Gem studded Buddha statue for Mahindagamanaya Director

Uvindu ILLEPERUMA

A historical setting in a cinematic tale makes way for a new path to a social discourse. It may also evoke controversy and more than the general dose of interest.

Mahindagamanaya, a film directed by Sanath Abeysekara proved to be one of the significant chapters in the Sri Lanka film industry. The detailed scenes emerge out of age old records penned in the Mahawamsa. It is also a costly production as all the historical setting has to be unearthed and reconstructed. History should be defined as it was or else the film will be accused as distorting historical facts.

Mahindagamanaya encompasses all these features. This is the reason why 500, 000 cinemagoers fancied the film to many other contemporary productions. The film is expected to record a high income. It had already cashed in more than Rs 50 million. Director Abeysekara belives that the reason his film is doing so well is due to the blessings from the Maha Sangha. Ven Ellawala Medhananda thera spearheaded the movement which helped Abeysekara transform his script into a film.

Speaking at the ceremony which was held to felicitate the key players in Mahindagamanaya Ven Medhananda Thera thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa for giving his blessings for the project.

Recalling how Abeysekara had approached him with the script Ven Medhananda thera said, “I took it as a national requirement because the Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi was coming up. It is a visual work of art defining our age old history. The advent of Buddhism is one of the key points in the history of the island.”

“Films like Mahindagamanaya which portray history are in demand. People are curious about the past and flock to watch such productions. I wish to uphold a people-centric cinema culture through the institution. What people cannot understand or what confuses them are not the creations. Films which address the heart and mind of the public like Mahindagamanaya should be made to market the production,” NFC Chairman Kumar Abeysinghe said.

Abeyseka also launched a book which comprises the story of the movie at the event. He said that he will be giving the book to school for free. He was also presented a gem studded Buddha statue by President Rajapaksa for his great execution of filming in Mahindagamanaya.