Imajinari Unveils Three-Picture Slate Including Debut Action Film, ‘Bandits Of Batavia’
Agak Laen 2 producer Imajinari unveiled a three-picture slate today at JAFF Market, including the company’s first action film, Bandits Of Batavia, created by Bryan Valenza, a comic book artist who has previously worked with Marvel.
Directed by Imajinari’s Ernest Prakasa, the project is described as a supernatural action tale inspired by Betawi folklore and martial arts. Set in the 1870s during Dutch colonial rule, Valenza explained that the story is “60% fantasy and 40% historically accurate”.
Prakasa said he was drawn to the project because, despite its historical setting, the sociopolitical themes still feel relevant today. He added that he has long wanted to direct an action film since his debut feature Ngenest, and he immediately connected with the story when the team discovered it at the 2024 JAFF Market. The project is now in early development.
Imajinari previously produced horror comedy Agak Laen, which sold more than 9 million tickets in 2024. The sequel to the film, Agak Laen: Mystery Of The Nursing Home, was released on November 27, 2025, and has already surpassed 2 million ticket sales.
Prakasa and Imajinari’s Dipa Andika also announced Batak musical Going Back Home (Pulang Kampung), written and directed by Benedion Rajaguguk, whose 2022 drama Missing Home (Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap) sold more than 2.8 million tickets and was selected as Indonesia’s official entry for the Oscars.
Benedion said the idea for his new film came after witnessing audiences sing along to emotional Batak songs during screenings of Missing Home, which was filmed in the Batak-speaking region of Sumatra. He realised that if the songs were familiar, audiences could join in – even in the theatre.
While the songs will be in Batak, the dialogue will be in Indonesian with a Batak accent to keep it accessible for mass audiences. The film also incorporates a karaoke-style element: Batak lyrics will appear on screen as the songs play.
While the premise remains under wraps, the film will be set on Samosir Island, one of the cultural landmarks of North Sumatra.
Mira Lesmana, the producer behind musical hits Rangga & Cinta and Sherina’s Adventure, is attached as one of the collaborators. The film is expected to enter production and be released in 2026.
The third new film on Imajinari’s slate is concert film Operasi Pesta Pora, directed by Edy Khemod and starring Iqbaal Ramadhan (Dilan 1990), who also serves as one of the producers, alongside Kriosto Immanuel (Shadow Strays), Zulfa Maharani (Crocodile Tears) and Kawai Labiba (1 Brother 7 Siblings).
A heist film about concert thieves, Operasi Pesta Pora has completed production, with 15% of the film shot during the actual Pesta Pora music festival, which drew 30,000 attendees daily.
Khemod noted that although the film may appear to be about concerts, it ultimately explores issues of systemic poverty. The film marks the first collaboration between Imajinari, Boss Creator and Anginsegar, bridging the film and music industries. It is slated for release in 2026.
