# Bakti

Bakti (English: Faithfullness) is 1950 Singaporean Malay-language black-and-white drama film directed and written by L. Krishnan [ms] and produced by Run Run Shaw. It was adapted by S. Ramanathan from Les Misérables. Music and songs were composed by Osman Ahmad. It starred P. Ramlee in his first leading role, Kasma Booty, S. Roomai Noor [ms], and Siput Sarawak [ms]. The film launched Ramlee's career and imposed him as a leading figure in the Malay film industry for the following 20 years.

## Plot

A wealthy man, Ibrahim, adopts an impoverished orphan, Nasir. Ibrahim’s spoilt biological son Hassan objects, while the latter's daughter Sa’adiyah allies herself with the newcomer. After marrying a wife consumed by greed, Hassan turns to thieving to support their lifestyle. He is caught and imprisoned; upon his release, he steals from his adopted brother Nasir. However, Nasir saves him from the arm of the law by informing the police that the stolen items are actually gifts he planned to give Hassan. Hassan is thus released and comes to realise Nasir’s noble heart and kind intentions.

## Cast

* P. Ramlee as Nasir
* Kasma Booty as Sa'adiyah
* S. Roomai Noor [ms] as Hassan
* Siput Sarawak [ms] as Edah
* Yusof Banjar [ms] as Orang Kaya Ibrahim
* Siti Zainab

## Production

Bakti was directed and written by L. Krishnan in his directorial debut, and was produced by Run Run Shaw for Shaw Brothers Studio and Malay Film Productions. It was adapted from Les Misérables with an original script by S. Ramanathan. The film starred P. Ramlee, Kasma Booty, S. Roomai Noor [ms], and Siput Sarawak [ms] in a leading role. It featured Yusof Banjar and Siti Zainab in a supporting role. The music and songs in the films, such as "Hidup Berdua", "Merpati Dua Sejoli", "Hidup Melarat", "Taman Puspawarna", "Sate", and "Sedang Bergaya" were composed and written by Osman Ahmad, who then released it into an album.
Ramlee was cast by Krishnan in a leading role as Nasir after the latter saw the first's performance as a singing voice and bit parts in previous films. In the films, he sung five songs along with Nona Asiah and Momo Latiff. Kasma Booty was initially reluctant to act alongside Ramlee who was then an unknown. However, after Krishnan convinced her, she agreed and appreciated how successful the film was because of Ramlee.

## Release and reception

Bakti was released on 1 April 1950 and remained at one of Shaw’s "Rex" cinemas until 14 April. The film later was screened in other cinemas in Malaysia, such as Lido in Penang, in May 1950, and the Atlantic in Johor Bahru between June and July in the same year. It received a positive response, and was described as “skilfully directed and beautifully photographed”. It was also praised for its clear storyline, to the point that some commentators indicated that even those who could not understand Malay did not have trouble following the plot. The performance of the experienced and new comer child actors were also highly praised.
After this film, P. Ramlee became a prominent figure in Malay film industry, while Shaw Brothers Studio hired more Indian directors with B. S. Rajhans being the most influential figure in the early development of Malay films.

## Legacy and status

P. Ramlee gave his character's name to his son, Nasir P. Ramlee.
With no known surviving copy, Bakti is now considered a lost film.