The fifth instalment of the Broken Promises movie franchise will premiere next week as Women’s Month comes to a close.

The film, written, directed, and produced by Kumaran Naidu, will premiere on August 29 at the Suncoast Casino. Tickets for the premiere are in high demand, with two cinemas already sold out and a third still available. Broken Promises Five is set to hit 18 cinemas across the country, from Pietermaritzburg to Johannesburg, on September 6.

In a gesture of gratitude towards the community that has supported the franchise, Naidu made the decision to include everyone who auditioned for the movie.

This inclusive approach is one of the many reasons why Broken Promises continues to resonate with audiences, particularly in Naidu's hometown of Pietermaritzburg, where several residents feature in the film.

The storyline of Broken Promises Five tackles the harrowing issue of gender-based violence, a topic that remains painfully relevant in South Africa.

"I was contacted by a friend on social media who had a similar experience," Naidu shared. "She was able to learn from it but also found it difficult to move on considering her age—but age should never be an issue. I have highlighted in the movie that gender-based violence is not only experienced by women but also by men,” said Naidu.

This latest instalment in the Broken Promises series marks a significant change from its humble beginnings. The first film, released in 2003, captured the struggles of a newly-wed daughter-in-law facing the wrath of an over-possessive mother-in-law. It quickly became a household name, resonating with audiences across South Africa. The relatable storylines and endearing characters have cultivated a loyal fan base that has followed the franchise's journey over the years.

Shot over just eleven days in March, Broken Promises Five features a massive cast of 270 new members, with filming taking place in various locations including Durban, Chatsworth, Tongaat, and Scottburgh. Naidu’s passion for filmmaking runs in his blood—his father, the late Daya Naidu, opened the first video store in Chatsworth in 1978, sparking Kumaran's early interest in the film industry.

Reflecting on his journey, Naidu recalls the challenges he faced in the early nineties when opportunities in filmmaking were scarce. He temporarily set aside his dream of working on a film set and took up a conventional nine-to-five job. However, the advent of digital technology in the early 2000s made filmmaking more accessible, prompting Naidu to revisit his passion. This led to the creation of the first Broken Promises movie in 2003.

Since those early days, Naidu has seen significant advancements in the filmmaking process.

“A lot has changed since then. I used one home video camera, and once the battery was low, it meant that filming had to stop and we could only continue once it was charged again. Now I have two cameras, and there are no issues with battery life. When I started, it was a team effort—we made our own light boxes and used brooms to extend the mic, which has since changed drastically," he reflected.

Garuda Motion Pictures, Naidu's production company, handled the full production of Broken Promises Five. In 2023, auditions attracted over 500 hopefuls from as far as Cape Town, eager to be part of this iconic franchise.

Kumaran Naidu, the director of the Broken Promises movie Picture: Supplied

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