Cinta Metropolitan

Cinta Metropolitan (Metropolitan Love) is a 1996 Malaysian action-romantic film co-produced by JD Productions and Grand Brilliance Sdn. Bhd. and directed by Zulkefli M. Osman.^[1] The film stars Norman, Yusry, and Edry Abdul Halim of KRU, Vanida Imran, Emilia Rosnaida, Noreen Noor, and Jalaluddin Hassan.^[2]

Haris, a photographer, meets his estranged brother Irwan at a dinner event. They become acquainted with Azlin after stopping a theft attempt. Irwan, who lives with his partner Monisa, develops interest in Azlin. Tension arises between the brothers when Irwan also approaches Haris’s girlfriend, Nurul. A thief named Rizal later reveals that Azlin’s brother, Farouk, is involved in a counterfeit money operation. The group becomes pursued by the syndicate and flees abroad.^[3]

• Dato' Norman KRU as Haris – Irwan's older brother, a photographer who often rushes his work
• Datuk Yusry KRU as Irwan – a casanova, Haris's younger brother, educated abroad
• Edry KRU as Rizal – a thief and orphan
• Vanidah Imran as Nurul – Haris's close friend
• Emylia Rosnaida as Azlin – Farouk's younger sister, later falls in love with Irwan
• Dato' Jalaluddin Hassan as Farouk – leader of a counterfeit money syndicate
• Noreen Noor as Monisa – Irwan's sugar mummy
• Osman Kering as Cik Mat Tahir – Haris's boss
• Sheila Mambo as Sandra – Farouk's right-hand person
• Nana Nurgaya as Sara – Rizal's fellow thief

The film was produced by Julie Dahlan under JD Productions.^[4] The KRU brothers—Norman, Yusry, and Edry—were cast in October 1995, reportedly receiving RM120,000 for their participation.^[5][6] They also performed most of their own stunts in the film.^[7]

Principal photography began in October 1995.^[8] Filming also took place in Medan, Indonesia, over a ten-day period.^[9] The film’s production cost was estimated at RM1.2 million, making it the most expensive JD Productions' film to date.^[3]

The film was released on September 1996.^[10][11] It was distributed by Grand Brilliance Sdn. Bhd.^[12]

The films had reached RM500,000 in the opening week.^[13] The film collected RM861,000 after 14 days in 13 cinemas.^[14] Total gross was RM1.1 million.^[15]

A budget of RM100,000 was allocated for promotion across print, electronic media, and the film's original soundtrack.^[16]

The cast — KRU (Norman, Yusry, Edry), Vanida Imran, Emilia Rosnaida, Noreen Noor, and Jalaluddin Hassan — participated in meet-and-greet sessions at selected cinemas.^[17][12]

A contest linked to the film’s screenings offered prizes include free tickets to the movie, cassettes of the soundtrack, trips, hotel stays, dinner with the cast, T- shirt and merchandise.^[17]

The film targeted teen audiences, and KRU’s popularity was used to attract viewers.^[18][19]

Cinta Metropolitan received mixed reviews from critics. Haliza Ahmad of The Malay Mail described the film as “another version of KRU’s debut movie Awas!.^[3] Berita Harian reported that the movie’s box-office performance was below expectations despite wide publicity and extensive promotion.^[20]

The original soundtrack was released by EMI Music Malaysia.^[21] It contained 21 tracks performed by KRU.^[22]

A novel adaptation of the film was published in August 1996 to promote the film.^[11] It was the first novel published by KRU Publishing Sdn. Bhd.^[11][23]

Julie Dahlan planned a sequel titled Cinta Metropolitan 2.^[24] Disappointed with the reception of their first film, the KRU brothers were not interested in taking on acting roles despite lucrative offers.^[25] Following the film, the KRU brothers shifted their focus to music and television production.^[26]

• Cinta Metropolitan at Letterboxd