Benjamin Kheng says Steven Lim was reference for The Sandbox role
Singaporean singer-songwriter Benjamin Kheng revealed that local personality Steven Lim served as his primary reference for his role in the upcoming mockumentary film The Sandbox, asiaone.com reported.
The Sandbox Follows a Stunt School Facing Closure
The Sandbox follows a struggling stunt training school facing closure when rumors emerge that a Marvel superhero production is scouting for talent in Singapore. The plot brings in an influx of aspiring stunt performers and superhero wannabes. Benjamin Kheng plays Joash Goh, described in the reports as a self-proclaimed martial arts prodigy defined by an inflated ego, shameless self-belief, and a complete disregard for outside opinions.
I think he’s the ultimate performance artist if you think about it.
I find it truly beautiful.
Production Dynamics and Cast Details
Filming for The Sandbox took place between May and June of the previous year. Benjamin Kheng noted that channeling Joash Goh’s serious self-regard came naturally because familiar personality types exist in real life. He remarked that everyone possesses a level of narcissism and that it is not difficult to dial that up for comedy.
Written and directed by James in his directorial debut, the film is produced by Mocha Chai Laboratories. The cast features real-life stunt school founder, actor, and action director Peps Goh, alongside Nathan Hartono, Fauzi Azzhar, Oon Shu An, Estelle Fly, Jon Cancio, Xuan Ong, and Aaron Mossadeg.
The film held its premiere at the 36th Singapore International Film Festival in November 2025. An international screening followed at the Malaysia International Film Festival in July, attended by Benjamin Kheng, James, producer Anthony Eu, Estelle Fly, and Fauzi Azzhar.
Benjamin Kheng Reflects on His Career in Singapore
Beyond his acting work, Benjamin Kheng discussed the inherent challenges of sustaining a career as an artiste in Singapore. Having risen to prominence as a member of the pop band The Sam Willows alongside Narelle Kheng, Sandra Riley Tang, and Jonathan Chua, he noted the contrast between group dynamics and solo endeavors. He described his solo career as very isolating, which led him to participate in community music initiatives like the Sing Song Social Club.
He emphasized that surviving the industry requires an unshakeable belief in oneself or the work.
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