P. Ramlee, after a dry spell, became the main actor and hero in the film, Bakti. He was also the first Malay film performer who could both act and sing without a playback singer. He went on to act in the main roles in a host of films such Sejoli, Juita, Antara Senyum dan Tangis, Patah Hati, Anjuran Nasib, Putus Harapan, Miskin, Sedarah, Ibu, Hujan Panas, Siapa Salah, Perjodohan, Panggilan Pulau, Merana and Abu Hassan Pencuri. Most of these earlier films were forgettable and were lost after the fires at the Singapore studios. But they allowed him to build on his talent.

The film, Hang Tuah, a historical film depicting the legendary exploits of a Malay warrior of the Malacca Sultanate, won him top honours as Asia's best song composer in the 1956 Hong Kong Film Festival. About this time P. Ramlee ventured into directing.

The first movie he directed was Penarik Beca. As the first Malay director, P. Ramlee broke the Indian monopoly in this field. Penarik Beca, however, was a contemporary social drama that projected the paradoxes of the values and life of the Malay society of that time. Trishaws (beca) were a popular mode of transport in the Peninsula, and many of the trishaw pullers were Malays. Penarik Beca was well received and even chosen as Malaya's best film in 1956.