Sidharta Tata Wants Ali Topan's Version Of Jefri Nichol To Appear Different

Director and player producer Ali Topan (Tari/VOI)

JAKARTA - Successfully with his directorial debut, Sidharta Tata presents Ali Topan's film adapted from a novel of the same name by the late Teguh Esha which became a pop culture in the 70s' era.

With its latest version, the film produced by Visinema Pictures and Legacy Pictures features Jefri Nichol as the Ali Topan. Even so, they want to bring the figure of Ali Topan as a person relevant to the current generation.

"Ali Topan is an IP (intellectic property), it's a kind of pop culture in the 70s, so we made it according to the new value today, how can there be a responsible retail figure," said Tersi Eva as the producer at the press conference today, Tuesday, February 13.

"Actually, Ali Topan is still taking a core of the spirit of youth who fight deviational injustice whose values are important to himself and those around him. This is still an actual thing where the space is then distinguished because from the discussion, the term for street children is irrelevant," said Sidharta Tata explaining that there is no word Street Children in this title.

This different space does not release the iconic character Ali Topan and still displays portraits of young people with free spirits. Jefri Nichol as the actor Ali Topan tries to take the same breath from the portrait of the character he just reads.

"Honestly, when he was invited to join because his IP was big and he didn't know the story. When talking to Mas Tata, he said he wanted a free soul and inspired people who watched and read at that time, so hopefully this (film) inspires those who watch this year," said Jefri Nichol.

Yusuf Adrai as the son of the late Teguh Esha also recalled his father's opinion about Ali Topan. He hopes that the figure of Ali Topan is a figure who lives a free soul and is not afraid to fight the boundaries.

'Ali Topan was born in the '70s' and we meet here for some reason. My father said, Ali Topan is not just a style. He is a soul with a risky future. This short message at the same time understands that it is a picture not of appearance and wants to fight boundaries," said Yusuf.

Ali Topan tells the story of Ali Topan (Jefri Nichol) who has a free spirit and lives in the Art Stall with his friends. He meets Anna Karenina (Lutesha), the daughter of a conglomerate who feels constrained in her life. The two then began to seek freedom and identity together.

Meanwhile, the film Ali Topan will be released in Indonesian cinemas starting February 14, 2024.