The Indonesian comedy film AIU-EO: Macam Betool Aja! is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Directed by Etiene Caesar, the film brings a fresh comedic flavor to the screen, driven by a strong lineup of filmmakers and actors from Medan. Names such as Oki Rengga, Michelle Ziudith, and Adi Sudirja play a major role in bringing the city’s distinctive character to life.
Beyond its humor, the film is filled with compelling behind-the-scenes stories—ranging from actors stepping far outside their comfort zones to firsthand experiences of adapting to Medan’s famously bold and expressive way of speaking.
Adi Sudirja: Breaking Comfort Zones Through an Antagonist Role
In this film, Adi Sudirja takes on the role of Udin, an antagonist character that marks a significant departure from his usual public persona. Widely known as a content creator and social media personality through his comedic “Putra the Chicken” character, Adi admits this role challenged him in new and unexpected ways.
Speaking at a press conference, Adi revealed that acting has long been part of his life.
“Before creating content and going viral with Putra, I had already been involved in theater—performing in dramas and stage productions since elementary school. Back in 2007, I even joined casting calls, but at that time, the industry favored actors with leading-man looks,” he said jokingly.
He added that the Indonesian film industry has since evolved, becoming more inclusive and diverse. Encouraged by that change, Adi began creating content in 2023.
“Alhamdulillah, within three months my content went viral. Not long after, I was contacted by Kokoh, the executive producer, and offered the role of Udin. It felt like a dream I had buried long ago suddenly came back to life,” he shared.
To build his antagonist character, Adi drew inspiration from legendary actor Tio Pakusadewo.
“I’m a huge fan of him. He became my role model for portraying Udin,” Adi explained.
Building Chemistry with Michelle Ziudith
Adi also spoke highly of his on-screen chemistry with Michelle Ziudith. According to him, working together felt natural and comfortable from the start.
“Michelle is incredibly kind. She actually reached out to me first—inviting me to eat, hang out, and read the script together. It made everything feel relaxed and fun,” he said.
Andri Mashadi and His First Encounter with Medan’s Intense Dialect
The strong presence of Medan-born actors and crew members left a deep impression on Andri Mashadi. From his very first meeting, he sensed he was stepping into unfamiliar territory.
“When I first joined the project and attended a meeting, I thought, ‘Wow, there’s not a single Javanese face here,’” Andri joked during an interview in Setiabudi, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (January 28, 2026).
The entire filming process took place in Medan, where Andri experienced a noticeable cultural difference—especially in terms of speech patterns and intonation.
“The strongest impression for me was that I couldn’t tell whether people were angry or not,” he recalled.
According to Andri, Medan locals tend to speak with high intensity, which initially led to misunderstandings on set.
“The tone is always intense. Someone would say, ‘Come here! This is your blocking!’ and I’d think, ‘Wait, are they mad at me?’” he said while imitating the Medan accent, drawing laughter.
Fully Immersed in Medan Dialect
To prepare for his role, Andri received direct support from Oki Rengga and Lolox, who invited him to immerse himself in Medan’s stand-up comedy scene.
“I clearly remember the day before filming started—Oki and Lolox took me to a stand-up comedy event in Medan. It was huge,” he said.
The goal was to help Andri absorb the local dialect authentically. He ended up spending an entire day surrounded by Medan comedians.
“I was basically ‘stuffed’ with Medan slang and dialect from morning to night,” Andri concluded.
Film Synopsis and Release Date
AIU-EO: Macam Betool Aja! follows the story of three close friends who run an Event Organizer (EO) business and land a major job organizing the wedding of a wealthy businessman. However, things quickly spiral into chaos when they become entangled in a mission to sabotage the wedding itself.
The film is scheduled for nationwide release across Indonesian theaters on February 12, 2026. Packed with signature Medan humor, strong friendships, and comedic chaos, AIU-EO: Macam Betool Aja! promises to deliver laughter while offering an authentic glimpse into the soul of Medan.
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