Bollywood movie about Dr M’s return on the cards

A Bollywood producer is planning to make a movie on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s triumphant return to office as Malaysia’s Prime Minister, portraying him as a saviour in the campaign against corruption.

Raman Kumar, 73, said the film would focus on the political intrigue and how Dr Mahathir used “common sense, wisdom” and his 22year experience as prime minister from 1981 to 2003 to campaign on an anticorruption platform to helm the nation again.

“I want to direct and produce this movie because Dr Mahathir, at the age of 92, managed to bring Malaysians together in what proved to be a victorious election.

“He is indeed a marvel of strength, will and tenacity,” he told Bernama.

With the planned title Malaysia’s Saviour Mahathir, the movie would be shot in Hindi and dubbed into Malay and English.

Raman, who has produced more than 10 movies, including five in Malaysia, noted that Dr Mahathir’s leadership in forging multiracial bonds got Malaysians to vote for a new Government under Pakatan Harapan, which he chairs.

“I want to tell the intense story of the remaking of Malaysia after six decades of trials and tribulations, and the way Malaysians felt the moment the (then) Opposition won,” he said.

Dr Mahathir steered Pakatan to the May 9 general election victory, bringing down the Barisan Nasional coalition under his predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who has since resigned as Barisan chairman and Umno president.

“Malaysia was reborn. May 9 was a new day. Malaysia has been given a new chance,” Raman said of the Dr Mahathirled Pakatan’s stunning election victory.

“I find Dr Mahathir a colourful character and we want to tell the story as it is.

“It involves a lot of research and we have engaged a Malaysian, who has a better understanding of Malaysian politics, to write the script,” said the producer, referring to M. Krishnamoorthy, a journalist and associate professor.

Raman, who resides in the United Kingdom, Mumbai in India as well as Malaysia, said the movie would feature Malaysian actors and that part of the film crew would come from Mumbai.

I want to tell the intense story of the remaking of Malaysia after six decades of tribulations and the way Malaysians felt when the (then) Opposition won. Raman Kumar