Channa’s latest cinematic voyage:

On ‘Wings of Illusion’

Ruwini Jayawardana

After his maiden movie, the highly successful Anjalika, actor turned director Channa Perera is back again with Mirigu Yathra (Wings of Illusion). The muhurath ceremony of the event took pace at the Tharangani Hall, National Film Corporation (NFC) on June 22. Channa’s website www.channaperera.com was also launched.

Channa’s second film is based on an intriguing story combining history and romance. Kalpa, an architect, stumbles on a mind-boggling adventure while spending a holiday in the hill country. He meets Charika and her family on his ventures and soon the two form an alliance to unearth a secret that lay hidden in the depths of the earth, buried for decades.

This is a peek into Channa’s latest creation which will commence shooting in Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandalama, Matale, Riverstone and SPM studio, Kandana. Channa himself will take on the male while Sanath Gunatileke, Irangani Serasinghe, Hemasiri Liyanage, Nihal Fernando, Shalini Tharuka, Gunadasa Madhurasinghe, Saman Almeida, Sandun Wijesiri, T.M. Abeyratne and D.B. Gangodathanna comprise the rest of the cast.

Having proved his prowess as a director in popular children’s television series like Punchi Weerayo and Tikiri Hapannu and a number of commercials, Channa rose to the peak of success as a director with the box office hit Anjalika. The film won him many accolades including the People’s film of the year award at SLIM awards 2007, Presidential awards and Sarasaviya awards.

Mirigu Yathra will bring the magic of Channa’s directing talent to the wide screen. The story is threaded together by him and penned into a screenplay by Kapila Kumara Kalinga. Prabath Roshan is the cameraman, Praveen Jayaratne the editor, Sameera Madu Kindelpitiya the make up artist, Donald Jayantha the assistant director, Gunatileke Ranawana the production manager, Praveen Jayaratne the sound controller, Shan Perera the choreographer and Teddy Vidyalankara the fight director.

The film is Sunethra Balasuriya, Perly Wijesinghe and Harsha Gamathige’s joint production. Vasantha Kumara Kobawaka and Sunil Wimalaweera penned the lyrics to songs sung by Uresha Ravihari and Udaya Sri Wickramasinghe of Centigradez.

Music is by Rohana Weerasinghe and the production coordination is handled by Rohana Wijeratne, Jeewana and Sudath. Dil Films International had provided the camera equipment and technological facilities.

Eranga brings Sadisna

Seasoned director Eranga Senaratne, the maker of productions like Sura Yahana Gini Gani, Gini Gath Madu Samaya, Rosa Patikki and Sina Suna Adaren began work on his newest project, Sadisna recently.

The film which has Dulani Anuradha and Pubudu Chathuranga in lead roles will also feature Chinthaka Kulathunga, Chanchala Warnasooriya, Janesh Silva, Hemantha Iriyagama, Rebecca Nirmalee and Tyrone Michael.

Sadisna traces the story of how the past returns to haunt a newly wedded couple. Ravan and Sadisna set off on their honeymoon to a beautifully set location high up in the hills. They reside in a bungalow which had been allocated for them by Ravan’s friend, Binara. It was only after their arrival that Sadisna realizes that that their host has a strong link with her past. He and she had shared a deep rooted love affair some years back.

Though the ex-lovers try their best to act normally, their behaviour catches Ravan’s eye. He becomes suspicious about them but will he unearth the past? That is a question that is left for the audience to find out when the film begins screening at theatres.

Janaka Chaminda is the cameraman while Mahesh Indika is the assistant director. Dilip Liyanage composed the music to songs penned by Sunil Wimalaweera and Mahesh Rathsara Maddumarachchi and sung by Gration Ananda, Uresha Ravihari, Surendra Perera and Abhisheka Wimalaweera. Ashoka Chaminda Vass is the art director, Sanka Prasad the choreographer, Banuka Karunaratne the costume designer and Vishvanath Wijesuriya the make up artist for the movie. Rasika Nalin Ranaweera will produce Sadisna. RJ

Vaastu Shastra director dies

Bollywood director Sourabh Narang, best known for his horror flick Vaastu Shastra, (dubbed in Telugu as Marri Chettu), died of stomach cancer in Sri Lanka on Saturday. He was 37.

The news broke after a friend of the director posted on Narang’s Facebook: “I regret to inform everyone that our dear friend Sourabh Usha Narang passed away in Colombo this morning after a protracted and courageous battle with cancer.” Narang was undergoing treatment in Colombo. “The services are going to be held on Monday (June 28),” the friend added.

It is noteworthy that in 2002, Narang was asked in an interview: “Where do you see yourself 10 years down the line?” The reply coincidentally was: “Given the amount I smoke, I should be dead.”

hindi.galatta.com

The Karate Kid in town

The Karate Kid, known as The Kung Fu Kid in China and Best Kid in Japan and South Korea, is a 2010 martial arts remake of the 1984 film of the same name. Directed by Harald Zwart, produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, the remake stars Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith.

12-year-old Dre Parker could’ve been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother’s latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying - and the feeling is mutual - but cultural differences make such a friendship impossible.

Even worse, Dre’s feelings make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. In the land of kung fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts “the karate kid” on the floor with ease. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is secretly a master of kung fu.

As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.

The movie will begin unspooling at Majestic cinema from July 3 as a CEL release.