KUALA LUMPUR: Fancy having songs and films called 'Tiada Tajuk' (Untitled)?
Canadian rock band Simple Plan had a 2005 hit of that name, and now, a Malaysian singer who rocketed to fame that year has directed its namesake for the cinemas.
Asmawi “Mawi” Ani, who won reality talent show Akademi Fantasia 3 with three quarters of viewers’ Short Messaging Service (SMS) votes, calls his directorial debut 'Tiada Tajuk'.
This “buddy adventure” which is loosely inspired by his journey to stardom, was filmed in the Klang Valley, Seremban and Melaka in January and February last year.
Starring AF singer-actors Hazama Azmi and Amira Othman, Raja Lawak’s Along Cham (Nizamuddin Ahmad), Joey Daud, Johan As’ari, Kamarool Yusoff, Ropie (Zahid Tajuddin) and Mawi himself, the adventure comedy was tentatively known as Rock Sangkut.
“That working title was apt, as the three protagonists, Hazama, Along and myself, are budding rock and pop musicians who have big dreams but are not appreciated in their hometown,” said Mawi at the launch of 'Tiada Tajuk' at Sogo Shopping Centre, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman here today.
“But later, the main actors and I decided to do something really out of this world — we decided to tell viewers our film has no title!”
Mawi, 38, did not reference Simple Plan’s hit song when he came up with the title.
“I am aware that there have been episodes of TV dramas, songs and films called Untitled over the years.
“As far as I know, there has not been a film called 'Tiada Tajuk' in Malaysia or Indonesia,” said Mawi, whose company Mawi World is the film’s producer.
'Tiada Tajuk' will be screened in cinemas nationwide on April 4, but from now until that date, Mawi is also giving fans a treat — they stand to win a Perodua Bezza and a Yamaha Y15 motorcycle if they can come up with a good alternative title to the film.
“Fans can join this competition by uploading the Mawi World application on Play Store and App Store. Besides an alternative title, they must also think of a good tagline for the film,” said Mawi, adding that the title will not be changed.