Malay film Bakti, (Faithfulness) produced by Shaw Brothers’ film production house, Malay Film Productions, launched the careers of Lakshmanan Krishnan as director and P. Ramlee as film star.[1]
The plot is loosely based on a scene in the novel Les Misérables in which a vagabond, sheltered by a bishop from inclement weather, returns the favour by stealing from him. Instead of recrimination, the bishop forgives the man.[2] In Bakti, a wealthy man, Ibrahim, adopts an impoverished orphan, Nasir. Ibrahim’s spoilt biological son Hassan objects, while his daughter Sa’adiyah allies herself with the newcomer.[3] After marrying a wife consumed by greed, Hassan turns to thieving to support their lifestyle. He is caught and imprisoned; upon his release, he steals from his adopted brother Nasir. However, Nasir saves him from the arm of the law by informing the police that the stolen items are actually gifts he planned to give Hassan. Hassan is thus released and comes to realise Nasir’s noble heart and kind intentions.[4]
Bakti premiered at Shaw’s Rex cinema on the midnight of 1 April 1950.[5] The film had regular daily screenings at 11 am, 1.45 pm, 4 pm, 6.30 pm and 9.30 pm,[6] before ending its run on 14 April.[7] Bakti was then screened in cinemas in other parts of Malaya, such as the Lido in Penang in May 1950 and the Atlantic in Johor Bahru between June and July the same year.[8]
The black-and-white film was directed by Lakshmanan Krishnan who also wrote the screenplay,[9] although the original story was written by fellow Indian director S. Ramanathan.[10] Krishnan, already an experienced director, was employed by Shaw in 1949. Bakti is Krishnan’s first film under Malay Film Productions.[11] He saw the potential in P. Ramlee, who was already known for his singing voice and had done bit parts in previous films. Krishnan cast Ramlee in the lead role of Nasir, thus paving the way for his illustrious acting career in the film industry.[12] Krishnan subsequently made 33 more films in Singapore and Malaya/Malaysia.[13]
Other key actors who starred in the film included Kasma Booty as Sa’adiyah, S. Roomai Noor as Hassan and Siput Sarawak as Hassan’s wife Edah.[14] Kasma Booty was initially reluctant to act alongside Ramlee who was then an unknown. However, after much persuasion from Krishnan, she agreed and only retrospectively appreciated how successful the film was because of Ramlee.[15]
The music and songs in the film were composed and written by Osman Ahmad. P. Ramlee sang five songs – Hidup Berdua (with Nona Asiah), Merpati Dua Sejoli (with Momo), Hidup Melarat, Taman Puspawarna and Sate – while Nona Asiah sang one, Sedang Bergaya. The songs were subsequently recorded into an album and sold.[16]
Within a few days of its screening, Bakti received rave reviews for being “skilfully directed and beautifully photographed”.[17] It was also commended for its clear storyline, so much so that even those who could not understand Malay did not have trouble following the plot. The acting of both the experienced performers and new child actors was also highly praised.[18]
References
1. A. R. Mustafar & Aziz Sattar. (2008). Filem-filem P. Ramlee (p. 41). Seremban: MZA Terbit Enterprise. Call no.: RSING 791.430899928 MUS; Moses, B. (2013, March 2). He made P. Ramlee a movie icon. New Straits Times. Retrieved September 21, 2014, from http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/he-made-p-ramlee-a-movie-icon-1.227139
2. Harding, J., & Ahmad Sarji. (2002). P. Ramlee:Tthe bright star (p. 27). Selangor : Pelanduk Publications. Call no.: RSEA 791.43028092 HAR.
3. Millet, R. (2006). Singapore cinema (p. 118). Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. Call no.: RSING q791.43095957 MIL.
4. Mustafar & Aziz, 2008, p. 39.
5. Page 8 Advertisements Column 2. (1950, March 29). The Singapore Free Press, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
6. Page 10 Advertisments Column 1. (1950, April 5). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
7. Page 9 Advertisements Column 2. (1950, April 14). The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
8. Page 3 Miscellaneous Column 2. (1950, May 9). The Singapore Free Press, p. 3; Page 9 Advertisements Column 2. (1950, June 2). The Straits Times, p. 9; Page 14 Advertisements Column 2. (1950, July 30). The Straits Times, p. 14. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
9. Millet, 2006, p. 118.
10. Harding & Sarji, 2002, p. 49; Marsh, T. (1950, May 21). The Malayan scene. The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
11. Harding & Sarji, 2002, p. 49.
12. Harding & Sarji, 2002, pp. 26–28.
13. New Straits Times, 2 Mar 2013.
14. Millet, 2006, pp. 43, 118.
15. Mustafar & Aziz, 2008, p. 42.
16. Mustafar & Aziz, 2008, p. 42.
17. More brickbats. (1950, April 6). The Straits Times, p. 13; Kuan, Y. (1950, March 31). “Bakti” is best Malay film yet. The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
18. Mustafar & Aziz, 2008, pp. 41–42.
The information in this article is valid as at 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.