Jakarta, September 25, 2025 — Nicholas Saputra struggles to rise after becoming the sole survivor of Jakarta Airways 79, a plane disaster that claimed 132 lives, in the air disaster drama Tukar Takdir. The film will premiere on October 2, 2025, in cinemas across Indonesia, marking the latest collaboration between Starvision and Cinesurya, in partnership with Legacy Pictures.
Tukar Takdir brings a new genre to Indonesian cinema by exploring an air disaster drama. Adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name by Valiant Budi, the film is written and directed by Mouly Surya, with producers Chand Parwez Servia and Rama Adi.
Tukar Takdir follows the emotional journey of its three main characters—Nicholas Saputra, Marsha Timothy, and Adhisty Zara—as they come to terms with fate. All three are connected by a single tragedy: a plane crash.
Nicholas Saputra plays Rawa, an IT programmer in the field of taxation. Due to his job, he often travels by plane, typically choosing low-cost carriers (LCC) for his trips.
Marsha Timothy plays Dita, a strong-willed notary who has been married for 15 years to her high school friend, Raldi (played by Teddy Syach). Her heart shatters when she learns her husband died in the crash of Jakarta Airways 79.
Their paths cross during the investigation into the crash. Dita is angry at Rawa—why did he survive, and not her husband? Her anger intensifies when she learns that Rawa and Raldi had swapped seats, ultimately swapping fates.
Meanwhile, Rawa also meets Zahra (Adhisty Zara), the daughter of the pilot of Jakarta Airways 79. Rawa, Dita, and Zahra are all connected by the disaster in the skies and must each find their own way to come to terms with the fate that has befallen them. Along the way, Zahra grows to feel sympathy and empathy toward Rawa. Rawa, in turn, tries to comfort Dita and supports her in seeking accountability from the airline.
Writer-director Mouly Surya masterfully crafts tension between characters in the chaos following the tragedy. There is melancholy, but also anger. There is disaster, but also drama. Everything is delivered with precision—from the staging, cinematography, editing, visual effects, to the musical score—creating a cohesive whole that will take viewers on an emotional journey with the three main characters. The film is further enriched by a dynamic supporting cast including Meriam Bellina, Marcella Zalianty, Teddy Syach, Roy Sungkono, Ariyo Wahab, Revaldo, Hannah Al Rashid, Ayez Kassar, Devi Permatasari, Tora Sudiro, Ringgo Agus Rahman, Bagus Ade Saputra, and more.
“This is a genre that our filmmakers have rarely explored, and it offers a fresh and new experience for Indonesian cinema. This film not only addresses a tragedy involving one of the safest modes of transportation that the public relies on today, but also explores how its characters come to terms with fate,” said Tukar Takdir producer Chand Parwez Servia.
Bringing this creative vision to life came with many challenges. However, with thorough research and precise execution across all areas of production, Tukar Takdir promises to deliver a unique cinematic experience.
“We aimed to create the most convincing visuals possible to build a chaotic atmosphere and bring audiences into the heart of the disaster alongside Rawa and the other passengers. At the same time, we also focused on creating realistic visuals and a melancholic tone to drive the emotional connections between Rawa and the other characters—a journey of healing both physical and emotional wounds,” added producer Rama Adi.
Director Mouly Surya revealed that prior to making Tukar Takdir, she had always been interested in works discussing air crash investigations. In this film, Mouly blends the investigation of the crash with a deeply emotional drama that explores each character’s pain and recovery.
“Through Tukar Takdir, I explore a form I’ve never delved into before—how to portray a plane disaster on screen. This film required a high level of technical maturity to deliver the best results. Beyond the investigation and the disaster itself, Tukar Takdir is about coming to terms with pain, grief, loss, and destiny,” said Mouly Surya.
In this film, Nicholas Saputra intentionally shaped his character Rawa with a heavier physique. For him, Tukar Takdir is a special project, especially because of the opportunity to act alongside such an exceptional cast, which made filming enjoyable even with the intense and emotional scenes.
“For me, Tukar Takdir is also a way to reflect on how airplanes—statistically the safest mode of transportation—still have areas for improvement in their systems, so passengers can feel safe. The disaster depicted in the film can serve as a lesson, including how the characters come to terms with their grief and fate,” said Nicholas Saputra.
“Playing a wife whose husband dies in a plane disaster left a deep impact on Dita, the character I portrayed. But Dita chooses to transform her grief into a journey that leads her to connect with other victims’ families, re-evaluate life, and discover what she can do moving forward,” shared Marsha Timothy.
Meanwhile, Adhisty Zara, who plays Zahra, describes her character as layered and emotionally complex.
“As the daughter of the pilot of Jakarta Airways 79 who died in the crash, Zahra carries the emotional burden of her mother, who is consumed by grief. Zahra chooses to hide her sorrow and longing behind a smile. She desperately needs a father figure, and Rawa becomes the person who fills that void,” said Adhisty Zara.
Watch the air disaster drama Tukar Takdir starting October 2, 2025. Follow the latest updates on the film through Instagram @tukartakdirfilm, @starvisionplus, @cinesurya, and TikTok @StarvisionMovie.
Synopsis
Jakarta Airways Flight 79 goes missing. When it’s found, RAWA (Nicholas Saputra) is the only surviving passenger, returning with wounds and trauma. In addition to being a witness in the investigation of the crash, Rawa also becomes the emotional anchor for ZAHRA (Adhisty Zara), the only daughter of the pilot, and DITA (Marsha Timothy), the wife of the passenger who had swapped seats with him.
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