The Thai film How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has taken social media and Singapore by storm, capturing hearts (and lots of tears) with its emotional storyline.
(I personally haven’t watched it, but seeing my reaction with Inside Out 2, I know better than to watch a movie knowing full well that I would embarrass myself in front of a crowded theatre with my noisy sobbing.)
The film, directed by 34-year-old Pat Boonnitipat and starring 78-year-old Usha Seamkhum in her debut role as Amah (aka the titular Grandma), has become a sensation since its release on 30 May 2024.
To thank Singaporean fans for their overwhelming support, the director and lead actress will visit Singapore for fan meet-and-greet sessions.
Golden Village (GV), the organiser of the event, announced that Boonnitipat and Seamkhum will be at GV Suntec City on 24 June 2024.
Initially, one session was planned, but because of the high demand, a second session was added. The first session includes a screening of the film at 6:50PM, followed by a fan meet-and-greet at 9:10PM. The second session will begin at 7:15PM.
Tickets for both sessions are priced at $18 for the public and $16 for GV Movie Club members. The first session’s tickets were available for purchase from 6PM on 19 June via all GV sales channels, while tickets for the second session were sold from 3PM on 20 June.
The film’s success in Singapore is undeniable. By 17 June, it had grossed around S$3.67 million, making it the highest-earning Thai movie in Singapore ever and one of the top-grossing films of 2024.
In the local box-office rankings, it holds the fourth position, following Money No Enough 3 (S$4.88 million), Kung Fu Panda 4 (S$4.49 million), and Godzilla X Kong: A New Empire (S$4.09 million).
How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies tells the story of M, a university dropout played by Billkin Putthipong Assaratanakul. M puts aside his dream of becoming a professional gamer to care for his terminally-ill grandmother, Amah, in hopes of securing a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
What sounds like a premise with an oddly dark sense of humour has defied expectations by leaving no dry eyes in the cinema. It has even led to the trend on TikTok showing people’s reactions before and after watching the movie.
The popularity of How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is not just a testament to the film’s quality but also to the universally relatable themes of family, sacrifice, and love that it explores.
During the meet-and-greet sessions, cinephiles and fans of the film will have the opportunity to ask Boonnitipat and Seamkhum questions about the film and their experiences. Additionally, there will be a chance to win group photos with the director and actress.
(After watching a movie like that? You might just burst into tears seeing Amah in the flesh.)
These sessions are a way for the filmmakers to express their gratitude to the fans who have supported the film and contributed to its record-breaking success.
For those interested in attending the meet-and-greet sessions, it’s best to act quickly, because as of the evening of 20 June, the first session has completely sold out while there are only tickets to the second session at 7:15PM left.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Thai cinema or just looking for a heartwarming story, How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is a must-watch.