 Opposites attract
by Ruwini Jayawardana
 Imagine a heartbroken youth
forced to spend time with a talkative girl just because she had missed
her train while trying to convince him to continue with life rather then
commit suicide.
This partly comical yet serious tone is the essence of renowned
director Ananda Wickramasinghes newest movie ‘Hadawatha Mal Yayai’ which
is screening at Regal Colombo and CEL circuit cinemas islandwide.
The much awaited movie stars the bubbly Chathurika Peries and Channa
Perera in lead roles witn a notable dose of comedy coming from the likes
of Tennyson Coorey. The cast also includes Sanath Gunatilleke, Rajeve
Nanayakkara, Mahinda Pathirage, Rathna Sumanapala, Anushie Warnasooriya
and Srimath Indrajith Liyanage.
‘Hadawatha Mal Yayai’ relates a heartwarming tale of how two
individuals with personalities, which are poles apart, who start off as
friends and are emotionally bound together. Lihini is a happy-go-lucky
character emerging from a rich family. Himal is also from the upper
class but he is more reserved and moody. Naturally when the two meet
there are a lot of fireworks. Lihini misses her train while trying to
save Himal and he finds himself trapped in her company when she informs
him that it is his responsibility to see her home. The story traces
their journey across picturesque landscapes where the two discover each
other and understand the meaning of love and friendship.
 “ ‘Hadawatha Mal Yayai’ does not comprise heroes or villains. It is
not the typical love story in which the hero has to win over the heroine
and plead for her hand in marriage from her parents while warding off
the villain. All the characters embody simple characteristics and are
lovable in their own manner,” Wickramasinghe commented on his tenth
movie. He had previously made movies much as ‘Satana’, ‘Danaya’,
‘Yasasa’ and ‘Sergeant Nalla Tambhi’. All of them had short titles but
he says that his latest movie had been given that title with a reason.
 “One of the phrases of the title song grabbed my attention while I
was thinking of a suitable title. That is how the name took shape,” he
explained while adding that he had worked with two generations of actors
in the movie.
The movie was produced by Thilak Kodikara and was shot on locations
in Colombo, Ingiriya and Kuruwita. M A Gafoor was the cameraman while M
S Aliman was the editor. The music was composed by Ranga Dassanayake
while the background scores were set by Indrejit Merihana. Saman
Chandranath Weerasinghe penned the lyrics. Sanka Prasad choreographed
the dance acts and Gamini Bandara was the art director. The costumes are
by Ramani Alakolange and the hairstyles are by Lalith Dharmawardena.
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