Two Indian stars play lead roles in Lankan Buddhist film
Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne’s film ‘Bimba Devi alias Yashodhara’ based on the life of Prince Siddhartha’s wife will be premiered on April 26 to coincide with the Vesak, the holiest Buddhist festival of the year. The film is based on historical facts contained in Poojavaliya written by Buddhist monk Buddhaputhra in the 13th century. The lead roles of the prince and the princess are played by two Indian actors, Pahlavi Subash and Arpit Chowdry. Arpit is an Indian model-turned actor, known for TV series ‘Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi’ with uncredited roles in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. The six-foot-three inch hulk has appeared on the catwalks in India, England and America and has also dabbled in the British theatre. Pallavi Subhash is a Marathi film and soap opera actress. She is popular for portraying the roles of Dharma in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, Gauri in Karam Apnaa Apnaa and Rukmini in the mythological series Mahabharat. She was romantically linked to popular Marathi star Aniket Vishwasarao and known to have refused to play characters in 23 movies during the intense media attention to her alleged love affair.
Sri Lankan link in Virat-Anushka love saga
Sri Lanka has been an important link in the love saga of Indian cricketer Virat Kholi and Anushka Sharma in the early days of their romance. The Bollywood actress was in Sri Lanka filming Bombay Velvet when Kohli paid a visit to meet his future wife. The cricketer was not well known then and according to a leading member of the Sri Lankan crew, one day he got a call to go to Colombo Katunayake airport to pick up an important guest. The mystery visitor was none other than the budding cricketer. When the crew member asked where Virat wanted to go he had replied Maharagama, a suburb of Colombo where the Bollywood film was being shot. The crew member said Virat seemed to have a perfect knowledge of Colombo suburbs. The cricketer was dropped off at the hotel where Anushka was staying. Bombay Velvet, made by talented Anurag Kashyap, became a mega Bollywood failure even affecting the career of main actor Ranbir Kapoor. Some jinx?
Prof. Sunil’s next film historical epic written by W.A. Silva
Sinhala professor turned film maker Dr. Sunil Ariyaratne is planning to direct Vijayaba Kollaya, based on the popular novel by late W.A. Silva. This was used as a school text book sometime ago. The historical novel is based on a kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka at crossroads during the Portuguese invasion. The script was written by Tissa Abeyesekera who passed away a few years ago. Eight of W.A. Silva’s novels have been made into successful films with every one doing well at the box office. Vijayaba Kollaya (Invasion of Kingdom of Vijayaba) which is going to be a high budget venture will be produced by entrepreneur Buddhi Keerthisena. Several highly successful historical films have been made in Sri Lanka in recent years.
Samanalee fighting government liquor ban
Actress and singer Samanalee Fonseka is among ten women who filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court against the government’s decision to withdraw the ban prohibiting women to purchase booze or to work in liquor stores. Samanalee, a niece of Malini Fonseka, has been heavily criticized on social media for her latest move. She is not new to controversy. Samanalee was attacked when she was singing at a political rally in support of present president of the country. She was issued with a warrant for arrest for failing to appear in court regarding the assault case. Last year she was under fire for publishing on social media a picture of garbage gathered in an ancient Buddhist monument. Refraining from alcohol is the fifth precept of Buddhism usually recited by the devotees at least once a day.
Prasanna to direct Lanka-Bollywood-Hollywood co-production
Prasanna Vithanage, one of the most talented film directors in the country, is planning to make a movie, a co-production of Sri Lanka, Bollywood and Hollywood. Auditions are being conducted these days for the movie titled Guard. A popular star of the young generation Hemal Ranasinghe has been selected to play the lead. According to Sarasaviya film weekly, Hemal, the star of the box office hits Aadaraneeya Kathawak and Bhandanaya, has refused 12 films to keep his dates free to act in Prasanna’s film which looks like a chance of a life time for any actor. Prasanna is married to the youngest sister of Malini Fonseka, matriarch of the Fonseka film clan.
Hindi item girl Gamya Wijedasa in new film
Sri Lankan beauty queen Gamya Wijedasa known for her item number in Bollywood film Aalap is playing the female lead in ‘1970 Love story’, based on a true story. The film is directed by Aruna Jayawardena who is known for his award-winning Nikini Wessa (August Drizzle) screened in film festivals in Mumbai, Busan and Dubai. “Love Story” includes Hemal Ranasinghe and Mahendra Perera in the lead roles. After becoming Miss Sri Lanka in 2009 Gamya launched ambitious plans for a Bollywood career following in the footsteps of another beauty queen, Jaqueline Fernandez who has become a celebrity, but Gamya has not gone beyond one item song. What we hear is that the beauty queen who was studying in Australia had gone to India for auditions for a lead role in the Indian film. She has not still abandoned her Bollywood dreams.
