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| Saturday, 23 February 2002 |
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Udayakantha A varied reel life The latest film by popular director Udayakantha Warnasuriya - "Bahuboothayo" focusing on a different and rare theme, will be released in May.
It is also the first Sri Lankan film to use a "Blue Screen" which can create digital effects on screen, he added. This film revolves round a she-devil who comes to the city from a remote area and stays with two journalists. The film focuses on the efforts of the two journalists to drive away this she-devil away from their house. This is another novel creation from Udayakantha, who has made a name for himself with his diverse range of films in less than 10 years. Although there are not many films to his credit, this newspaper and commercial artiste turned film director has kept his mark in the local film scene. "My career in the film industry is full of diversity and I don't want to confine it into one category or theme," Udayakantha says. The creation of films is also a part of my life, he added. In his films, Udayakantha has focused on many aspects of human nature, family life, underworld, politics and life of youth to mention a few. Almost all his films have been based on comic-stories drawn by him for newspapers in the early 80s." I never learnt film medium as a subject, it was more of a trial and error. In all my films, the script was done by myself." Among his films are; Mahamera Usata, Bahu Barya, Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli and Rajya Sevaya Pinisai. He has also excelled in television and stage. Being an artiste, Udayakantha uses his drawing skills for films." I draw up some scenes while writing the script and it makes my job easier as a film director." Udayakantha's recent film Rosa Wasanthe (Rose Spring) which is now showing has surpassed 50 days." The film has a deeper meaning than what is visible on the surface and it advocates the young generation not to take emotional decisions at once as such decisions would affect their future life." Like many of his films, Rose Spring is also based on a comic-story drawn by him for a newspaper." It had a cinematic value and I had been planning to do a film on this plot for a long period. I am satisfied with the viewer response to this film." Another Udayakantha film is also lined up for screening - Yakada Pihatu (Iron Feathers), which will be released at the end of this year. It will also be a novel experience to viewers. It revolves round an army deserter and a widow. " It reflects the nature of human relationships," says Udayakantha. Commenting on the local film industry, Udayakantha still sees a gloomy future. "There are only a handful of professional producers still in the fray. We need more such producers. However, the privatisation of film distribution is in a sense a worthy step as it creates an open market and enhances competitiveness," he added. ============================ Musical tribute to Rohana
Over 30 leading singers including W.D. Amaradeva, Nanda Malini, Victor Ratnayake, T. M. Jayaratne and Sunil Edirisinghe will take part in this concert while a large orchestra will perform the music. Besides, a book titled "Lankeeya Sangeethaye Rohana Lakuna" (The mark of Rohana in the local music) highlighting Rohana's contribution towards the uplift of local music will be launched at a separate ceremony to be held at the John de Silva Memorial Hall on February 25. |
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Produced by Lake House |
This 'almost comedy' film based on a
Sinhalese folk-story will be the first local film to use digital technology for both sound
and picture. "I used a special digital video camera which is easy for post
production," says Udayakantha. 
"Adaraneiya
Rohana - Sangeetha Sanhitha," a musical concert to felicitate popular musician Rohana
Weerasinghe will be held on February 26 at the BMICH at 7.00 pm. 
