By: Mohamad Letfee Ahmad
SINGAPORE, November 20: In the spirit of Singapore’s 60th year of independence, the short drama series Aku Ramlee emerges as a tribute to the nation’s memory, identity, and heritage, told through the eyes of a humble street cobbler.
Director and scriptwriter Adi Yadoni said the five-episode drama, with each episode lasting two minutes, was produced by Wahyu Rahman as part of the SG60 Campaign initiative.
“The project is supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and spearheaded by the Association of Independent Producers (AIPRO), along with 150 other short video projects that capture the stories of Singaporean society,” he said in a statement.
He added that the production adopts a vertical video format, made specifically for TikTok and Instagram Reels, and blends elements of drama and magical realism.
“It presents a poetic narrative of belonging and the search for identity. In line with the SG60 theme, Belonging, Identity, and Legacy, the series pays tribute to traditional occupations that are fading away, while celebrating Malay culture through music, fashion, and storytelling,” he explained.
Adi further shared that Aku Ramlee was filmed entirely using a smartphone, combining traditional storytelling techniques with digital innovation.
“It reflects the evolution of creative expression and the courage of the younger generation to explore new media,” he said.
Set in the quiet backlanes of Geylang, Aku Ramlee tells the story of Sabarudin, a third-generation cobbler struggling to keep his craft alive. His life takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious woman in an old kebaya visits him to have her shoes repaired. The encounter unlocks long-buried memories and secrets. When she reappears a week later, now at a different age, Sabarudin is compelled to question his origins and the true meaning of heritage.
Featuring Firdaus Juma’at, Fadhli Ramlee, Diyanah Permata, Hashimah Hamidon and Megat Firdaus, the drama resonates with younger audiences seeking culturally rooted narratives, while evoking nostalgia among older viewers who still remember the rhythmic tapping of cobblers along the city’s alleys.
Aku Ramlee, which premiered on October 5, is available for viewing on TikTok.
Its original song, “Hanya Kita Berdua”, was performed by Fadhli Ramlee and Nadhrah Roslan.
–WE