals,' he said. "Producers and filmmakers rely on strong box office numbers to inspire confidence among potential investors. It encourages them to boldly support the next generation of passionate artists and filmmakers, helping to realise bigger dreams and create works of international quality,' he added. - BERNAMA
Free Malaysia Today
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Young filmmakers boosting quality of local Tamil movies, says Finas
A scene from the horror-comedy 'Mirugasirisham', which is being lauded for its impressive storytelling, direction and performances. (Five Star Trading pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Young film directors, especially those transitioning from digital platforms to the silver screen, are playing a key role in raising the quality of local Tamil cinema, the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) said recently. According to chief executive officer Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, the new generation of creators has demonstrated an ability to deliver fresh, high-quality stories – a positive development within the local film industry. 'One film I watched recently, 'Mirugasirisham', showcases the kind of quality not often seen in works by first-time filmmakers. These are people who started out creating content for social media and YouTube, and now they're making films – and the results are truly impressive,' he told Bernama. Azmir expressed his admiration for the film's strong storytelling, direction and performances, saying it was all the more noteworthy considering it was produced by newcomers to the industry. He lamented, however, the fact that the movie hadn't been widely promoted. 'Many viewers still believe that watching local films in cinemas isn't worth it. But they should come out and support these screenings, because the quality of our local productions is now truly comparable to Tamil films from India,' he said. He also noted that Finas remains open and inclusive in its support for local film development, regardless of language or genre. 'We don't limit our support; in fact, we regularly engage with the industry, including Tamil filmmakers, to understand current issues and trends,' he said. 'C 4 Cinta' recorded box-office earnings of over RM2.5 million last year, making it the highest-grossing local Tamil film to date. (S Karthik pic) Azmir highlighted that the improvement in the quality and reception of local Tamil films is evident in the success of 'C 4 Cinta', which recorded box-office earnings of over RM2.5 million last year, more than double the earnings of previous local Tamil films. Meanwhile, 'Mirugasirisham' producer Sai Suthan Krishnan said that, despite receiving glowing reviews from critics and audiences across various communities, local Tamil films generally continue to record disappointing box-office figures. 'There are many young and emerging talents in Malaysia who are waiting for the right opportunity to showcase their filmmaking skills and tell stories that reflect our regional and cultural roots. 'Every Malaysian who has watched 'Mirugasirisham', whether Indian or from other communities, has given glowing reviews, particularly for its story and technical aspects. 'It's an engaging and entertaining 2.5 hours well spent in the cinema, appreciating the film's sound and visuals,' he said. He stressed that ultimately, producers and filmmakers rely on strong box-office numbers to inspire confidence among potential investors. 'It encourages them to boldly support the next generation of passionate artistes and filmmakers, helping to realise bigger dreams and create works of international quality,' he concluded.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Young filmmakers elevate local Tamil cinema quality, says FINAS
KUALA LUMPUR: Young filmmakers shifting from digital platforms to cinema are significantly improving the quality of local Tamil films, according to the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS). Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, FINAS chief executive officer, noted that these emerging talents bring fresh, high-quality storytelling to the industry. 'The film I watched recently, Mirugasirisham, showcases the kind of quality often seen in works by first-time filmmakers. These are people who started out creating content for social media and YouTube, and now they're making films - and the results are truly impressive,' he told Bernama. Azmir praised the film's strong narrative, direction, and performances, comparing its quality to Tamil films from India. However, he pointed out that limited promotion has hindered its reach. 'Many of our viewers still believe that watching local films in cinemas isn't worth it. But they should come out and support these screenings, because the quality of our local productions is now truly comparable,' he said. FINAS remains committed to supporting all local filmmakers, regardless of language or genre. Azmir cited the success of C4 Cinta, which earned over RM2.5 million last year, as proof of growing audience acceptance. Meanwhile, Mirugasirisham producer Dr Sai Suthan Krishnan acknowledged the film's critical acclaim but lamented its underwhelming box office performance. 'Every Malaysian who has watched the film, whether Indian or from other communities, has given glowing reviews, particularly for its storytelling and technical aspects,' he said. Sai stressed the need for stronger box office numbers to attract investors and sustain the industry's growth.
Free Malaysia Today
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysian-made ‘Mirugasirisham' will have you screaming
The trio at the centre of 'Mirugasirisham' find themselves caught up in a series of terrifying paranormal encounters. (Five Star Trading pic) PETALING JAYA : Malaysian films are levelling up fast – and a new Tamil horror-comedy that hit cinemas on Thursday serves as a solid example of that. 'Mirugasirisham' is written and directed by Vijay Ganesh, the familiar face behind Sage Heroes, the online team known for their popular comedic skits. This is their first full-length feature, and it's also noteworthy in that it's the first local Tamil film to be released with Dolby Atmos. The story revolves around a trio who get caught up in a series of terrifying paranormal events. Odd noises turn into full-blown supernatural attacks, prompting them to seek help from a tok guru, which in turn sparks a wild ride filled with twists, laughs, and some real scares. Indeed, the movie starts on a spooky note: a man's motorbike breaks down in the middle of the night in an estate, and the poor guy meets a violent end at the hands of a mysterious presence. From there, we're flung into the present, where we meet the central characters. Senthil (Jegan Shanmugam) is the kind of naive (read: clueless) IT guy who sleeps soundly while his wife is nearly killed in the next room, or casually leaves the car for a bathroom break even though a ghost is on the loose. His earnest stupidity is oddly charming. His wife Sridevi (Nirmala Tharmarajan) is sharp-tongued with a healthy fear of the paranormal. Her dynamic with Senthil – and later with the tok guru to whom she clings for protection – is comedy gold. Director Vijay Ganesh takes on the lead role of Guruji, who is joined by his intern Soo Koon, played by Kumari. (Five Star Trading pic) Siva (Joshua Shashi Kumar), Sridevi's brother, is a flamboyant head chef with framed photos of Chef Wan and Gordon Ramsay to prove his culinary credentials. He pretends not to be scared – but we all know better. His banter with junior chefs and reactions to the ghostly goings-on are laugh-out-loud funny. The spooky elements start subtly: scratching sounds, loud footstep, eerie chalkboard writing with the phrase 'Looking for me?' Then it quickly escalates, with floating chainsaws and bookshelves unexpectedly toppling over. Viewers in the cinema literally screamed during some of these moments! The trio soon seeks help from Guruji (played by the director himself, Vijay), a spiritual healer and paranormal investigator who is accompanied by his intern, Soo Koon (Kumari). The two make quite the entertaining pair. Happily, Guruji isn't your over-the-top, all-knowing hero – though he's equipped with cool gadgets like heat-sensing goggles, which makes him feel like a modern spiritual detective. 'Mirugasirisham' does depend on some tried-and-tested horror clichés, but what sets it apart is the humour it injects into these moments. One particularly hilarious scene involves Senthil barging into an occupied bathroom stall, thinking he's talking to a colleague – only to find out otherwise. No further spoilers here! Then there's the talking cat: Guruji has a full-on chat with a black feline who's been trying to warn Sridevi. It's so unexpected, it's brilliant. The entity's origins trace back to the eerie estate, scenes of which are executed remarkably well. (Five Star Trading pic) The horror-to-humour transitions are never jarring; in fact, the film arguably handles this even better than the popular 'Aranmanai' franchise. Add to that a mysterious book found by Siva that eerily mirrors current events, and you've got yourself a layered plot that keeps things interesting. As with most Tamil horror stories, there's a backstory to the haunting. Here, it's a tragic one. Without giving too much away, four actors take on double roles, appearing in both past and present timelines. The payoff is emotionally satisfying and showcases the cast's range. Komalaa Naidu also delivers a memorable performance in the flashback sequence, which stands out as one of the strongest parts of the movie – and wisely, none of it is spoiled in the trailer. Technically, the film holds up well. The cinematography, editing and stunt sequences – especially the chase scenes through plantations – are well-executed. But it's the sound design that steals the show: Dolby Atmos is put to good use here, heightening tension and creating full-bodied immersion. Shane Xtreme's music adds an emotional layer, with a sweet romantic melody in the mix. All in all, this isn't Oscar bait or genre-defining. But in an era where even big-budget names can let you down, 'Mirugasirisham' is a solid entertainer. As of press time, 'Mirugasirisham' is screening in selected cinemas nationwide.
