PETALING JAYA: If Sangkar, last year's blockbuster film was a first for mixed martial arts (MMA) on the big screen, fans of wrestling are in for a treat come May next year.
Quin Media and APAC Wrestling present Gila Gusti, the country's first film about wrestling, and it stars none other than the country's first professional wrestler Ayez Shaukat Fonseka Farid.
Shaukat, 32, whose past credits include the stunt choreography in KL Gangster 2 and Juvana 2 and 3, is the founder of APAC Wrestling which promotes professional wrestling.
He will co-star in the film directed by Silver Chung of Balistik fame with his proteges The Wonderboy, Gautham Kanakaraj (Gotham), Poppy Ang and Nor Diana (Phoenix), the country's first "hijab" wrestler.
"I'm very excited to appear in my first leading role. Gila Gusti is a great avenue to introduce young Malaysians to professional wrestling," said Shaukat at the launch of the film in APAC Wrestling, in Kota Damansara here today.
"While wrestling takes centrestage, Gila Gusti is also a feel good and motivational story, about not giving up, holding on to your dreams and climbing back to the top when you are down and out."
In Gila Gusti, Shaukat plays a successful wrestler Naga who loses his self-confidence when he is dethroned as a world champion by a stronger rival.
However, two of his staunchest fans Mamat and Zul encourage him to make a comeback, and he regains his self-confidence by coaching them in the sport.
The film's executive producer Datuk Alvin Ooi of Quin Media said that the month-long filming would begin in January.
"Filming will be in strict accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures. If all goes well, we plan to have a sequel too," he said.
Popular actor Syafie Naswip of Polis Evo 2 and Mukhsin, male model Aisar Khaled and singer-songwriter Elizabeth Tan are Shaukat's main co-stars in Gila Gusti.
"Syafie and Aisar play Mamat and Zul respectively, while Elizabeth is Julia, an announcer for professional wrestling matches. I'm glad to work with some of the most popular young artistes of today," said Shaukat, who was trained as a wrestler by American WWE legend Booker T.