Quek Shio Chuan, a director from Penang, Malaysia, has once again made a mark in the Chinese-language film industry with an outstanding achievement. Directed by him and starring Janine Chang in the lead, the crime suspense film 'Nisha' officially premiered in Mainland China on December 31, 2025. In just two short days after its release, the box office fiercely broke through 130 million yuan, not only claiming the national box office championship but also outpacing two Hollywood blockbusters released at the same time during the New Year holiday—'Avatar 3' and family-friendly animation 'Zootopia 2', making it the biggest dark horse in the market and attracting much attention.
As a Penang-born Malaysian director, Quek has been steadily building his influence in the Chinese-language film market in recent years. With works such as 'Sheep Without a Shepherd' and 'Lost in the Stars', he has established a highly recognizable crime-suspense style, adept at tight storytelling, cool-toned visuals, and twist-filled structures, balancing commercial appeal with auteur expression. 'Nisha' continues Quek’s trademark genre strengths, successfully standing out in a fiercely competitive New Year release period.
'Nisha' features Janine Chang as the central character, police officer Fang Zuonan, marking her second collaboration with Quek after 'Lost in the Stars'. Distinct from her previously calm and rational detective roles, Janine Chang pushes herself far beyond her comfort zone this time, taking on numerous action and close-combat scenes. Quek revealed that to match the character profile, Chang underwent high-intensity physical and fight training before filming began, giving the role greater initiative and strength, and showcasing a rarely seen tough and valiant female image in Chinese-language crime films.
The film also boasts a strong cast, assembling Peng Yuchang, Huang Xiaoming, and Xu Jiao. In the gloomy urban atmosphere created by Quek, the story follows an investigation into a serial murder case involving powerful elites, with relationships and psychological battles steadily intensifying the overall dramatic tension.
Starting from Penang and heading towards the international Chinese-language market, Quek Shio Chuan's success is not only a milestone in his personal creative journey but also an important benchmark for Malaysian filmmakers. 'Nisha' leading the box office over 'Avatar 3' and 'Zootopia 2' during the New Year release window demonstrates that Malaysian directors are equally capable of competing head-to-head with Hollywood in the international commercial film arena.