Local film production on the rise

Duminda Senerath

The local banking industry has stopped giving credit to the film producers says veteran film director Udayakantha Warnasuriya.

He said the main reason for this is a few film producers have defaulted banks. "Some producers have taken credit from the banks and have not even produced a film but have utilised them for private purposes," he said.

Warnasuriya says that one cannot blame the lending institutions as the film industry has let them down.

However he said that in a bid to iron out this problem and inject funds to the industry, the State Film Corporation has come out with a scheme to provide 50 per cent of the cost of a film.

"This is based on the script and Nisala Gira produced by Nita Fernando was one such example," he said. He said that there are 20 to 25 films produced annually and only around five or six make profits. Last year Weda Beri Tarzan, Ran Kevita, Uthpalawanna, Asai Mang Piyambanna and Sikuru Hathe were among the most successful films.

Warnasuriya who produced successful films such as, Rajya Sevaya Pinisai, Gini Avi saha Gini Keli, Yakada Pihatu, Rosa Wasanthe, Asai Mang Piyambanne, said script, direction and selection of film stars play a prominent role for a success of a film.

He says that to produce a quality film an investment of Rs. 200 million has to be made.

However a person may be surprised that the highest investment for the film is for advertising which some times goes over Rs. 100 million. It generally costs around Rs. 75 million.

He says that Sri Lanka uses Cinemascope technology and now is using DTS technology, which has to be done in India. "Heart FM produced by the EAP group has this DTS sound technology. This DTS technology costs an additional RS. 15 million and has to be done in India," he added.

Dolby Digital systems are also used in producing films and films such as Suriya Arana, Sudu Kalu saha Alu have been produced in this manner.

He said that the local film industry is still profitable. "The film Asai Mang Piyambanna was successful and the turn over passed Rs. 600 million mark as it ran for 75 days. It still holds the record for being the highest profit making film for 75 days. Suriya Arana produced by Somarathne Dissanayake is Sri Lanka's highest profit making movie," he said.

Warnasuriya a former freelance journalist at Lake House who has produced 13 films said more films with special effects and high quality are now being produced.

" Its pleasing to note that film productions have increased," he said.