Dr Tilak S Fernando

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Leaders are born and not made! Same can be said about the cinematic professionals who will always shine as glistening stars in the Silver Screen progressively dependent upon the tasks they undertake and execute to the satisfaction of the film and television world.

In this respect versatile Udayakantha Warnasuriya, Producer, Director, Script Writer and Author, filters to the top among a few Sri Lankan performers in the cinema industry in Sri Lanka. From a preliminary stage of writing cartoon stories and fitting those into picture narrative on the newsprint, Udayakantha has taken a gargantuan step by entering the film industry to take up the challenge with camera and films to be recognised today as one of the most versatile, talented and diversified directors cum producers in both fields ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” teledrama and on the big screen.

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Scene from ‘Senasuru Maruwa’

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Channa Perera in ‘Senasuru Maruwa’

Taking his first courageous step to produce a teledrama, Manik Ketayama, on his own steam, he has ventured and made a success of it and stretched his tentacles far and wide to come up with quality dramas such as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Diya SuliyaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Eka Gei KurulloƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”HumalayaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ and ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Senehase GeethyaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.

Paying dividends

UdayakanthaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s love for the industry, combined with dedication, enthusiasm and sheer determination, has given him the golden opportunity to explore the film world with success in branching out to numerous categories such as Action films (Gini Avi and Gini Keli – fire arms and fire play); Rajye Sevaya Pinisai (giving a glimpse of political and public administration misdemeanor); Bahu Bharya (action adult), Ran Diya Dhara (family film); Rosa Vasanthe, Hiri Poda Vessa, Aasai Man Piyabanna (general entertainment) Yakada Pihatu (action), Challenges (advisory), Bahu Boothayo (comedy) – Ran Kevita Part. I (for Children) Ran Kevita Part II (awaiting release).

His talent becomes similar to a cut diamond every time one of his directions or productions hit the silk screen as sun light falling on a facet of the jewel giving out a different reflection due to associated diversity he undertakes individually. This becomes even more prominent when he takes the bulk of the responsibilities upon his own shoulders of creating a story line, script writing &direction.

Adding yet another veneer to his already ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”cut cinematic diamondƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, a film based on Dr. Tissa AbeysekeraƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s story which has been liven up by his script writing and direction will be hitting the island wide cinema circuits shortly under the name Senasuru Maruwa (ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Change of SaturnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢).

The film is based on a social issue which is commonly prevalent in any society today where it is seen as a common feature where human beings transforming into demons of greed when it comes to big money. I watched the film at the press show, a few weeks ago, at the Liberty Cinema, in total suspense until the last scene.

Storyline

The story unveils from a wedding reception of Anuththara (Sheshadri) the daughter of an affluent businessman Maheel (Lucky Dias), who had been working in a ship as a laborer fifteen years ago with his friend Kisal (Channa Perera).

Kisal appears on the scene out of the blue to the surprise of Maheel as he was under the impression that he killed Kisal long time ago and pushed him into the sea after murdering a Japanese traveler in the ship and grabbing millions worth of diamonds from the passenger.

The haul of diamonds had made Maheel wealthy and accepted in society as an affluent businessman. However, Kisal having survived after being beaten up and thrown into the sea surprised Maheel at the wedding reception to claim his share of Rs. 50 million out of the diamond sale.

They arrange to meet up at a private venue later when Kisal demands nothing less than Rs.50 million. From that moment onwards Maheel attempts to evade the issue while Kisal becomes persistent in pursuing the matter.

The story then takes an exciting pitch with the display of ruthless activities of the underworld organised with the help of the cabinet ministerƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s unruly son Viraj (Buddika Jayaratne) and his gang of thugs to put an end to KisalƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s life.

With several terrifying events and spine-tingling attacks and counter attack by both parties, Kisal manages to kidnap Anuththara which brings the underworld activities to a climax in a move to rescue Anuththara.

Kisal, in an apologetic manner, explains the whole saga to Anuththara about her fatherƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s fault. She in return exposes her fatherƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s cruel behaviour on her boyfriend by employing the ruffian, ministerƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s son and thugs to batter him and set fire to his motor cycle etc.

Finally Kisal goes into safety with Anuththara in an abandoned ship on a beach. She phones her father from the wrecked ship and makes a request to reimburse Kusal. As a final attempt Kisal invites Maheel to visit the ship alone with the ransom to get his daughter released. Viraj dismissing MaheelƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s attempts to visit Kisal alone braves the act with a team of back up gunmen in hiding. The professionalism displayed in the area of action by Channa Perera and Lucky Dias adds that extra flavor to make the audience glued to the screen during the entire running of the film.

Buddhika JayaratneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s acting needs praising as the way he plays the role of a mischievous son of a powerful Cabinet Minister who takes his fatherƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s ministerial powers into his own hands and goes wild with his unruly gang of the underworld and going to the extent of urinating on the battered and lying down victim (Visal).

All in all, Senasuru Maruwa is an action film filled with drama and suspense all intertwined together to make it a powerful story where UdayakanthaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s experience in direction takes another leap forward to make this production yet another milestone in his career.

tilakfernando@gmail.com

17 October 2012