Film Review:
Senasuru Maruwa, a welcome variant
Dr Tilak S Fernando
Leaders are born and not made! Same can be said about the cinematic
professionals who will always shine as glistening stars in the Silver
Screen progressively dependent upon the tasks they undertake and execute
to the satisfaction of the film and television world.
In this respect versatile Udayakantha Warnasuriya, Producer,
Director, Script Writer and Author, filters to the top among a few Sri
Lankan performers in the cinema industry in Sri Lanka. From a
preliminary stage of writing cartoon stories and fitting those into
picture narrative on the newsprint, Udayakantha has taken a gargantuan
step by entering the film industry to take up the challenge with camera
and films to be recognised today as one of the most versatile, talented
and diversified directors cum producers in both fields – teledrama and
on the big screen.
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Scene from
'Senasuru Maruwa' |
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Channa
Perera in 'Senasuru Maruwa' |
Taking his first courageous step to produce a teledrama, Manik
Ketayama, on his own steam, he has ventured and made a success of it and
stretched his tentacles far and wide to come up with quality dramas such
as ‘Diya Suliya’, ‘Eka Gei Kurullo’, ‘Humalaya’ and ‘Senehase Geethya’.
Paying dividends
Udayakantha’s love for the industry, combined with dedication,
enthusiasm and sheer determination, has given him the golden opportunity
to explore the film world with success in branching out to numerous
categories such as Action films (Gini Avi and Gini Keli - fire arms and
fire play); Rajye Sevaya Pinisai (giving a glimpse of political and
public administration misdemeanor); Bahu Bharya (action adult), Ran Diya
Dhara (family film); Rosa Vasanthe, Hiri Poda Vessa, Aasai Man Piyabanna
(general entertainment) Yakada Pihatu (action), Challenges (advisory),
Bahu Boothayo (comedy) - Ran Kevita Part. I (for Children) Ran Kevita
Part II (awaiting release).
His talent becomes similar to a cut diamond every time one of his
directions or productions hit the silk screen as sun light falling on a
facet of the jewel giving out a different reflection due to associated
diversity he undertakes individually. This becomes even more prominent
when he takes the bulk of the responsibilities upon his own shoulders of
creating a story line, script writing &direction.
Adding yet another veneer to his already ‘cut cinematic diamond’, a
film based on Dr. Tissa Abeysekera’s story which has been liven up by
his script writing and direction will be hitting the island wide cinema
circuits shortly under the name Senasuru Maruwa (‘Change of Saturn’).
The film is based on a social issue which is commonly prevalent in
any society today where it is seen as a common feature where human
beings transforming into demons of greed when it comes to big money. I
watched the film at the press show, a few weeks ago, at the Liberty
Cinema, in total suspense until the last scene.
Storyline
The story unveils from a wedding reception of Anuththara (Sheshadri)
the daughter of an affluent businessman Maheel (Lucky Dias), who had
been working in a ship as a laborer fifteen years ago with his friend
Kisal (Channa Perera).
Kisal appears on the scene out of the blue to the surprise of Maheel
as he was under the impression that he killed Kisal long time ago and
pushed him into the sea after murdering a Japanese traveler in the ship
and grabbing millions worth of diamonds from the passenger.
The haul of diamonds had made Maheel wealthy and accepted in society
as an affluent businessman. However, Kisal having survived after being
beaten up and thrown into the sea surprised Maheel at the wedding
reception to claim his share of Rs. 50 million out of the diamond sale.
They arrange to meet up at a private venue later when Kisal demands
nothing less than Rs.50 million. From that moment onwards Maheel
attempts to evade the issue while Kisal becomes persistent in pursuing
the matter.
The story then takes an exciting pitch with the display of ruthless
activities of the underworld organised with the help of the cabinet
minister’s unruly son Viraj (Buddika Jayaratne) and his gang of thugs to
put an end to Kisal’s life.
With several terrifying events and spine-tingling attacks and counter
attack by both parties, Kisal manages to kidnap Anuththara which brings
the underworld activities to a climax in a move to rescue Anuththara.
Kisal, in an apologetic manner, explains the whole saga to Anuththara
about her father’s fault. She in return exposes her father’s cruel
behaviour on her boyfriend by employing the ruffian, minister’s son and
thugs to batter him and set fire to his motor cycle etc.
Finally Kisal goes into safety with Anuththara in an abandoned ship
on a beach. She phones her father from the wrecked ship and makes a
request to reimburse Kusal. As a final attempt Kisal invites Maheel to
visit the ship alone with the ransom to get his daughter released. Viraj
dismissing Maheel’s attempts to visit Kisal alone braves the act with a
team of back up gunmen in hiding. The professionalism displayed in the
area of action by Channa Perera and Lucky Dias adds that extra flavor to
make the audience glued to the screen during the entire running of the
film.
Buddhika Jayaratne’s acting needs praising as the way he plays the
role of a mischievous son of a powerful Cabinet Minister who takes his
father’s ministerial powers into his own hands and goes wild with his
unruly gang of the underworld and going to the extent of urinating on
the battered and lying down victim (Visal).
All in all, Senasuru Maruwa is an action film filled with drama and
suspense all intertwined together to make it a powerful story where
Udayakantha’s experience in direction takes another leap forward to make
this production yet another milestone in his career.
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