Skyzen Studios from Malaysia has unveiled the inaugural trailer for Sun-J Perumal’s second feature film, “Fire on Water” (“Neer Mel Neruppu”), set to premiere at the prestigious International Film Festival Rotterdam’s Harbour section.
The film spans two decades and revolves around Karthi, an aspiring filmmaker entrenched in various roles within commercial television and cinema. Despite his experiences as an assistant director, editor, and sound recordist, Karthi becomes disillusioned with the dearth of opportunities to create authentic feature films in Malaysia until he encounters a like-minded individual.
Following the success of his debut feature “Jagat” (2015), which depicted the challenges faced by the Malaysian Indian community post-transition from rubber plantations to urban life and won the Best Film award at the Malaysian Film Festival, Perumal shared insights about his latest creation, “Fire on Water.”
“This film script reflects bittersweet contemplations from my 20 years in the television and film industry,” said Perumal to Variety. “Many emerging directors, who entered the industry around a decade ago, still grapple with financial struggles, lack of recognition, and restricted creative freedom. Witnessing their challenges resonated with my earlier experiences, compelling me to narrate this story. While filmmakers face significant hurdles, they are dwarfed by broader societal issues confronting our nation.”
Describing it as auto-fiction, Perumal explained, “‘Fire on Water’ weaves together fragments of my life interlaced with invented characters, imagined events, and distilled truths. Crucially, it presents a character-driven drama that, despite its cultural specificity, holds the potential for universal resonance. My storytelling impetus stemmed not from seeking conversation but from an innate conviction that this story needed expression.”
The film is predominantly in Tamil, an ancient language prevalent in India and maintained in Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. Despite forming about 7% of Malaysia’s population, Tamils have maintained a significant cultural influence, with the Tamil film industry, known as Kollywood, remaining a major force in the region.
Acknowledging the history of Malaysian Tamil cinema, Perumal highlighted its evolution, citing milestones like “Ratha Paei” (1969) and “Naan Oru Malaysian” (1991). He noted a revival in film production from 2001 onward, thanks to affordable digital filmmaking tools, leading to a surge in independent features between 2004 and 2011, totaling approximately 100 productions.
Discussing pivotal support for minority filmmakers, Perumal credited a 2012 policy change by the Ministry and FINAS for extending the mandatory local film screenings to non-Malay films, encouraging theatrical releases and enhancing visibility. He emphasized the need to preserve Malaysian Tamil cinema’s unique identity amid the dominance of mainstream Kollywood influence.
Perumal expressed optimism regarding the future of Malaysian Tamil films, expecting increased global reach facilitated by social streaming platforms erasing geographical boundaries. He stressed the importance of embracing indigenous narratives for genuine success.
Following its Rotterdam premiere, “Fire on Water” is slated for a theatrical release in Malaysia. With streaming platforms expanding access to global audiences, Perumal anticipates Malaysian films gaining broader recognition on an international scale.
“Fire on Water,” co-written by Perumal and Sivanantham Perianan and produced by Skyzen Studios, features Karnan Kanapathy, Rubini Sambanthan, and Rupini Krishnan in pivotal roles.
