With plenty of heart and horsepower, ‘Terbang’ flies high

The movie "Terbang" tells the story of Malaysian rally driver Ajeet, played by Irfan Zaini, and his journey in motorsport. Long before Malaysia embraced Sepang and Formula One, Karamjit Singh, known as "The Flying Sikh," was making waves as a top rally driver. "Terbang" is a sports drama directed by Chiu Keng Guan and inspired by Karamjit's life, but it goes beyond a conventional sports biopic.

Ajeet's career takes a turn when tragedy strikes, and he leaves racing to work as a mechanic with his wife Lisa, also a racer, played by Shweta Sekhon. When Lisa is diagnosed with cancer, Ajeet returns to racing, joining a struggling Malaysian rally team led by Rahim, played by Nam Ron. Ajeet works with the hot-headed co-driver Wai Kitt, portrayed by Jack Tan, as they compete in an international rally tournament.

The film excels in creating relatable characters and keeping audiences engaged through heartwarming moments and high-octane racing sequences. While some performances may feel wooden, the cast delivers their best efforts, making Ajeet an engaging protagonist, Rahim brings gruff charm, and Zizan Razak brings laughs as the comical mechanic Imran.

"Terbang" is characterized by its well-executed rally scenes and car stunts. It is accessible to those unfamiliar with racing, offering sufficient racing information without delving too deeply into technicalities. The film captures the challenges and thrills of rally racing while balancing its tone to avoid melodrama. It may occasionally feel overcrowded, but it makes good use of its runtime.

Overall, "Terbang" is an entertaining crowd-pleaser that balances heartfelt moments with high-octane thrills, capturing the Malaysian spirit and making for a fitting Malaysia Day watch.