Adrian Teh pushes limits in 'Chelot'

Adrian Teh, a director with two decades of filmmaking experience, reveals that even after the commercial success of his previous blockbuster, Malbatt: Misi Bakara , he still experiences nervousness before each new project. He consistently strives to elevate his work, as evident in his latest film, Chelot . The movie marks the return of Teh to the action genre, following a brief hiatus.

Teh emphasizes that Chelot is not just about action sequences, but also focuses on drama and the story arc. While the action scenes are shorter than those in his previous films, they are more compact and meaningful. The director admits that the biggest challenge faced during the production was creating an ambitious single-take sequence, which he believes stands out as one of the most demanding shoots he has ever undertaken.

Planning for this shot took months and eventually earned a record in the Malaysia Book of Records for the "Longest Single Take Action Scene in a Feature Film." The 1.9km-long sequence lasted five minutes and nineteen seconds, required 300 crew members, 150 days of preparation, and 60 hours of rehearsals. Teh enlisted the help of the Special Actions Unit and weapons specialists Paul and Spencer to ensure the cast was well-prepared, including intensive firearms training.

Shaheizy Sam's character, Datuk Bakri, in Chelot was inspired by Javier Bardem's portrayal of villain Raoul Silva in Skyfall . Teh uses Bardem's performance as a benchmark for Sam's character, highlighting the danger lurking beneath Silva's calm demeanor.

Everyone involved in the production of Chelot , from the cast to the crew, contributed valuable input to help raise the standard of the movie. Teh praises the teamwork and cooperation throughout the 51-day shoot, which lasted over RM10 million. The film is currently playing in cinemas nationwide.