Utthara Will love conquer all?

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

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Fragments of this tale took shape in my mind over the years. I related the plot to Mahesh and he was able to put this heart-rending story into words. It has a mixture of music, romance and politics

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Assistant director turned director, Sandun Rajakaruna’s maiden movie, Utthara, had completed shooting and is now ready to be released at theatres in March, 2009 . The story, scripted by popular novelist Mahesh Sathsara Maddumarachchi, stars popular young actor Suraj Mapa in the lead role. The film also introduced Hashini Gonagala, dance partner of Dushyanth Weeraman in ‘Sirasa Dancing stars’ season one, to cinema.

Shooting had taken place at some picturesque locations in Colombo,Matale and Nuwara Eliya for around 25 days. Utthara comprises four songs set to music by Rohana Weerasingha while Pradeep Rangana, Uresha Ravihari and Santhush Weeraman provided background vocals.

The cast also includes seasoned campaigners like Sanath Gunatileke, who acts the role of Utthara’s father, along with Maureen Charuni, Upeksha Swarnamali, Janith Wickramage, Sahan Ranwala, Vishaka Siriwardena, Rebecca Nirmalee, Daya Alwis, Sarath Chandrasiri, Anton Jude, Wasantha Kumarasiri, Shan Bandu Weerasinghe and Udayangani Saman Kumari.

Utthara focuses on a romantic tale between two youngsters. She is the daughter of a powerful minister while he is an upcoming pop icon. Music is the center of his life while his love brings joy and hope into hers. Their love story flows amidst obstacles.

Will love conquer all? “Fragments of this tale took shape in my mind over the years.

“I related the plot to Mahesh and he was able to put this heart-rending story into words. It has a mixture of music, romance and politics,” relates Rajakaruna who had acted as assistant director for a number of well loved tele creations like Poojaneeyai Adare, Pooja, Punaragamanaya and Diriya Doni.

Chandana Dharmapriya is the cameraman, Chamikara Bokaragoda the art director, Naradha Dhananji Thotagamuwage the assistant director, Stanley Alwis the editor and Madhuranga Jagoda is the production manager of the movie.

Uttthara is produced by lawyer Vajira Rajapakse on behalf of Sinelka Films.

Mamma Mia!: Titanic’s U.K. Record Run Aground

The unflagging cheerfulness of ABBA conquered the red-hot chemistry between Leo and Kate as Mamma Mia! nudged aside the 11-time Oscar winner as the top-grossing film of all time at the U.K. box office.

The light ‘n fluffy musical, en route to earning $571.7 million worldwide, has taken in $107.7 million across the pond after 22 weeks in theatres. Titanic held the record for 10 years after bagging 69 million pounds (about $107.5 million in today’s currency) in 1998. “Mamma Mia! is pure escapism, proving a fun and inexpensive way to forget about the state of the economy for a couple of hours,” Universal Pictures International president David Kosse said, calling the film a “true phenomenon.”

DVD sales also went through the roof, with the jaunty romantic comedy sellling 1.7 million copies its first day out.

eonline.com

Jumbo delight from Ali Surathal

Ruwini Jayawardana

From Sunil T. Productions comes Ali Surathal, a delightful treat for kids and animal lovers. The movie, directed by renowned filmmaker Sunil Soma Peries and Sudesh Wasantha Peries, stars Semini Iddamalgoda and Jeevan Kumaratunga in lead roles supported by Rex Koddipilli, Sanath Gunatileke, Anton Jude, Ananda Wickramage, Buddhika Rambukwella, Jeewan Handunetthi, Jaya Sanjeewani, Ferdinand Daniel, Wasantha Kumarawila and others along with child actor Malith Wikesiriwardena.

The story centres on Raju, an elephant who had saved Ravi’s life from a tiger during his childhood. Raju and three more elephants are companions to Ravi whose parents had died when he was a kid.

The elephants are more like humans to Ravi who loves, speaks and plays with them. He meets Manju, a daughter of a wealthy merchant, and they fall in love. They get Manju’s father’s blessings for marriage but in a business deal, Ravi becomes penniless by losing his money and property.

Manju’s father discovers Ravi’s plight and expresses his discontent towards the Manju-Ravi relationship. Ravi’s friends comes to his rescue and together they perform on the streets and earn their fortune. Manju and Ravi are married but quite unexpectedly Manju begins to develop a strong suspicion and dislike towards Raju.

Ali Surathal is Sunil Soma Peries’ 54th direction and Sunil T.’s 49th production. Kumarasiri de Silva is the assistant director while Lalith M. Thomas and Dammika Rajapakse are the cameramen. Keshan Sudattha Perera is the music director while Stanley Alwis of Mahil Video is the editor of Ali Surathal. Wasantha Kumarawila is the fight director, Thushani Weerakkody is the choreographer, Sarath Ranaweera the make up artist and hairdresser, and Sarath Samarawickrama the art director.

Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe, Chandadasa Fernando and Sunil Dharmasiri have penned the lyrics while Nuwan Gunawardena, Uresha Ravihari, Sudesh Wasantha Peries and Pabodha Pabasara are the background singers.

The story is by Anton Kingsley while the sound mixing is by Siddhartha Nayanananda. The production manager is Ananda Nimal Wimanna. The movie will begin screening at 35 theatres island wide from January 1.

Madagascar

Escape 2 Africa moves to Majestic:

In the highly-anticipated sequel to “Madagascar”-the number one family comedy of 2005-Alex (Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Melman (David Schwimmer), Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith), King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen), Maurice (Cedric The Entertainer), the penguins (Tom McGrath, Christopher Knights, Chris Miller) and the chimps (Conrad Vernon) find themselves marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar. In the face of this obstacle, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work.

With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed plane-sort of. Once the first flight of Air Penguin is aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the wildest place of all-the vast plains of Africa, where the members of our New York City zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. Africa seems like a great place...but is it better than their Central Park home?

The movie is directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath and is all set to represent the Best Animated Feature category at the Oscars in February next year. ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ is now unspooling at Majestic cinema.