#SHOWBIZ: Indonesia's iconic love story retold

TWO decades after ‘Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?’ (AADC) became a pop-culture phenomenon and defined an era of youthful romance in the early 2000s, the story has been reborn for a new generation.

This time, it returns as a musical film titled ‘Rangga & Cinta’, which opened in Malaysian cinemas last Thursday.

Directed by the acclaimed Riri Riza (who also helmed the 2016 sequel, AADC 2), the new film reimagines the timeless love story between Rangga and Cinta through the lens of music, poetry and nostalgia.

Combining elements of literature and melody, ‘Rangga & Cinta’ pays tribute to its roots while introducing a new artistic dimension to one of Indonesia’s most beloved cinematic legacies.

A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

For director Riri, revisiting AADC was a deeply emotional experience.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of this journey from the very beginning, starting with the script development,” he shared during the film’s premiere and press screening at TGV Suria KLCC recently.

“Working on this project has been both an honour and a heartwarming experience. I was especially inspired when I met the young cast members chosen through a highly selective process.”

To ensure authenticity and emotional depth, Riri implemented an intensive five-month training and rehearsal period.

“We spent almost five months refining every crucial scene. The biggest challenge was how to make this feel like a brand-new film without losing the soul of the original.

“I worked with many young and talented individuals, and their energy gives me great hope for the future of Indonesian cinema.”

Producer Mira Lesmana, who has worked alongside Riri for various projects in the past, emphasised that this new musical production had been developed with meticulous care to preserve the emotional DNA of the original.

“This project took years of planning. We wanted to ensure that the essence of AADC — the themes of youth, poetry and the bittersweetness of love — remained intact,” Mira explained.

Casting, she revealed, was one of the most challenging stages.

“We held open auditions involving over 700 young hopefuls before we finally discovered the perfect pair — El Putra Sarira as Rangga and Leya Princy as Cinta. Their chemistry felt natural from the start.”

Mira shared that nearly all musical sequences in the film were performed live by the cast.

“That decision brought an intimate energy to each scene. The actors weren’t just lip-syncing, they were feeling the music as they performed.”

MUSIC AS THE HEARTBEAT OF EMOTION

No AADC universe would be complete without the music of the Indonesian soundtrack queen Melly Goeslaw, whose iconic songs helped define the emotional landscape of the original film.

Once again, Melly’s work anchors ‘Rangga & Cinta’, with nine songs featured, including two brand-new compositions created specifically for this musical.

“The intellectual property of AADC remains strong,” Mira said.

“Melly’s songs have become cultural touchstones. They embody the nostalgia of an era. In a musical, songs are not just accessories. They express emotions that words cannot.

“When the characters sing, the audience feels their hearts open.”

This fusion of narrative and melody gives ‘Rangga & Cinta’ a universal appeal, blending cinematic storytelling with theatrical expression.

One of the creative decisions that sets ‘Rangga & Cinta’ apart is its choice to retain the early 2000s setting, a time before smartphones, social media and instant communication.

“We didn’t want to alter the story’s original essence by modernising it,” Mira explained.

“If we added gadgets and digital culture, we would lose the emotional tone that made AADC so special. We wanted younger audiences to experience how love felt in a slower, more deliberate time — waiting for letters, writing poems and meeting in person meant everything back then.”

The film, therefore, doubles as a nostalgic time capsule, reminding viewers of an era when emotions were raw, personal and beautifully unfiltered.

NICHOLAS SAPUTRA RETURNS

Nicholas Saputra, who famously played Rangga in the original AADC films, now takes on a new role as co-producer.

For him, this movie is both a professional milestone and an emotional homecoming.

“This project is pure nostalgia,” Nicholas admitted.

“We wanted to rekindle the spirit of AADC through a new artistic form — the musical. It’s not a remake, but a reinterpretation that celebrates the same emotions in a new language of music and movement.”

The film has already received positive reception in Indonesia, and Nicholas hopes Malaysian audiences will embrace it just as warmly.

“This story has always connected people across borders. I believe ‘Rangga & Cinta’ will touch hearts the same way AADC did, perhaps even more deeply.”

Nicholas also acknowledged the demanding nature of musical performance.

“Singing while acting requires full emotional control. In a musical, every lyric carries meaning. Every melody reveals what the characters can’t say aloud. It’s not just performance, but a confession.”

THAT SAME ETERNAL LOVE

Produced by Miles Films with the support of Primeworks Studios as its Malaysian distributor and marketing partner, ‘Rangga & Cinta’ features an ensemble of promising young stars, including Leya Princy (Cinta), El Putra Sarira (Rangga), Jasmine Nadya (Alya), Kyandra Sembel (Maura), Katyana Mawira (Milly), Daniella Tumiwa (Karmen), Rafi Sudirman (Borne) and Rafly Altama (Mamet).

The story centres on Cinta, a talented and popular student surrounded by loyal friends — Alya, Maura, Milly, and Karmen.

Her life seems picture-perfect until the results of a poetry competition announce Rangga — a quiet, enigmatic student — as the unexpected winner.

Their encounter sets in motion a series of events that will change both their destinies.

Just like the original, ‘Rangga & Cinta’ is not merely about young love, but also about longing, vulnerability and self-discovery — all told through the language of poetry and song.

Two decades later, the magic of AADC lives on — not as a repetition of the past, but as a heartfelt reinvention for a new generation of dreamers.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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