A decade after it’s groundbreaking debut, Jagat (2015), the critically acclaimed Malaysian Tamil film that left an mark on Southeast Asian cinema is returning to the big screen. The re-release is scheduled to happen on 23rd May, marking the film’s 10th anniversary and this time, it brings with it more than just nostalgia.
Director Sun-J Perumal commemorates this milestone with the launch of two brand new feature films, Macai, premiering on 24th July 2025 and Neer Mel Neruppu (Fire on Water), premiering on 18th September 2025. Though each film stands on it’s own, together they form a bold, interconnected trilogy that reframes the original Jagat through two alternate life paths of it’s central character, Appoy.
One Character, Three Destinies
In Jagat, we witnessed young Appoy pulled into the undercurrents of gang culture, a reflection of urban marginalisation and social struggle in 1990s Malaysia. But what if he’d chose differently? That what if becomes the force behind the two new films.
In Neer Mel Neruppu (Fire on Water), Appoy is reimagined as a studious youth who channels his pain into art, eventually becoming a filmmaker. The romantic drama explores love, identity, and self-expression.
Meanwhile, Macai takes a darker turn. Set against the gritty backdrop of street-level crime, the film imagines Appoy’s descent into the drug underworld, a harsh yet deeply human story about survival, consequences and systematic entrapment.
These aren’t sequels in the traditional sense, they’re spiritual extensions, each unravelling a different thread of destiny, grounded to the same social realities that made Jagat so powerful.
A Trilogy That Defies Convention
With Jagat, Macai and Neer Mel Neruppu, Sun-J Perumal constructs more than just a trilogy, he crafts a cinematic universe that’s immersive, deeply rooted in Malaysian identity. The films explore how environment, social pressure and singular moments of choice can forge entirely different futures. It’s a storytelling framework that resonates far beyond borders.
Each film varies in tone and genre, from gritty crime drama to romantic drama. But they are all unified by a strong directional vision, taken in raw emotional realism and cultural authenticity. The trilogy is slated for a theatrical release in Malaysia.
For local audiences, Jagat’s return is not just a chance to revisit the classic but an invitation to engage with a broader and bolder audience.
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