Tatler Talks: Bella and Bright on ‘Congrats My Ex!’

Top-tier Thai stars Bella and Bright share anecdotes from making their latest film

Set to premiere on Prime Video, the romantic comedy film Congrats My Ex! follows the chaotic story of Risa (Bella Ranee Campen), the owner of a wedding planning company on the verge of going bankrupt. As such, Risa and her close friends Jan (Baifern Passakorn Ponlaboon) and Aoffy (Ping Pong Thongchai Thongkuntom) must find new jobs to the best of their abilities to save the company from being in the red.

The good news is that they finally secured a new job: organising a wedding for an Indian couple and a large group of relatives to celebrate their nuptials in Thailand. Except, as irony would have it, fate has a “great” sense of humour. The groom-to-be, Arun (Mahir Pandhi), is the ex-boyfriend she still hasn’t moved on from.

Above Bella Ranee Campen and Mahir Pandhi as Risa and Arun in ‘Congrats My Ex!’

Above Bella Ranee Campen and Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree as Risa and Tim in ‘Congrats My Ex!’

While she has to swallow the bitter pill, she inadvertently complicates things further when she enlists her other ex-boyfriend, Tim (Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree), as a cameraman for the three days filled with cultural ceremonies. But he’s not just any ex-boyfriend as he used to date Risa, and he hasn’t been able to move on from their past relationship.

“I can relate to Risa because I’m clumsy and funny,” Bella says. “I’m poker-faced like Tim, and I think sometimes I pretend like I don’t care, but I actually care a lot,” Bright adds.

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In discussing the cross-cultural concept of Congrats My Ex!, Bella reveals, “We practised a lot for the dancing scene. We did the fitting for the traditional Indian clothes–my skirt was so heavy–and we rehearsed for many days. It wasn’t easy! We also had a Bollywood team in the production that was very helpful. They taught us a lot about Indian acting and dancing, so it was a really good experience.”

Above Bella Ranee Campen and Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree does a vibrant Indian dance number in ‘Congrats My Ex!’

Above Bella Ranee Campen and Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree as Risa and Tim in ‘Congrats My Ex!’

“I think we rehearsed for more than five… seven days. We worked so hard at that because I’m not a good dancer. I’m a terrible dancer! Also, when we rehearse, we wear normal clothes. The traditional Indian clothes make it harder to dance. But I’m proud of myself that I made it,” Bright adds.

Indeed, Congrats, My Ex! will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions and involve you in the characters’ romantic entanglements, but overall, the film guarantees a delightful and entertaining journey.

On a fun parting note, as December is right around the corner and with their respective birthdays approaching (Bella’s on December 24 and Bright’s on December 27), it begs the question: based on their personalities, what would they buy for each other?

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“I would buy her a carpet. Because she always tells me that she’s clumsy, keeps dirtying her carpet, and has to wash it often. So stop washing it! I’ll buy you a new one, okay? A black one, for sure,” Bright quips, much to Bella’s amusement.

For Bright, who’s an avid fan of photography in real life? “I’ll buy him a camera,” Bella tells Tatler.

Congrats My Ex! will premiere on Prime Video on November 16, 2023.

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Congrats My Ex! Bella Ranee Campen Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree

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