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There is a particular thrill in watching a rally car hurtle towards a blind corner with seemingly no time to react and Terbang understands exactly how to turn that feeling into cinema.
Directed by Chiu Keng Guan, the film is a biopic inspired by the life and career of Malaysian rally driver Karamjit Singh, known as the “Flying Sikh”. Rather than simply tracing his achievements on the track, the film builds its story around Ajeet (Irfan Zaini), a talented driver haunted by a tragic accident that forces him away from the sport. Years later, circumstances bring him back behind the wheel, giving him another chance to confront the competition and the memories he has spent years avoiding.
At two hours and 15 minutes, Terbang gets its runtime about right. There is enough room for the film to establish Ajeet’s history, relationships and personal struggles while still giving the racing sequences plenty of space to breathe. Despite the emotional drama and several supporting storylines, it never feels excessively draggy, which is especially important for a sports biopic that could easily become weighed down by its own backstory.
Real rush
For audiences coming primarily for the racing, Terbang delivers some of its most satisfying moments whenever Ajeet gets back on the track.
The rally sequences have a physicality that makes the cars feel genuinely dangerous rather than simply fast. The camera captures the tight corners, rough terrain and sudden changes in direction in a way that gives the races a sense of unpredictability. There is also a satisfying feeling of speed throughout, particularly when the film places viewers close to the action.
Even if you know little about rally racing, the sequences remain accessible because the tension is not solely about who crosses the finish line first. Every turn carries the weight of Ajeet’s past, making his return to racing as much an emotional battle as a sporting one.
Getting back behind the wheel
That is where Terbang works best as a biopic. Ajeet’s biggest obstacle is not necessarily the other drivers but his own fear of what could happen when he pushes himself too far again.
His return also allows the film to explore the sacrifices behind sporting success. Winning is rarely presented as a simple reward for hard work. There are relationships to maintain, risks to take and losses to carry, and the film is at its most affecting when it acknowledges that achieving something does not necessarily erase what was lost along the way.
The dynamic between Ajeet and Kitt (Jack Tan) adds another layer to his return, particularly as the younger driver brings a different energy to the team. Their relationship gives the film some of its quieter moments, although there are times when the supporting characters could have been explored more deeply.
Still, the emotional core remains clear. Terbang is ultimately interested in what happens when someone who has already experienced loss decides to take another chance on the thing that once defined him.
Shifting the emotional gears
Zizan Razak provides much-needed comic relief as mechanic Imran, whose journey also mirrors the film’s theme of opportunity and second chances.
Imran starts out working as a mechanic in a small workshop before being given the opportunity to join the rally team. His progression gives the character more purpose beyond simply providing laughs, while Imran’s easygoing presence keeps the film from becoming too heavy.
His humour feels relatively natural within the team dynamic, giving the characters room to breathe between the more intense racing and emotional scenes. Rather than turning every moment into a joke, Imran generally knows when to step in and when to let the drama take over.
That balance is important because Terbang deals with grief, guilt and the pressure of competition. Without moments of levity, the film could have become overly solemn.
What does it really mean to win?
The strongest idea running through Terbang is that winning does not always look the way you expect it to.
Ajeet’s journey is not simply about returning to the sport and proving he still has what it takes. It is about confronting the loss that changed his life and deciding whether the pursuit of victory is worth the risks that come with it.
That makes the film more than a conventional underdog sports story. Its victories are tied to personal sacrifices, while its losses continue to shape the people involved.
The film does occasionally lean into melodrama, particularly towards its final stretch, while some supporting subplots feel crowded or underdeveloped. A few performances also lack the conviction of the central cast and some emotional beats feel more heightened than necessary. Still, these shortcomings do little to derail the overall experience.
Terbang strikes a comfortable balance between telling its central story and delivering the spectacle audiences came to see. Its well-judged runtime keeps the film from dragging, while the racing sequences provide plenty of adrenaline and the quieter moments give the story emotional weight.
Ultimately, Terbang is not simply about getting back behind the wheel. It is about facing the past, accepting what has been lost and deciding whether to risk everything for another chance at victory. For racing fans, it has enough horsepower to deliver the thrills. Beneath the noise of the engines, there is also a human story that makes the ride worthwhile.
Director: Chiu Keng Guan
Cast: Irfan Zaini, Jack Tan, Zizan Razak, Namron, Diana Danielle, Qasrina Karim, Shweta Sekhon
E-value: 9/10
Plot: 8/10
Acting: 9/10
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