BADMINTON
Liek Hou honoured to be featured in Astro Shaw biopic
Cheah Liek Hou was honoured to be featured in a biopic directed by the renowned Adrian Teh.
Cheah made history not only for Malaysia but also for para-badminton when he beat long-time rival Dheva Anrimushti in the Tokyo Paralympics men’s singles SU5 (upper body disability) final in 2021 to claim the maiden para-badminton gold at the Paralympics.
His success inspired Gold, the Astro Shaw biopic set to hit local silver screens next year.
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“I am grateful and touched that my story will be produced by one of the best film directors in the country. Initially I was worried how the movie would do and if it would garner a good reception.
“But Adrian assured me that he and his team will do their best. Astro coming on board is the biggest surprise for me. With Astro on board, I am confident this movie can become an inspiration to many when it is released,” Cheah told Stadium Astro.
The movie already wrapped up a month-long pre-production in April after being shot at several locations around Klang Valley.
Gold features prominent local actors such as Jack Tan who plays Cheah, and Farid Kamil as Cheah’s coach Rashid Sidek for the movie.
Teh said he was inspired to make this movie after seeing Cheah crown his gold medal around Rashid's neck after winning in Tokyo.
The director, who amassed several box office hits such as PASKAL: The Movie, WIRA and Hungry Ghost Ritual, said the casting also had to be spot on.
“Jack Tan is a suitable actor for this role, as he is experienced. To play Cheah's character, Jack had to undergo three months of training and learn to play with his left hand. As for Farid Kamil, we chose him because he has Rashid’s look and aura.
“We know they can act well despite not being professional shuttlers,” Teh told Harian Metro.
Gold is set to become the second Malaysian badminton film after Lee Chong Wei: Rise of the Legend in 2018.
That movie, which featured Lee’s amazing comeback against Lin Dan to win the 2006 Malaysia Open, did well to peak at number three in Malaysian cinemas.
It was also well received in other markets including China.
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