KUALA LUMPUR — Producers of the new biopic about Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad may have the approval of the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Department, but they also want to get his family members and other real-life characters to meet with the actors, the film's co-director Mohamad Hatta Azad Khan said.

Mr Hatta said the producers are currently planning a gathering between the cast and those they were be playing, including Ms Marina Mahathir, who recently tweeted that the family have not endorsed the film.

“I understand the producers are trying to arrange a gathering, inviting Marina and all who are involved in the story," he said.

“The actors are playing the roles of people who are still alive and need some guidance. As co-director, I approve,” Mr Hatta told The Malaysian Insight.

Dr Mahathir’s daughter recently tweeted that the family did not endorse the biopic.

“My family would rather nobody made any films, biopics, musicals, cartoons, whatever about us, because it’s just embarrassing. But if you have to, please don’t make us watch them," she said.

Mr Hatta said the film’s producers contacted Dr Siti Hasmah Ismail Mohd Ali about the film and also obtained approval for the script from the prime minister’s office.

Shooting for the film is slated to begin on Dec 15.

The film will look at the 15 years of Dr Mahathir’s life after his retirement as prime minister in 2003, until the time he became prime minister again after Pakatan Harapan (PH) won the 14th general election in 2018.

It will also look at the roles of key familial and political personalities on the same journey leading to PH’s victory.

This will include figures such as Ms Marina, as well as People's Justice Party (PKR) president Anwar Ibrahim and daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is a Member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh.

Mr Hatta said he hoped the real-life characters would lend support and help the actors.

“If I were to play the role of Anwar Ibrahim, for example, I would appreciate having some guidance from him and the chance to observe him,”  he said.

The opening of the film will begin with Dr Mahathir handing over the country’s administration to former Malaysian prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Mr Hatta said.

It will also examine dark periods on the political journey, such as a meeting between Dr Mahathir and Mr Anwar in court, and the latter’s medical treatment while in prison.

“All this is part of the PH story. To me, there is no issue that is too sensitive, as we are not out to criticise or judge anyone in this film," Mr Hatta said.

"The focus is just on Dr Mahathir and those around him, avoiding the Najib Razak scandals completely," he added.

The biopic, titled "Mahathir: The Journey", is one of two films about Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister in pre-production, with the other being "Hasmah: Bila Deh Bertemu Det".

They follow on the heels of the popular documentary, M for Malaysia, by Ms Ineza Rousille and Ms Dian Lee.

"Hasmah" will be about Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah’s love story and is scheduled for release at the end of next year. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT