6 Oct – "Malbatt: Misi Bakara" is set to be one of the most expensive films to be produced in Malaysia. Its director Adrian Teh recently shared that a majority of the budget, approximately RM20 million, will be focused on the field cost that include the reconstruction of military equipment. "We had to reorder the uniforms used by the battalion members, and that itself cost hundreds and thousands of ringgit. We also rebuild sets and military equipment," he said.
In addition, the casting of experienced actors like Hairul Azreen, Zahiril Adzim, Bront Palarae, and Shaheizy Sam as well as using Turkey as the filming location will play a big role. The upcoming movie is based on the true story behind the Black Hawk Down incident, which revolves around the 19 members from the Royal Malay Soldier Regiment (RAMD) Mechanics from the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 1 and their dangerous mission in saving 70 US Rangers who were trapped in the Bakara Market in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993. While Hollywood has made a movie about the incident in 2001 starring Josh Hartnett and Eric Bana, the movie failed to acknowledge the Malaysian battalion's effort in saving the US Rangers. Among other Malaysian films with expensive budgets include 2004's "Puteri Gunung Ledang" at RM16.6 million and U-Wei Hj Saari's 2016 movie "Hanyut" at RM18 million.