JAKARTA, November 11, 2026 — Stepping into the world of action filmmaking has brought an exciting new challenge for veteran actor Lukman Sardi. In Serangan Balik, the latest Indonesian action film directed by Sidharta Tata, Lukman takes on the role of Eyang Hari, a former soldier with exceptional combat skills who must fight to protect his family.
But becoming an action hero was no easy task. From physically demanding fight sequences to intensive training, the film pushed its cast to explore new territory, both physically and emotionally.
During a press conference at Gandaria City XXI, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (November 11), Lukman opened up about his experience portraying Eyang Hari, while his co-star Callista Arum revealed the demanding preparation she underwent to bring her character, Putri, to life.
With its combination of intense action, family drama, and carefully choreographed fight sequences, Serangan Balik promises an action experience with plenty of heart.
Lukman Sardi Takes on His First Full-Scale Leading Action Role
Although Lukman Sardi is no stranger to Indonesian cinema, Serangan Balik marks a significant milestone in his acting career. For the first time, he takes on a leading role in a full-fledged action film, requiring him to handle a much greater share of the physical action than in his previous projects.
The actor admitted that he felt both excited and nervous when he accepted the role, particularly because of the physical demands involved.
“This is my first time doing an action film, a full-action movie, and taking on the leading role in one. That’s something I’ve never done before,” Lukman said during the press conference.
While he had previously appeared in action-oriented productions, he explained that this experience was considerably different. As the film’s central character, he had to prepare for numerous fight scenes while maintaining the emotional depth required of Eyang Hari.
His character is a former soldier whose combat abilities become essential when his family finds itself in danger. The role required Lukman to balance the physical intensity of an experienced fighter with the emotional vulnerability of a grandfather.
An Action Film with a Heartfelt Family Story
Beyond its explosive fights and thrilling confrontations, Serangan Balik places family relationships at the center of its narrative.
The story follows Eyang Hari as he tries to protect his two grandchildren, Putri (Callista Arum) and Dimas (Sulthan Hamonangan), when a group of criminals launches an attack on their home in a remote village.
As danger closes in, the three must learn to trust one another and work together to survive.
Lukman describes the film as “action with heart,” emphasizing that its emotional core lies in the evolving relationship between a grandfather and his grandchildren.
Initially, their relationship is somewhat awkward, reflecting the emotional distance between different generations. However, when they are forced to face a dangerous situation together, their bond begins to grow stronger.
This combination of family drama and action gives the film an additional emotional dimension, ensuring that the story is about more than simply defeating the villains.
Months of Preparation for a High-Intensity Action Production
Director Sidharta Tata revealed that the production team approached the film’s action sequences with extensive preparation and technical planning.
One of the most challenging sequences was a major car crash scene, which required approximately five months of preparation, from initial storyboarding to technical rehearsals. The actual filming of the sequence took eight days.
Produced by Edwin Nazir and Kimo Stamboel, the film features a variety of demanding action elements, including martial arts choreography, firearm sequences, and high-speed car chases.
The production team was committed to creating convincing action scenes while ensuring that every movement supported the storytelling.
Lukman also praised the fight choreography team for helping actors who were relatively new to action filmmaking understand the movements and techniques required for their roles.
For him, the challenge was not simply about executing the choreography correctly, but also about making sure the action never overshadowed the emotions behind the characters.
Callista Arum Goes Through Military Boot Camp Without a Phone Signal
Meanwhile, Callista Arum experienced her own demanding journey while preparing to play Putri, Eyang Hari’s granddaughter.
As this is her first action film, Callista had to undergo extensive preparation, beginning with script readings and character-development sessions before moving on to physical and action training.
She revealed that the overall character preparation took approximately four months, while the specific action training lasted around three months.
“Preparing for the character of Putri took quite a long time—actually, a very long time. It was around four months, including the script readings and all the workshops. The action preparation itself took approximately three months,” Callista explained during a meeting in Gandaria, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (November 11).
One of the most memorable parts of the process was an intensive three-day training camp held at a military boot camp facility.
Callista and the other cast members were taken to a secluded location where they had to focus entirely on their training. Interestingly, they had to go through the experience without access to mobile phone signals.
“We had an intensive training session where all the actors were taken to a secluded area, which was actually a military boot camp facility. We trained intensively there for three days without any signal,” she revealed.
The experience was designed to create an atmosphere similar to actual military training, allowing the cast to concentrate fully on the physical exercises and instructions.
“It really felt like we were participating in an actual military training program. The sessions were extremely serious, and everyone had to stay focused,” she added.
Discovering a New Passion for Action Films
Despite the physically exhausting preparation, Callista said the experience was made easier by the support and guidance of the production team.
She expressed her appreciation for the Uwais team, director Sidharta Tata, and the collaborative environment created throughout the production.
Learning action choreography was another major revelation for the actress. She discovered that every fight sequence required precise movements, careful memorization, and repeated practice to ensure that everything looked convincing on screen.
However, what initially seemed intimidating eventually became one of the most enjoyable aspects of the project.
“What surprised me was just how much fun making an action film could be. I really enjoyed working on this movie, even with the many action scenes, long shooting days, and unpredictable weather conditions. Somehow, everything came together really well, and we had such a great time,” Callista shared.
Her experience with Serangan Balik has even sparked a newfound enthusiasm for action filmmaking, opening the door to a different side of her acting career.
Get Ready for an Action-Packed Family Battle
With Lukman Sardi stepping into a physically demanding new role and Callista Arum embracing the challenges of her first action production, Serangan Balik brings together an exciting cast whose dedication extends far beyond the camera.
Also starring Derby Romero, Donny Alamsyah, and Sulthan Hamonangan, the film combines intense combat sequences, carefully planned stunts, and an emotional story about family, trust, and protecting the people who matter most.
The extensive preparation behind the scenes reflects the filmmakers’ ambition to deliver an action experience that feels both authentic and emotionally engaging.
** Serangan Balik premieres globally on November 12, 2026, exclusively on Netflix.**
Get ready to see a grandfather fight like a soldier when everything he loves is at stake.
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