Remy Ishak
Othman
Overview
In the 1940s, Malays were world-renowned for their seafaring skills. Being of Bugis descent, they navigated the sea with natural ease and were often the favored seamen for international shipping lines. Othman, a fisherman from a small village in Malacca, leaves his family behind to sail the world, with hopes to return home one day with worldly riches and deserved pride. After decades at sea, however, his low wages as a deckhand leaves him disillusioned. He contemplates returning home to his family but ended up settling down in Liverpool, England. 60 years later, his grandson, Ahmad, journeys halfway across the world in search of his grandfather.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Sea as a Second Skin
I’ve always been drawn to stories about men who leave. Not the grand, heroic departures—swords drawn, banners waving—but the quiet ones, the kind where a fisherman from a small village in Malacca walks down to the docks one morning, his sandals leaving faint imprints in the wet sand, and simply doesn’t come back for sixty years. Pulang, Kabir Bhatia’s 2018 film, is that kind of story. It’s not about the leaving so much as the weight of what’s left behind, the slow erosion of memory, and the way the sea becomes both a lover and a thief.
The film follows Othman, a Bugis seaman who sails away from his family in the 1940s, lured by the promise of the world and the myth of easy riches. Decades pass. He marries in Liverpool, grows old, and forgets the sound of his own language.
Then, sixty years later, his grandson Ahmad arrives in England, a young man with a photograph and a name, searching for the ghost of a man he never knew. The premise is simple, almost fable-like, but Pulang isn’t interested in easy resolutions. It’s a film about the things we carry with us, even when we think we’ve left them behind.
What strikes me first is the way Bhatia frames the sea. It’s not just a setting; it’s a character, one that shifts from nurturing to suffocating depending on the scene. In the early sequences, the water is alive with possibility—sunlight dancing on waves, the creak of wooden boats, the salty tang of the air.
The camera lingers on Othman’s hands as they grip the ropes, his fingers calloused from years of work, his body moving with the rhythm of the tide. There’s a tactile quality to these moments, a sense that the sea is as much a part of him as his own skin. But later, when Othman is an old man in Liverpool, the water becomes something else entirely.
It’s gray, choppy, unforgiving. The docks are slick with rain, the air thick with the smell of diesel and regret. The sea that once carried him away now feels like a barrier, something that keeps him from ever truly going home.
This duality is where Pulang finds its emotional core. The film isn’t just about distance; it’s about the way distance changes us, the way it warps our memories until we’re not sure what’s real anymore. Othman’s grandson, Ahmad, is the embodiment of that uncertainty.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
Audience 7.5/10
"A poignant and visually rich drama about love and sacrifice, anchored by strong performances but occasionally slowed by its emotional weight."
Viewers appreciate the heartfelt storytelling and the emotional depth of the film, particularly the lead performances that bring authenticity to the decades-long separation and reunion. However, some find the pacing uneven, with moments that drag despite the compelling narrative. latestnetflix.com's view is that the film’s historical backdrop and cultural details are praised, though a few note the story’s predictability.
What viewers praise
- Emotional depth The film’s portrayal of love, longing, and sacrifice resonates strongly with audiences, making it a moving experience.
- Strong lead performances Remy Ishak and Puteri Aishah deliver compelling performances that anchor the film’s emotional core.
- Rich historical backdrop The 1940s setting and cultural details of Malay seafaring life are well-researched and add authenticity to the story.
- Visually appealing The cinematography and visual tone enhance the film’s emotional and historical atmosphere.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Some viewers feel the film drags in parts, particularly during the middle act, which may test patience.
- Predictable narrative The story follows familiar tropes of long-term separation and reunion, offering few surprises.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, while present, lack depth and feel secondary to the main storyline.
Recommended for
Fans of historical dramas Lovers of emotional storytelling Admirers of Malay cinema Viewers who enjoy slow-burn romances Those interested in seafaring history
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Pulang (2018): A Malaysian Epic’s Journey to the Screen
Pulang (2018), directed by Kabir Bhatia, is a historical drama set against the backdrop of colonial Malaya, blending adventure and emotional depth. Starring Remy Ishak, Puteri Aishah, and a ensemble cast, the film promised a sweeping narrative—but its production wasn’t without challenges. latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what the limited behind-the-scenes evidence reveals about the making of this ambitious project.
A Director’s Vision: Colonial Malaya Reimagined
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiFWYHLz5ok
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjOwsZt_z_4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koqK-AuEbk0
Kabir Bhatia, the film’s director, aimed to transport audiences to a pivotal era in Malaysian history. While the retrieved evidence doesn’t detail his exact creative process, the film’s official trailers and promotional materials emphasize its grand scale, from lush period sets to intense dramatic sequences. A YouTube featurette titled "Reliving Colonial Malaya" suggests Bhatia sought authenticity, though specifics about historical research or on-set advisors remain unverified.
The film’s runtime—119 minutes 
—hints at a deliberate pacing, likely designed to immerse viewers in its historical setting. However, without deeper production notes, it’s unclear how closely the final cut aligned with Bhatia’s original vision.
Cast Dynamics: Patience Wearing Thin?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaGNaIqcI40
The ensemble cast, including Remy Ishak and Puteri Aishah, brought star power to Pulang, but at least one behind-the-scenes clip hints at tension. A YouTube video titled "The Cast of 'Pulang' Are Losing Their Patience!" suggests frustration during filming, though the snippet doesn’t clarify whether this was due to long hours, creative differences, or logistical issues. Without additional context, it’s impossible to determine how widespread or disruptive these challenges were.
Other cast members, like Alvin Wong and Azrel Ismail, appear in promotional materials , but their individual experiences remain undocumented. The lack of interviews or detailed accounts leaves much of the cast’s collaboration shrouded in mystery.
The Making-Of: Glimpses Behind the Curtain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-I5TvhagsA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnT8UbAZ3JU
Several behind-the-scenes videos offer fragmented insights into Pulang’s production. A full making-of feature and a three-part series likely showcase the film’s logistics, from set design to costume fittings. However, without access to the full content, key details—such as budget constraints, filming locations, or reshoots—remain speculative.
One teaser trailer and the official trailer highlight the film’s cinematic ambition, but they don’t reveal whether the production faced delays or creative pivots. Rumors of on-set drama (like the "losing patience" clip ) persist, but without corroboration, they’re best treated as unverified.
The Verdict: A Film with More Questions Than Answers
Pulang (2018) stands as a notable entry in Malaysian cinema, but its behind-the-scenes story is frustratingly incomplete. The available evidence—trailers, cast snippets, and brief featurettes—paints a picture of ambition and occasional friction, yet critical details are missing. Was the production plagued by delays? Did the cast’s reported impatience affect the final product? Without further documentation, these questions linger.
For now, Pulang’s legacy is defined by what’s on screen: a historical epic that, for better or worse, left much of its backstory untold.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.