Dilan ITB 1997 Movie Trailer Sparks Controversy Over Soeharto Mention

The upcoming film Dilan ITB 1997 has sparked significant public debate following the release of its first teaser on March 16, 2026. The production, directed by Pidi Baiq and Fajar Bustomi, marks a new chapter in the Dilan cinematic universe, shifting the narrative to the protagonist’s life as a university student.

The teaser has drawn attention primarily due to the casting of musician Ariel NOAH in the lead role of Dilan. This casting choice represents a departure from the previous films, where the character was portrayed by Iqbaal Ramadhan.

Political Context and Controversial Dialogue

The film is set in 1997, positioning Dilan as a Fine Arts student at the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). The plot unfolds during the volatile political climate leading up to the Indonesian Reformation. According to IMDb, the story follows Dilan after his return from Cuba in March 1997.

A specific line of dialogue in the trailer has become a focal point of controversy. Ariel NOAH’s character is heard saying, Terima kasih, Soeharto (Thank you, Soeharto). This reference to the former Indonesian president has triggered widespread reactions across social media platforms.

Public and Critical Reception

While the teaser was intended to evoke nostalgia, it has instead faced a wave of criticism from netizens. The primary objections center on the casting and the perceived overextension of the franchise.

• Age Appropriateness: Many viewers argue that Ariel NOAH appears too old to play a university student in the 1990s. Critics note that the timeline is only approximately six years after the events of the first film, making the age gap between the previous actor and the current one feel unrealistic.
• Franchise Fatigue: Some audience members expressed that the Dilan universe has appeared too frequently on the big screen, citing the sequence of releases starting with Dilan 1990 in 2018 and Dilan 1991 in 2019.
• Supporting Cast: The inclusion of Raline Shah as Milea has also sparked significant discussion and debate among the public.

Production Details

The film is produced by Falcon Pictures. In addition to Ariel NOAH and Raline Shah, the cast includes Niken Anjani and Wafda Saifan Lubis. The project continues the development of the story universe created by novelist Pidi Baiq.

The narrative aims to explore the intersection of Dilan’s personal romantic life and the harsh realities of campus life amidst the political unrest of the New Order era. By transitioning the character into adulthood, the film attempts to bridge the gap between the youthful romance of the earlier installments and the complexities of the late 1990s in Indonesia.