The struggle to switch local drama narratives is real, says Wan Mahani
KUALA LUMPUR: The push for fresh, innovative screenplays often hits a brick wall of viewer preferences and network demands, leaving local dramas dominated by cliched formulas.
Malaysia's local drama scene is grappling with a lack of fresh, innovative narratives, according to veteran scriptwriter Wan Mahani. Cliched formulas dominate the industry, leaving creators hungry for more daring stories. However, audience response to unconventional work is a significant obstacle. Wan Mahani, with over 15 years of experience, notes that dramas with fresh concepts often struggle to gain viewership.
Comparing local dramas to popular international productions like South Korean and Tamil films, Wan Mahani wishes for more unpredictable and diverse narratives. Despite some attempts at innovation, these efforts have received lukewarm response and low ratings. The influx of international content exposes audiences to alternative storylines, causing Malay dramas to be perceived as uninteresting or mediocre.
While themes like marital conflict, home-wreckers, and domestic violence remain popular due to their reflection of real-life issues, creators aspire to explore faith-based stories rooted in true Islamic values. However, TV stations may be hesitant to take risks, fearing low reception. The industry should move away from outdated formulas, as controversy tends to generate more buzz than compelling narratives.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
