RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Executive producer, actor, and martial artist Iko Uwais is determined to showcase the cultural depth of Indonesia’s traditional martial art, pencak silat, to a wider audience through his latest action film, Ikatan Darah.

Speaking at a press conference and special screening at XXI Epicentrum, Jakarta, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Iko stressed that the film is not merely about fight sequences but also about the cultural values embedded in silat.

“Pencak silat is incredibly rich. Each school has its own character, and even within one region there can be hundreds of schools,” Iko said.

He noted that silat’s uniqueness lies in its diverse styles, each with distinctive movements under the same martial art umbrella. Through his production house, Uwais Pictures, he reaffirmed his commitment to producing action films rooted in Indonesian culture.

For Ikatan Darah, Iko entrusted the director’s chair to Sidharta Tata, citing admiration for Tata’s bold handling of action scenes in previous projects.

“I saw his courage in the series Pertaruhan. Despite limited shooting time, the action remained strong. I was challenged to see how he would handle a feature film,” Iko explained, adding that shared vision and strong teamwork among cast and crew were key factors in realizing the film as intended.

The film features well‑known actors including Livi Ciananta, Derby Romero, Dimas Anggara, and Teuku Rifnu Wikana. While not all have martial arts backgrounds, Iko praised their dedication during training, which allowed them to deliver silat choreography tailored to their characters.

“It’s not about who’s the most skilled in martial arts, but about the willingness and training process,” he said.

Ikatan Darah tells the story of Mega, a former pencak silat athlete who returns to the ring after his brother, Bilal, becomes entangled in debt and murder. The film is set to premiere in cinemas across Indonesia on April 30, 2026. (Annaila Azzahra/Lasti Martina)