"What's Stew-ing?" with Abid Hussain

Hasan Abdul Muttalib has spent six decades in Malaysian cinema as an animator, filmmaker, educator and critic. At 80, he sits down with us for a long and honest conversation about where the industry went wrong and what it would take to fix it. We talk about the difference between making a film and making a movie, what film grammar and film language really mean, and why he believes most local direc...

Shamyl Othman left Malaysia at 19 to study film in Melbourne, came home to an industry full of problems nobody warned him about, and still chose to make horror. His student short film Father won the Gold Award at the Malaysian Video Awards and screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Bangkok International Film Festival. Years later he took on a harder assignment. His father, O...

In 1983, a 21-year-old delivered a single line in a Malaysian film called Mekanik. "White people, black people, brown people, blue people, aren't we all Malaysians?" Four decades later that line is still quoted in advertisements, in social commentary, and in arguments about what this country is and what it still refuses to become. The actress who said it is Susan Lankester. She is 64...

In February 2026, Datuk Ashwad Ismail walked through the gates of Angkasapuri as the youngest Director General in RTM's history. He was forty-one. He had spent the previous nineteen years at Astro Awani, joining the channel at its founding in 2007, rising to Editor-in-Chief, and running the newsroom through some of the most turbulent years in Malaysian political history. In 2010, he was aboard...

Here is a number that stays with you: 117,000. That is how many Indonesians share a single cinema screen. One country, 280 million people, 17,000 islands, more than 700 languages. And yet Indonesian films took 65% of their national box office in 2024. By 2025 that share had climbed to 78%. This is not a market in decline. It is a market that has barely begun. One man has been building for it since...

For 30 years, Dato' Adflin Shauki made Malaysia laugh. Today he sits in three of the rooms where our film industry is actually decided. He is chairman of FDAM, the Film Directors Association of Malaysia. He is chairman of the Skim Wajib Tayang committee, the body that decides which local films get guaranteed screen time. And in 2025 he won his PKR division in Setiawangsa, placing him inside th...

Anurag Kashyap — the filmmaker behind Gangs of Wasseypur, Dev D, Black Friday and Kennedy — sits down with Abid Hussain for his first-ever podcast recorded in Malaysia, and the Season 3 premiere of What's Stewing. Recorded at the Creative Stew office in Kuala Lumpur — where Anurag was in town as a jury member at MIFFEST, the Malaysian International Film Festival — this is an unusually honest c...

In this exclusive podcast episode, host Abid Hussain sits down with Hafiz Rashid the lensman behind the visually stunning film, Memori discussing what goes behind the eyes which has captured such stunning visuals. Discover how Memori was brought to life, from emotional performances to creative challenges on set and why it continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Don’t forget to like, commen...

Memori has emerged as one of the most awarded and internationally acclaimed Malaysian films of 2025, making waves across global film festivals. In this exclusive podcast episode, host Abid Hussain sits down with the three lead actors of Memori to share untold stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and personal experiences from the making of this unforgettable film. Discover how Memori was brought to...

Dato Hans Isaac, the newly appointed Chairman of FINAS Malaysia (National Film Development Corporation Malaysia), chose hashtag WhatsStewing for his first podcast interview since taking office a few months ago. Join us this Thursday for an exclusive, no-holds-barred conversation as Dato Hans unveils his ambitious vision for the Malaysian creative industry over the next two years. Subscribe to our...

Malaysian International Film Festival (MifFest) is in it's 8th year this year and it was only because of a visionary like Ms. Joanne Goh. Catch her in a very candid conversation about films, film production and distribution and MIfFest in this episode of What's Stew-ing?

"As a documentary film producer, Nurashikin Zaharduddin and her company, Walkabout Asia, have shared incredible stories to date. But how feasible is it to create compelling, factual content in today's media landscape? That's a big question. Join Shikin for an inspiring conversation about the future of factual storytelling in this episode of What's Stew-ing?"

Welcome to a brand new episode of What's Stew-ing ! In this episode, we sit down with Michael Simon, a prominent television show creator and producer, known for his innovative contributions to the Malaysian entertainment industry with gems like Raja Lawak and Maharaja Lawak. With years of experience Michael shares his journey, insights, and the challenges he faced in the evolving landscape of...

In this exciting episode of What's Stewing, we sit down with the talented Nini Marini, an incredible multi disciplinary artist who has worked years in television content and stunning art in the last few decades. Join us as we dive deep into her artistic journey, creative process, and the inspiration behind her stunning works.

In this episode, we sit down with Madam Hanizah Hamzah, the Head of TV at the Asia-Pacific Broadcast Union (ABU), to explore the evolving landscape of broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1964, ABU is a leading organization that connects public service broadcasters, commercial networks, and media professionals, driving collaboration, innovation, and excellence across the industr...

🌟 *Discover How Santharuban Thurai Sundaram Shapes the Future of Branding in Malaysia!* 🌟 #branding #marketinginsights #EtikaGroup #BrandedContent Step into the world of innovative branding with *Santharuban Thurai Sundaram*, CEO of Etika Group of Companies Malaysia, in this exclusive podcast episode. Renowned for his transformative leadership, Santharuban shares his vision on how brands can cre...

Under the dynamic leadership of CEO Rashid Karim, one of Malaysia’s largest and most iconic studios, Iskandar Malaysia Studios (IMS), is setting new benchmarks for local and international productions. 🚀 Don’t miss the latest episode of “What’s Stew-ing?” where Rashid Karim answers all your burning questions about IMS and shares insights on creating a thriving creative ecosystem for filmmakers. #I...

Dato' Azmir is on a mission to transform the National Film Development Corporation (FINAS), Malaysia after he took on the position of the CEO in October 2023. Watch this engrossing conversation with Dato Azmir with Abid Hussain to understand the blueprint of what FINAS has achieved in the last 2yrs and is planning in the near future. #acreativesteworiginal #createdbycreativestew #acreativestewinit...

Alfie shares his innovative approach to scriptwriting, from developing characters to building plots. In this episode of What's Stew-ing, discover the evolution of the Malaysian television scene and the challenges faced, like censorship and limited budgets. Alfie emphasizes the need for better storytelling training and collaboration. Hear about his literary influences and vision for future proj...

With a career spanning over three decades, Rob Middleton shares insights on transitioning from traditional TV to platforms like Netflix and Disney+. Rob explains the difference between promos and ads, stressing emotional engagement. Learn about adapting to new media, targeting audiences, and maintaining quality. Don't miss Rob's thoughts on branding, industry challenges, and the future of...

Durioo Plus, launched during the pandemic, has grown to 36,000 paying customers by offering quality and culturally relevant content. Sinan Ismail discusses the challenges faced by Islamic content creators, navigating YouTube policy changes, and overcoming a 70% drop in ad revenue. Discover how Durioo Plus raised $2.85 million for global expansion and plans to enter markets like Indonesia and North...

Television and film awards in Asia are a dime a dozen these days, but in the last seven years, one award that has stood above the rest is the Asian Academy Creative Awards. Started by Michael McKay and Fiona McKay, the AACA is one of the most prestigious awards in the entertainment business today. Catch Fiona and Michael talking about how these awards are conducted, why they are a must-have for al...

From thought-provoking dramas to high-octane action films, Adrian Teh's diverse portfolio highlights important societal issues. Discover his journey from a freelancer in 2008 to directing notable films like "Paskal", "The Assitant", "Malbatt- Misi Bakara" and now the latest "Gold" and "Reversi," showcasing his perseverance and adaptability. #Cr...

Dive into the world of media and entertainment law with Anissa Anis, a seasoned legal expert from Malaysia, as she discusses the transition from corporate to media law, emphasizing her passion and dedication to protecting creative rights. Discover the crucial aspects of media law, from safeguarding journalism to balancing societal and individual rights, and learn about the evolving legal landscape...

Madonna said in one of her songs “Music, makes the people come together”, that’s exactly what the new Managing Director of Warner Music Malaysia, Dinesh Ratnam is doing. He is bringing the new Malaysian recording artists, their fans and their presence on social media together. Watch Dinesh in conversation about everything about the music industry in Malaysia in this episode of What’s Stew-ing? #Cr...