Over the boundary

Super Six : the first Sri Lankan film to be screened in India :

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

It is a rare feat and one which will go down in Sri Lankan cinema history. Director Udara Palliyaguruge who made the largest budget movie in the island will be the first Sri Lankan director to launch a Sri Lankan film dubbed in Hindi in India. Five copies of Super Six will release in theatres in Mumbai in 2012.

The story of the film combines romance, comedy, action and fantasy. A whopping Rs 93 million has been spent on production costs. A star-studded cast led by Roshan Ranawana, Saranga Disasekara and Pabodha Sandeepanee comprises Super Six. Former Miss Sri Lanka Aruni Rajapaksa will debut in cinema along with Hemal Ranasinghe and Maheeka Sirisena. Other key roles will be played by Sanath Gunatileke, Mahendra Perera, Duleeka Marapana, Suneth Chitrananda, Rodney Warnakula, Priyantha Seneviratne, Chitra Warakagoda, Manike Attanayake and others. The actors sum up to 160 and around 80 crew had worked on the film.

Super Six revolves around three couples participating in the Super Sixes, a six a side tournament. This aspect brings their dreams into one platform and the freewheeling passion for the game decides their fate. It includes 12 songs and is shot in locations in Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Daily News ‘Projector’ spoke to Palliyaguruge about the making of the movie and his future plans for Super Six.

Q: So far we have seen a cluster of Indian actors taking part in Sri Lankan productions. This is the first time that a production starring Sri Lankan actors will take to theatres in India. What is the driving force behind this step?

A: Since I graduated at the Asian Film and Television Academy in India, I have a lot of experience about the expectations of the Indian audience. Our country has an abundance of beautiful locations and talent. Artistes are like gems. Their skills are hidden. The director should know how to brush up their skills and bring out the performance for the character.

Some directors export actors who are already fine tuned by others. I do not wish to find the easy way out by doing that. I wanted to bring out what the actors can offer through my own effort.

I have always believed that if ever I get a chance to make my own production, I would make use of it to highlight the potential of the local artistes. However I made it clear to my cast that they too should be dedicated to the task since I have given them this opportunity.

Q: Are the whole cast and crew of Super Six Sri Lankan?

A: Part of the crew is from India. Peter Hein who handled the stunts with Teddy Vidyalankara has worked in Bollywood films like Aamir Khan starrer Ghajini and Rajinikanth’s Robot alias Endhiran. Indian choreographer Sridhar Prasad and Gayan Srimal from Sri Lanka handled the dance sequences. Ajith Ramanayake and Indian editor Antony were in charge of the editing. Both countries contributed 50 percent each in such situations. It is a collaborative effort to get over the monotony of the dance and fight scenes.

Q: Is Super Six a cross between an action packed commercial movie and a musical?

A: You can term it like that. It is a film which caters to art enthusiasts from all walks of life. The whole family can enjoy it together.

Though we have an audience for Sri Lankan cinema a vast number of Sri Lankan movie buffs go for Hollywood and Bollywood productions because of the fight and dance scenes. I have considered these features when I made the movie. Sri Lankans will be able to see a local production with the best qualities of a Bollywood film in Super Six.

Q: Sri Lanka has a massive cricket fan following. In India cricket is almost a religion. Did you have these two countries in mind when you chose to include a cricket theme in the movie?

A: Since I have been working in the advertising field I know how to cater a product to a target audience. Though both countries have cricket fans they are not the ones who flock to movie theatres. Cricket and cinema have different markets.

Cricket is only an aspect that helps keep the Super Six storyline afloat. It is not a cricket film but one which brings forth the aspirations of youth. Some of the most recent films in Sri Lankan and Indian have been based on cricket but they have proven to be failures at the box office. I did not want to follow that unsuccessful trend. This is an effort to enhance the quality of commercial cinema.

Q: Did you have second thoughts on spending such a large amount on a movie?

A: Not at all. When you take challenges in life there are always risks involved.

Q: Three of your lead actors: Aruni, Hemal and Maheeka are new to the scene.

A: They have already become popular with masses before the film is even released. For example Hemal had already won the hearts of the public by taking part in television shows. I trained them for three months on acting and dancing. This is their ticket to prove their mettle.

Q: How confident are you about Super Six succeeding in India?

A: I do not wish to break box office records in India. This is the Sri Lankan emblem which I take to foreign soil. Once I have opened the doors to the market other directors are free to follow my path.

Q: A Sri Lankan film made or dubbed in English hitting Hollywood theatres. Do you see a possibility?

A: Of course. (Smiles) That is my next dream! I strive to make a Hollywood film in the future. This is the foundation to such an effort.

‘Blue’ movie for the kids

Who better to be stuck in the Big Apple than the blue people who are only three apples high?

However, Papa Smurf and his squad of sons – and Smurfette, of course – face becoming Gargamel’s lunch no matter where in the world they find themselves.

Digging deep into the childhood of most people who were born before there was such a thing as a cellphone, the Smurfs have remained the same while everyone else grew up. So it would be safe to assume that a trip down memory lane is exactly what you’d find in the third Smurfs film, this time in 3D, right? Wrong.

From the city to the setting, these are the same ol’ Smurfs who come up with a modern take on good triumphing over evil. Directed by Raja Gosnell The Smurfs was narrowly beaten to the top spot by Cowboys and Aliens upon its release, but it has since out-grossed Jon Favreau’s sci-fi movie and has earned $130 million worldwide.

The success is a bit of a surprise for Sony, who spent $110 million to make it, and the potential revenue from DVD and merchandise sales will turn The Smurfs into a profitable venture. Because of this the studio has decided to move forward with a sequel which will be released August 2, 2013.

If you liked Shrek Forever After and Gnomeo and Juliet you’ll like this. The Smurfs are screening at Savoy 2, Wellawatta. It is an EAP release.

Housefull 2 arrives in 2012

Sajid Nadiadwala’s Housefull 2 which was earlier slated for June 1, 2012 ,will now arrive as a fun-filled summer treat.

According to latest reports from Eros, Housefull 2 will be now released on April 5, 2012. Audiences can look forward to the first big summer release next year with the much anticipated comic caper directed by Sajid Khan.

Sequel to the super hit Housefull, Housefull 2 is also a comedy in true Sajid Khan style and stars an eclectic mix of actors including Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Riteish Deshmukh along with Asin Thottumkal, Jacqueline Fernandez, Randhir Kapoor, Zarine Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Boman Irani, Chunky Pandey and others. The soundtrack for the film has been composed by Sajid-Wajid.

For the records, Housefull had a very successful innings at the box office on its release on April 30, 2010.

IndiaGlitz