THE KERIS “Reviving the Legacy of the Hikayat Hang Tuah and the Spirit of the Malay Warriors”

 

 

The local film industry is set to welcome a new cinematic work that combines elements of heritage, action, and drama through The Keris, a film that highlights historical values, cultural identity, and the struggle to overcome challenges that test faith and courage.

 

Its producer, Dr. Matheyalagan, said the idea for The Keris emerged after he realized that younger generations are becoming less familiar with historical figures such as Hang Tuah and his companions.

“I found that historical stories such as the Hikayat Hang Tuah, which was once very well known, are gradually being forgotten. It can be said that some young people today no longer recognize Hang Tuah and his companions. This inspired me to produce The Keris in order to revive our historical heritage and the traditional martial arts that should be passed on to future generations,” he said.

 

The Keris tells the story of a foreign mafia member who seeks to obtain the Keris Tempa Melaka, said to have belonged to Hang Tuah and believed to possess extraordinary powers. The keris is secretly safeguarded by a certain individual. According to Dr. Matheyalagan, the latest film directed by Viknes Perrabu stands out because it combines two different timelines: the modern era and the time of Hang Tuah.

 

He added that the film, produced under his own company, Mathe’s Production House Sdn. Bhd., also features traditional silat combat, modern martial arts, and various thrilling stunt sequences.

 

THE CAST OF FILM THE KERIS

 

Although he is of Indian ethnicity, Dr. Matheyalagan said this was never an obstacle, as he sees producing a film centered on Malay culture as both a responsibility and a tribute to the nation’s heritage. He explained that growing up and interacting closely with the Malay community from a young age nurtured his love for Malay culture and values.

“I grew up alongside Malay friends. In fact, I often ate, drank, and lived with them in the village. As a Malaysian, I am proud to produce a work that celebrates Malay culture and the historical spirit of Malay warriors,” he said, adding that the film was financed entirely with his own funds, without any external funding or support from FINAS.

 

Meanwhile, Viknes said he agreed to direct The Keris because he wanted to explore the Malay film industry after spending 15 years producing Tamil-language films. He explained that The Keris began with his confidence in the strength of its script and unique storyline, which is rich in cultural, historical, and national identity elements.

“When I read the script and story, I felt it had great potential. We conducted extensive research on the keris, its history, as well as Malay customs and culture, including various traditional terms and values,” he said.

“The film presents a combination of Malay legends, particularly the legendary battle between Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat, reimagined in a modern setting to give new life to a story rooted in Malay heritage.”

 

 

He also stated that the production team carried out comprehensive research before completing the final script, while script development involved Datuk Zulkiflie M. Osman. Regarding challenges, Viknes admitted that directing a Malay-language film for the first time came with its own difficulties, particularly in terms of communication.

“I have always worked in the Tamil film environment and usually communicate in Tamil. For The Keris, communicating in Malay was somewhat challenging, especially when giving instructions or explanations to the production team and cast,” he explained.

 

However, he expressed gratitude for the support and assistance of experienced actors such as Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan and Raja Azrey, who greatly helped facilitate the filming process. Featuring a cast that includes Syazlie Syazz, Julia Larica, Firdaus Luthuffi, Zainal Isa, Raja Azrey, and Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan, The Keris will be released in cinemas nationwide starting 2 July 2026.

 

 

Adding to its uniqueness, the film also features a special cameo appearance by the Menteri Besar of Kedah, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

 

SINOPSIS

Since the legendary battle between Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat, the famous Taming Sari Keris has been preserved and passed down through generations as a royal ceremonial weapon of the Perak royal family.

But where is the ceremonial keris belonging to Hang Tuah, known as the Keris Tempa Melaka, hidden?

Marverick (John Marverick), a Russian mafia leader, plans to register his son, John Vickey, a Muay Thai practitioner, in a martial arts championship to be held in Malaysia. This decision is driven by persuasion from Mr. Samuel, his business partner.

Behind the tournament, they are secretly involved in illegal drug trafficking operations, using martial arts competitions in Nigeria as a front for their activities.

However, Mr. Samuel has a mission of his own. Having learned about the extraordinary powers of the Keris Tempa Melaka, he seeks to obtain it in order to become an influential and powerful figure. He knows that Pak Hassan is the keeper of the authentic Keris Tempa Melaka once belonging to Hang Tuah, and that Pak Hassan has a son, Daeng, who is highly skilled in traditional silat.

 

 

 

Official Poster THE KERIS

 

 

THE KERIS
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