KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — Viu original series Cinta Dalam Sekam has clocked 101.5 million views across social media platforms since its July 16 debut, as the streaming platform shifts gears with its darker psychological thriller Cela.
The milestone was announced yesterday at the launch of Cela, Viu Malaysia’s ninth original series.
Cinta Dalam Sekam, the platform’s eighth Malaysian original, mixes decade-spanning romance, jealousy and buried secrets against an ‘80s-inspired backdrop.
The series has also held the No. 1 spot on Viu for weeks, outperforming several Korean titles, including Dream To You, Running Man (2026) and The Affair Was Just The Beginning.
The 12-episode drama stars Amir Ahnaf, Siti Khadijah Halim, Haidar Hasanudin, Riz Amin and Husna Mustaffa.
At its centre is Uwan, an elderly man living with dementia whose memories of the present are fading even as his mind remains rooted in 1988, when he repeatedly calls out for a village girl named Laila.
As his family attempts to uncover the truth behind those memories, they stumble upon a decades-old love triangle shaped by jealousy and a secret that changed their lives.
The series is currently on episode 10, with a watch party for episode 11 taking place at LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre today.
Viu turns darker with ‘Cela’
Following Cinta Dalam Sekam, Viu is moving into considerably darker territory with Cela, a psychological thriller and dark romance centred on obsession, secrets and redemption.
The 12-episode series stars Nabila Huda and Hun Haqeem in their first on-screen pairing, alongside Zarif Ghazzi, Datuk Seri Eizlan Yusof, Lisdawati and others.
Directed by filmmaker Feroz Kader and produced by Global Film Station Sdn Bhd, Cela follows high-school student Kaer (Hun), whose family is shattered by his father’s death.
He and his grieving mother are subsequently taken in by the affluent Datuk Arshad (Eizlan) and his captivating wife, Datuk Anees (Nabila).
Searching for comfort in the aftermath of the tragedy, Kaer develops an intense emotional bond with Anees.
But the relationship takes a darker turn when he discovers a painful truth: Anees is directly connected to the tragedy that destroyed his family.
Caught between hidden motives and revenge, Kaer is forced to confront betrayal and the consequences of his choices.
Nabila Huda on playing Anees — and setting boundaries
For Nabila, Anees represents a departure from many of her previous roles, with manipulation and hidden motives central to the character.
Speaking to the media, the actress also addressed the emotionally and physically intense scenes between Anees and Kaer, stressing that they were approached as part of the characters’ story rather than as personal interactions between the actors.
“When I’m on set, I’m not Nabila Huda, I’m Anees.
“Every physical interaction in that scene has a reason, direction and context.
“Everything has a storyline.
“Of course, there are boundaries.
“We discuss, we rehearse and we know what the scene requires.
“So, when the camera is rolling, whatever you see between Anees and Kaer is not me personally,” she said.
With Cinta Dalam Sekam approaching the end of its run, Cela now takes over Viu Malaysia’s Thursday and Friday release slot.
Cela began streaming exclusively on Viu today, with new episodes released every Thursday and Friday.