Admitting Doubts, Producer Manoj Punjabi Allocates Billions of Budget for the Series '17 SELAMANYA'

Kapanlagi.com - Today, Thursday (10/3/2022), MD Entertainment released their latest series titled 17 SELAMANYA. The fantasy romance created by Hanung Bramantyo stars the couple Syifa Hadju and Rizky Nazar.

Manoj Punjabi, the producer, stated that initially this project was material for a movie. However, due to the pandemic, it eventually changed to a series format.

"Initially, 17 SELAMANYA was material for a movie. When Hanung brought it to me, I thought it would be like 17 AGAIN or 13 GOING ON 30. But because this is Hanung, the discussion is about history," said Manoj, who was met at MD Place, Setiabudi area, South Jakarta, last Tuesday.

1. Arguing with the Director

©KapanLagi.com/Bayu Herdianto

Manoj Punjabi is not a fan of historical shows. So when Hanung Bramantyo offered a concept, there was an argument.

"When I first talked to Hanung, there was an argument. Not that I'm against it, but because there are teenagers and history, if it's mixed up, it's dangerous. But I stick to my principles, it has to be commercial," said Manoj.

"Don't make it too historical, or else the commercial element for teenagers will be lost. I rarely make historical shows, the only one is HABIBIE & AINUN, the rest are dramas, comedies, horrors," he added.

2. Big Budget Allocation

©KapanLagi.com/Budy Santoso

Finally, Manoj Punjabi agreed to finance 17 SELAMANYA into a series set in Yogyakarta and its surroundings. The allocated funds were revealed to be one of the biggest.

"This is one of the highest budgeted series. The history is interesting, not just informative, but makes us want to know more. There's a commercial element, 15% historical element. So it's a new color for MD. Hopefully, this series can become a new trend," explained Manoj.

3. Trapped in the Body of a 17-Year-Old Girl

©instagram.com/17selamanya

The series 17 FOREVER will start airing on the WeTV streaming service every Wednesday and Thursday starting March 10th. It tells the story of Dawai, an old woman trapped in the body of a 17-year-old girl.

Restless and unable to age, she seeks a way to become human again. This effort leads Dawai to collide with a legend that is thought to be superstition.

4. Syifa Hadju and Rizky Nazar

©instagram.com/17selamanya

On the other hand, this series will be played by many stars, including the couple Syifa Hadju and Rizky Nazar. Although he was once involved in drug problems, many have been waiting for Rizky Nazar's return to the entertainment world. 

In the series, Syifa Hadju plays a girl named Dawai who is still 17 years old. Many believe that Syifa Hadju's beautiful face is suitable for playing a woman who is just growing up.

5. Awkward

©instagram.com/17selamanya

Although happy to be paired in the world of acting, Syifa Hadju apparently felt awkward when acting with her own boyfriend, Rizky Nazar. It's like being shy, right?

"Sometimes I feel awkward, like acting with him is weird. Because we talk every day, it feels stiff and strange. It's difficult, so sometimes it's awkward," she concluded.

(kpl/abs/dwn)