LaLa Raya MV meant as social satire, not mockery, says director
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 — The director of the LaLa Raya music video, Mohd Hisham Saleh, has responded to online debate surrounding the production, saying the work was intended as a satirical reflection of society rather than an attempt to offend any group.
The video, featuring singer and influencer Agy, sparked widespread discussion after its release, with some viewers interpreting certain scenes as containing symbolic references, including comparisons to The Last Supper.
However, Hisham clarified that the creative direction was never meant to provoke or insult, but instead to present commentary on contemporary social behaviour.
He said the music video was designed to explore how modern society has become increasingly influenced by social media personalities, sometimes elevating them to positions of significant influence.
“This is probably one of my most talked-about works. My intention was not to mock anyone, but to portray how deeply social media culture has shaped our lives,” he said in a Threads post.
He explained that satire was chosen as the storytelling approach because it allows complex ideas to be conveyed symbolically while encouraging audiences to reflect on deeper meanings.
According to him, such creative techniques are rarely used in local festive music videos, which typically emphasise positive and sentimental themes associated with Hari Raya.
At the same time, Hisham apologised to anyone who may have felt uncomfortable with the content, acknowledging that artistic interpretations can vary widely.
He said some visual elements in the video were intended to represent the growing presence of religious figures on digital platforms and how audiences sometimes accept information without critical evaluation.
He also highlighted society’s increasing fixation on online popularity, where personal success is often measured by metrics such as views, likes, and followers.
Hisham noted that social media has transformed how people perceive relationships and influence.
In addition, the video touches on how some individuals prioritise outward appearances and material preparations during Hari Raya, while overlooking the deeper spiritual meaning of the celebration.
He stressed that the purpose of the video was to encourage reflection rather than to criticise harshly.
As a filmmaker, Hisham said he hopes the music video will inspire meaningful conversations about the realities of modern life and the evolving nature of cultural celebrations.
-wilayah.com.my
