The Banduan Gala Night, held at TGV Suria KLCC, featured an impressive lineup of Malaysian stars including Dato’ Aaron Aziz, Datuk Rosyam Nor, Dato’ Afdlin Shauki, Fadli Masoot, Adlin Aman Ramlie, Hushairi Husain, Amir Nafis, Esma Daniel, Abi Madyan, Hawra, Dayang Areeda, Joshua Michael, Zairi Abdul Aziz, and Meynillan.
Adding to the excitement, the evening was made even more special by the presence of Karthi Sivakumar, the lead actor from the original Kaithi, who was specially flown in to Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the Malaysian premiere of this adaptation.
Banduan takes audiences on an adrenaline-filled journey through the story of Dali, a former prisoner recently released after 10 years, determined to reunite with his daughter for the first time. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he becomes entangled in a dangerous mission with Inspector Johari, racing against time to save a group of poisoned officers and police held hostage by a vengeful gang.
The original Kaithi, released in India in 2019 in Tamil, grossed nearly ₹105 crore (RM58 million) worldwide, becoming one of the most successful Tamil films of the year and marking Karthi’s first ₹100 crore milestone.
The Malaysian version, Banduan, delivers a story that feels closer to home, weaving in local flavors and culture, from iconic dishes like Nasi Dagang to locations and language that reflect Malaysia’s unique identity, giving the adaptation a distinctly fresh and authentic feel.
The film also marks the powerful comeback of Malaysia’s “King of Action,” Dato’ Aaron Aziz, who brings charisma and raw intensity to every fight sequence.
Directed by Kroll Azry and produced by Number Twenty One Media in collaboration with Dream Warrior Pictures, the film also features Astro Shaw as its marketing and distribution partner.
Excitingly, this action-packed film is set for a simultaneous release in Canada, the United States, Brunei, and Singapore on November 6.
According to Banduan’s Executive Producer, Kalyana Devan, “We chose to adapt Kaithi for a Malaysian audience because of its universal and deeply human story. With only subtle cultural differences between Indian and Malaysian viewers, we felt it was the perfect story to reimagine locally.
Banduan stays true to the spirit of Kaithi, while being naturally localised through our setting, language, and culture. It’s not just an action film, it’s a story about love, sacrifice, and redemption that resonates deeply.”
We hope Banduan will not only be well-received by Malaysian audiences but also serve as a creative bridge between the Indian and Malaysian film industries, strengthening regional collaboration and elevating our local cinema to new heights.”
On 23 October, Banduan held a special screening at Kajang Prison, attended by 80 inmates. The exclusive event was part of an outreach initiative titled “Second Chances, Still a Ray of Hope”, featuring the main cast and celebrating the theme of redemption that runs throughout the film.
Catch the high-octane action of Banduan in cinemas nationwide starting 6 November 2025.