Latest news with #Nidji
The Star
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Ejen Ali 2: Hit movie scores big in Indonesia as versatile actor Azman Zulkiply continues to shine as voice actor
Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2), the highly anticipated sequel to Malaysia's hit animated feature, is enjoying a strong run in Indonesia, with its theatrical release now extended to 240 cinemas, more than triple the number when it premiered on June 27. In just five days, the film has attracted over 174,000 moviegoers of all ages, especially children, marking a significant milestone for the homegrown animation in a competitive entertainment market. WAU Animation chief executive officer and EATM2 director Usamah Zaid Yasin said the team had not expected such an overwhelming reception, particularly as Indonesia does not operate a 'mandatory screening' system like Malaysia. "We entered the market at the perfect time during the school holidays, backed by strong local partnerships, distributors and a communications agency that truly understands the Indonesian audience,' he told Bernama. Usamah attributed the film's early momentum to the loyal Ejen Ali digital fanbase in Indonesia, cultivated over the years through YouTube and social media, alongside strategic collaborations with Indonesian animation studios and a soundtrack feature with popular local band Nidji. He said these localisation efforts gave the film a familiar touch and a sense of ownership for Indonesian viewers, and he expects viewership to continue rising in the coming weeks. With momentum building, EATM2 is expected to debut in Cambodia, following recent successful runs in Singapore and Brunei, cementing its growing regional footprint. In another development, there is no doubt that Rizwan's character in Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2) is one of the characters that most captured the audience's attention, not only because of his solid fighting skills, but also because of his cool appearance and gruff voice. Behind this character stands the figure of a very experienced and versatile actor, Azman Zulkiply. Interestingly, Rizwan is not the only character voiced by Azman in EATM2. He also plays the roles of General Rama and Viktor, each representing three different racial backgrounds, namely Malay, Chinese, and Indian. Of course, it is not easy to bring a character to life with different speaking styles and accents, but Azman said he loved the experience. "This is my proudest achievement in my career. (EATM2) What a ride, the opportunity to play three characters was an amazing experience," said Azman in a special interview. "I have many friends. Malays, Chinese and Indians, they are amazing people. That is why this country is so great. It is my utmost honour that I could voice over for all three characters. "I thank the EATM 2 team for giving me this opportunity, it is something I will never forget," added Azman. Even more impressive is that Azman has been voicing these three characters for almost a decade, spanning more than half of his career in voice acting, and it also makes it easier for him to delve deeply into each character and give each one a unique touch. "Being involved here is one of the happiest moments of my career. I'm so glad EATM 2 is also doing so well in many countries besides Malaysia. The support is wonderful and I hope we keep on going for more," Said Azman. For the record, EATM 2 is produced by WAU Animation in collaboration with Primeworks Studios (PWS). The film, which follows the story of a 12-year-old boy who accidentally becomes a spy, has grossed nearly RM60 million to date, with more regional releases in the pipeline.
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Teman Sejati' finds a home in 'Ejen Ali'
IT didn't take long for Indonesian rock group Nidji to agree to sing 'Teman Sejati' for the soundtrack of the animated film, 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2'. Vocalist Yusuf Ubay, known as Ubay, said Nidji considered it an honour to be chosen by the production team for the collaboration "I have watched the 'Ejen Ali' series. So when the song 'Teman Sejati' was selected for the soundtrack of the animation film, we thought of it as luck and our 'rezeki'. "Plus, all of Nidji members are well acquainted with 'Ejen Ali' animation, which has an interesting storyline and should be watched by everyone." The band, which has been rocking fans since 2002, was in Kuala Lumpur last month for an exclusive interview as part of the promotion of the hit movie. Ubay said 'Teman Sejati', which has been included in Nidji's latest album 'Manifestasi Hati', was created about six years ago, but its release was held back until recently. It was originally penned in 2019, long before the band envisioned its future on the big screen. "Actually, the song was written in 2019. So when we were approached by the film production for the song to become an OST, we felt very honoured," said Nidji's guitarist, Andi Ariel Harsya, the composer and lyricist of the song. "When we recorded it, we never set a target for it to be chosen as an OST for any production, so this is beyond our expectations. It's really divine intervention. "Thank you to the film production team for trusting Nidji and giving the opportunity for 'Teman Sejati' to be one of the film's soundtracks. "For Nidji, this movie has a strong message and a deep impact on the audience. In fact, 'Teman Sejati' is also in line with the film's positive narrative, which tells a universal story of friendship. "This is a blessing from God who brought Nidji together with the film by chance and we (Nidji) ended up being a good match, too." This collaboration is also considered a milestone for the band as it is their first song to be linked to an animation production. Ubay said 'Teman Sejati' sounds more beautiful once used as the background music for some of the scenes in the movie. Andi Ariel said he did not expect the positive response received for the song. "Initially, I didn't expect that this song would be suitable for this movie. But thanks to the production crew and sound designer, it fits perfectly in the scenes where they had included this song." Even their fans and those who had watched the movie waxed lyrical about the song being a perfect fit for 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2'. "After watching the film recently, we were blown away, especially during the scenes that had the song in the background," Andi Ariel said. Apart from Ubay and Andi Ariel, the other Nidji bandmembers are guitarist Ramadhista Akbar, Randy Danistha (keyboard), Andro Regantoro (bass) and Adriana Prakarsa (drums).
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' scores big in Indonesia, screening in 240 cinemas
KUALA LUMPUR: Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2), the highly anticipated sequel to Malaysia's hit animated feature, is enjoying a strong run in Indonesia, with its theatrical release now extended to 240 cinemas, more than triple the number when it premiered on June 27. In just five days, the film has attracted over 174,000 moviegoers of all ages, especially children, marking a significant milestone for the homegrown animation in a competitive entertainment market. WAU Animation chief executive officer and EATM2 director Usamah Zaid Yasin said the team had not expected such an overwhelming reception, particularly as Indonesia does not operate a 'mandatory screening' system like Malaysia. "We entered the market at the perfect time during the school holidays, backed by strong local partnerships, distributors, and a communications agency that truly understands the Indonesian audience," he told Bernama. Usamah attributed the film's early momentum to the loyal Ejen Ali digital fanbase in Indonesia, cultivated over the years through YouTube and social media, alongside strategic collaborations with Indonesian animation studios and a soundtrack feature with popular local band Nidji. He said these localisation efforts gave the film a familiar touch and a sense of ownership for Indonesian viewers, and he expects viewership to continue rising in the coming weeks. With momentum building, EATM2 is expected to debut in Cambodia, following recent successful runs in Singapore and Brunei, cementing its growing regional footprint. Reflecting on the challenges of international expansion, Usamah said assembling the right collaborators was critical. "The first movie had a smaller scale and limited traction. This time, with stronger backing from Media Prima and our Indonesian partners, we saw a leap in visibility and cinema presence," he said. He added that dedicated media strategies and a better understanding of the local market helped drive engagement and ticket sales, hoping it would set a stronger foundation for Malaysian creative works to reach wider audiences abroad. Produced by WAU Animation in collaboration with Primeworks Studios (PWS), the film, which follows the story of a 12-year-old boy who accidentally becomes a spy, has grossed nearly RM60 million to date, with more regional releases in the pipeline.
Sinar Daily
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Ejen Ali 2 scores big in Indonesia, expands to 240 cinemas nationwide
In just five days, the film has attracted over 174,000 moviegoers of all ages, especially children, marking a significant milestone for the homegrown animation in a competitive entertainment market. 03 Jul 2025 09:21am Ejen Ali The Movie 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Malaysia's hit animated feature, is enjoying a strong run in Indonesia, with its theatrical release now extended to 240 cinemas, more than triple the number when it premiered on June 27. KUALA LUMPUR - Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2), the highly anticipated sequel to Malaysia's hit animated feature, is enjoying a strong run in Indonesia, with its theatrical release now extended to 240 cinemas, more than triple the number when it premiered on June 27. In just five days, the film has attracted over 174,000 moviegoers of all ages, especially children, marking a significant milestone for the homegrown animation in a competitive entertainment market. WAU Animation chief executive officer and EATM2 director Usamah Zaid Yasin said the team had not expected such an overwhelming reception, particularly as Indonesia does not operate a 'mandatory screening' system like Malaysia. "We entered the market at the perfect time during the school holidays, backed by strong local partnerships, distributors and a communications agency that truly understands the Indonesian audience," he told Bernama. Usamah attributed the film's early momentum to the loyal Ejen Ali digital fanbase in Indonesia, cultivated over the years through YouTube and social media, alongside strategic collaborations with Indonesian animation studios and a soundtrack feature with popular local band Nidji. He said these localisation efforts gave the film a familiar touch and a sense of ownership for Indonesian viewers, and he expects viewership to continue rising in the coming weeks. With momentum building, EATM2 is expected to debut in Cambodia, following recent successful runs in Singapore and Brunei, cementing its growing regional footprint. Reflecting on the challenges of international expansion, Usamah said assembling the right collaborators was critical. "The first movie had a smaller scale and limited traction. This time, with stronger backing from Media Prima and our Indonesian partners, we saw a leap in visibility and cinema presence," he said. He added that dedicated media strategies and a better understanding of the local market helped drive engagement and ticket sales, hoping it would set a stronger foundation for Malaysian creative works to reach wider audiences abroad. Produced by WAU Animation in collaboration with Primeworks Studios (PWS), the film which follows the story of a 12-year-old boy who accidentally becomes a spy, has grossed nearly RM60 million to date, with more regional releases in the pipeline. - BERNAMA
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Daily Express
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Gretchene bares heartbreak in soulful new single 'Aku Bodoh'
Published on: Monday, June 23, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 23, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Sabah-born singer Gretchene Quirina has released her latest single Aku Bodoh , a melancholic pop ballad about unreciprocated love, regret, and the quiet strength of letting go. The song traces the emotional arc of a young woman who once believed in the sincerity of love, only to realise that the affection she received was not genuine. Upon facing the painful truth, the protagonist chooses to walk away despite her emotional wounds, capturing the bittersweet process of release and renewal. Aku Bodoh resonates deeply with listeners who have been through heartbreak and betrayal, offering a voice to those quietly piecing their hearts back together. The emotionally charged lyrics and haunting melody reflect vulnerability and resilience, delivered with Gretchene's signature vocal style that blends power with fragility. The song was penned by lyricists Ryenald Guntabid, Melakaboy, and while the arrangement and musical production were handled by respected regional producer Irwan Simanjuntak. Advertisement The music video, directed by Elvin Romeo with assistance from Ivan Hiew and edited by Al Hanafi Juhar, presents intimate visual storytelling set in domestic spaces once filled with promise but now tinged with sorrow. Each scene visually conveys the emotional aftermath of broken trust, from bedrooms that once offered comfort to living rooms filled with echoes of forgotten promises. Adding star power to the music video is Indonesian TikTok influencer Juansen, who plays the male lead and brings over 7.5 million followers into Gretchene's expanding audience reach. The launch of Aku Bodoh was accompanied by a special performance during Malam Galau Kinabalu: Gretchene & Friends , held on June 14 here. She shared the stage with fellow Sabahan artists Elica Paujin and Ryenald, as well as Indonesian ballad singer Mytha Lestari. Gretchene is also set to perform at the Hologram Glenn Fredly Concert in Kuala Lumpur on 18 July and will open for the renowned Indonesian band Nidji during their concert here in October. Her latest release is now available on all major digital streaming platforms and is poised to attract listeners both in Malaysia and Indonesia. Known to her fans as Chene, Gretchene has been active in music since 2018, though her love for singing began long before her first official appearance. She brings a unique blend of Sabahan heritage and contemporary ballad-pop to the Malaysian music landscape, making her a distinctive voice in the industry. Among her achievements are winning the Sugandoi Inanam in 2018, Sugandoi DBKK in 2022, and Sugandoi Penampang in 2024, where she also placed third nationally. Balancing academic commitments with her artistic pursuits, Gretchene remains dedicated to her musical journey and to sharing stories through song. She is signed under XIOKK Entertainment, a Sabah-based label that operates as a subsidiary of XENO Entertainment and was launched in 2024. XIOKK aims to develop local talent without requiring artists to relocate to the peninsula, nurturing homegrown singers like Gretchene, Ryenald, and the girl group SMDX. Aside from music production, XIOKK also functions as a talent agency representing Sabah-based influencers such as Calby Floresa, Clerice Olvia, and Andrea Roulin. With Aku Bodoh , XIOKK continues to showcase its commitment to producing compelling local talent for regional and international audiences. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
