KUALA LUMPUR: Popular actress and producer Liyana Jasmay is always thankful to the iconic film Papadom for rocketing her to stardom on the big screen.
Screened 10 years ago, the heartwarming Astro Shaw production saw her team up with Datuk Afdlin Shauki and earned her the Best Actress award at the 22nd Malaysian Film Festival (FFM22).
Papadom, which also won Best Film in FFM22 told the story of an over-protective single father Saadom (Afdlin) who pretended to be a gardener at his daughter Miasara's (Liyana) university to keep an eye on her.
Liyana, 31, uploaded a photo of Afdlin, the cast and crew of Papadom and herself at FFM22 on Instagram yesterday, and expressed concern that there was a lack of feel-good films which celebrated family values these days.
In her caption to the photo, she said: "I found this photo online. How time flies! This was 10 years ago and Papadom won Best Film in FFM22. I can still remember feeling excited and happy. It was such a heartwarming story about family with lots of love, emotion and fun.
“Why can't we make films like Papadom any more? Why does everything have to be so serious, fast and scary with gunfire, fights, fast cars and lack of human emotions these days?
“In my honest opinion, we need more feel good films to educate and entertain viewers, for them to be kind, compassionate and caring.”
Netizens, including Liyana’s fellow actors and actress friends agreed with her.
One of them Nadia said: “It’s a cute story. Looks like my husband is Saadom to our little girl right now. We need more such films.”
Ika said: “Yes, there’s a lack of wholesome stuff these days. So many ‘hantu’ and violent stories now.”
Shahila said: “We need more Papadom all right, simple stories which are beautiful and full of edutainment.”
Afdlin assured Liyana that he had a feel good, family story in the pipeline. “God willing Miasara, something good is coming up.”
Actress and television host Daphne Iking said: “Jom we do lah. Happy stories with substance, just like Papadom.”
Papadom, directed by Afdlin in 2009, garnered RM3.2 million at the box office. It starred Noorkhiriah, Vanidah Imran, Datuk Farid Kamil, Scha Alyahya, Chelsia Ng, Pete Teo and Que Haidar.
It was also made by Afdlin into a 2011 Tamil film, Appalam.