Roman King Admits Burden of Playing Young Zafran in 5 Cm Prequel, Soraya Films Prepares Revolusi Hati

JAKARTA — Young actor Roman King has officially been entrusted with playing the teenage version of Zafran in the film 5 Cm Revolusi Hati, a prequel to the legendary title 5 Cm. At a press conference in the Kebon Sirih area of Central Jakarta on Tuesday (22/9/2026), Roman said the role carried its own pressure because Zafran had previously been identified with Herjunot Ali's performance.

“There is a bit of pressure because this character has been attached to the first film,” Roman said. Nevertheless, he stressed that the approach taken in this prequel is very different from the previous version. “The feel and vibes are really different,” he added with a laugh.

Roman admitted he had not communicated directly with Herjunot Ali. However, he received direction from producer Sunil Soraya not to get trapped imitating his senior's performance. “Mr. Sunil said, this is a prequel, so find your own version of Zafran,” Roman recalled.

Producer Sunil Soraya explained that the prequel will explore Zafran's life in junior high school, including the dynamics of friendship and the events that shaped his character. “This is the story of their last year of junior high, what Zafran does, how his relationship with his best friends unfolds, and what happens afterward,” Sunil said.

The decision to present a prequel is not without reason. The film 5 Cm, released in 2012, was a major success, not only commercially but also as a pop culture phenomenon. The novel by Donny Dhirgantoro has been adapted for the big screen and drew millions of viewers. That success has made Soraya Intercine Films optimistic about welcoming a broader market, especially younger generations who may not have seen the original version.

For the Indonesian film industry, this move marks an increasingly common trend of prequels and spin-offs. In recent years, major production houses have begun eyeing similar approaches to extend the life cycle of franchises. If successful, 5 Cm Revolusi Hati could pave the way for other derivative stories, while also strengthening the national film ecosystem that is growing in the post-pandemic period.

From the audience's perspective, Roman King's presence as the young Zafran offers a new perspective. Rather than simply repeating, the film has the potential to explore teenage emotions and conflicts that are more relevant to today's viewers. However, its biggest challenge is meeting the expectations of loyal fans who already have a strong image of Zafran in the Herjunot Ali version.

As of this news being published, there is no official information regarding the exact release date. However, based on Soraya Intercine Films' release patterns, the film will most likely grace cinema screens during the year-end holidays, competing with a number of other big titles. The question is, will 5 Cm Revolusi Hati be able to repeat the magic of eight years ago, or will it sink in the shadow of its predecessor?