On April 24th, 2026 (Friday), Five Star Trading (FST) officially organized its rebrand launch event at the Park Royal Hotel. The event was attended by industry partners, media representatives, and distinguished guests, all gathered to celebrate a new chapter in the Malaysian cinema industry. The rebrand reflects FST’s evolution into a modern, community-driven brand while honoring its 40-year legacy as a family-run business founded by Mr. Garuna Murthee.
The event officially kicked off with a welcome speech by Master of Ceremony, Carey Ng, who greeted the Chief Guest, Dato Hans Isaac, Chairman of FINAS, and set the atmosphere for an afternoon focused on the future of cinema in Malaysia. Dr. Sai Suthan Krishnan provided a keynote address discussing the vision behind the rebranding initiative. This was succeeded by the unveiling of the official FST launch video, which showcased the brand’s updated identity, philosophy, and direction.
“The rebrand introduces a unified identity across FST’s three core divisions: film exhibition, distribution, and productions, anchored by the group’s overarching purpose of delivering wholesome, infotainment-driven entertainment for Malaysians. Central to this transformation is FST Cinemas’ new positioning as ‘Your Friendly Neighbourhood Cinema’, that is, bringing cinema closer to audiences who seek meaningful, shared experiences as a community, beyond the home,” Dr Suthan asserted.
FST Cinemas
The rebranding showcases a refreshed visual identity, anchored by a robust black-and-white foundation followed with vibrant purple and orange tones. The FST Cinemas logo, defined by its simple design and designed as an ambigram, symbolizes the idea that art can be viewed from multiple perspectives.
“With the tagline “FEEL STORIES TOGETHER”, FST Cinemas places communal connection at the heart of its offering. This will be accompanied by a focus on enhancements in seating, sound,projection quality, overall ambience, and expanded concession offerings,” said Dr Suthan.
Key Highlight: Karuppu Movie Distribution by FST Cinemas
One of the main highlights of the event was the announcement of Karuppu, an upcoming Tamil movie distributed by FST and Heartworks Pictures. This marks the group’s renewed commitment to delivering impactful and culturally resonant films to the Malaysian audience. The movie stars Suriya, Trisha Krishnan, and RJ Balaji, who is also the director. “Karuppu” is set to be released worldwide on May 14, 2026.
New Initiative
As part of its expansion strategy, FST intends to increase its presence by launching a new cinema by the third quarter of 2027. This venture is in partnership with YKL Capital Sdn Bhd, who are leading an ambitious new project known as “The Hub Business Park” in Muar, reflecting their vision for the developing township of Muar.
FST will prioritize suburban and less developed markets while striving for fully multilingual programming throughout all cinemas. The organization will also focus on digital transformation to enhance both its operations and the customer experience.
As FST progresses, it remains committed to building on its legacy in production and distribution, aiming to rank among the leading players in both areas. Informed by its new brand philosophy, grounded in its foundational values, and bolstered by its multicultural identity, FST is ready to transform the cinema experience for Malaysians.
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