The story begins with B.S. Rajhans - a Malay Film Productions director credited with making Laila Majnun (1933), Singapore's first ever feature film. In 1948, Rajhans embarked on a talent-scouting tour, making a stop in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. There, he met a charismatic young keroncong musician at a singing competition, and invited him to Singapore; that musician was P. Ramlee.

Nasib (Fate; 1949) was P. Ramlee's third film role and his second time working onscreen with Rajhans. He was cast in a supporting role as Baki, one of three protagonists plunged into an adventure featuring pirates, princesses, and more.

At the beginning of Nasib, the three characters (played by S. Roomai Noor, Daeng Harris, and P. Ramlee) march across a sandy coast, readying to set sail. They break into a playful song about destiny, Tangkap Ikan (Catching Fish), which was eventually released by Pathé as a 78 RPM shellac record in 1950.