 Sandun brings ‘Uththara’
by Ruwini Jayawardana
Assistant director turned
director Sandun Rajakaruna’s maiden movie ‘Uththara’ had completed
shooting and is ready for release. The movie stars Suraj Mapa in the
lead backed by significant characters portrayed by Sanath Gunatileke,
Upeksha Swarnamali, Janith Wickramage, Sahan Ranwala, Sarath Chandrasiri,
Anton Jude, Shan Bandu Weerasinghe, Daya Alwis, Maureen Charuni, Vishaka
Siriwardena, Rebecca Nirmalee, Kumara Thirimadura and others.
Though she had already made an appearance in ‘Dancing Star’,
‘Uththara’ is the actual production which introduces Hashini Gonagala to
Sri Lankan cinema. Hashini who turned many heads partnering Dushyanth
Weeraman in his dance acts, was flooded with offers for movie roles but
finally it was ‘Uththara’ which she settled on because of its energetic
dance sequences and foot-tapping melodies.
“I am thrilled to be chosen for the role. It is not everybody who
gets such a big break in the early period of their life.
Even Malini Fonseka entered cinema at a tender age and made it big in
the field through bagging noteworthy projects and experience,” related
the enthusiastic 17-year-old who had learnt dancing under
internationally renowned choreographer Channa Wijewardena.
She said that she had been chosen for the role after Suraj had
proposed her name to Rajakaruna.
“Uththara is a lot like me. She had an undying passion for the arts.
Though she is the daughter of a minister, she goes on her way to help
out an immensely gifted youth for the sake of bringing his talent to the
limelight,” she opined on the role she took up in the project.
The film relates a touching love story instilled in a political
backdrop. He is Shanilka who had devoted his heart and life to music
while she is Uththara, a beautiful young girl whose very existence is
linked with his destiny. The movie unfolds with a romantic note till
social forces bar their path. Uththara and Shanilka are faced with
trials, obstacles and heartache which challenge the foundation of their
romance. Will their love stand the test?
Rajakaruna who had entered the scene with Eranga Senaratne’s
‘Dipashika’ said that he had worked under more than 20 teledrama
directors and movie-makers such as Thusitha de Silva, Dee Gee Somapala,
Janaka Siriwardena and Jayalath Manoratne.
“I have observed their techniques and learnt from each of them. This
helped me learn the ropes on how to direct a movie of my own. I am
grateful for their guidance and advice,” he noted.
The movie is produced by lawyer Vajira Rajapaksa on behalf of Sinelka
Films while Mahesh Rathsara Maddumarachchi handled the screenplay.
Rohana Weerasinghe is in charge of the music while Uresha Ravihari,
Pradeep Rangana, Bathiya Jayakody and Kasun Kalhara contributed with the
vocals. The lyrics were penned by Bandula Nanayakkarawasam, Mahesh
Rathsara Madummarachchi and Kalum Srimal.
Chandana Dharmapriya handled the camera, Chamikara Bokaragoda the art
direction, Narada Dhananji Thotagamuwa the make-up and Manjula Prasanga
is the assistant director, Maduranga Jayakody is the project’s
production manager.
‘Uththara’ was shot in a number of picturesque locations in the
island including Colombo, Matale and Nuwara Eliya.
Jacky a natural on the silver screen
by Nilma Dole
Feeling excited but nervous as
to how it would be like to watch Sri Lanka’s first successful Bollywood
actress, Miss Sri Lanka 2006 Jacqueline Fernandez shakes the silver
screen for the first time in ‘Aladin’, I was quite impressed. She not
only looked good but her acting was realistic. Of course, she didn’t
have that veteran acting streak that Ashwariya Rai has but since the
role of Jasmine was her acting debut, her performance exceeded
expectations.
 Her crash course in Hindi definitely worked and even though her voice
was dubbed, she did the perfect pronunciation of Hindi on screen.
Jacky’s smile, grace and her screen chemistry with her acting certainly
will take her a long way in her acting career with her future smiling
hopefully, from Hollywood.
The magical and happy-go-lucky film was certainly action-packed with
amazing special effects. The songs composed ‘You May Be’ and the ‘O Re
Sawaariya’ sung by renowned actor Amitabh Bachchan A.K.A. Big B, were
certainly heart-melting and toe-tapping.
The story takes us to Khawaish, a cute little town where Prof Arun
Chatterjee and his wife Riya live with their son Aladin and grandpa. One
day Prof.Arun goes on a trip to the snowny mountains in an attempt to
find a magic lamp and save the world. Aladin finds the lamp because his
heart is pure, he rubs it and the genie of the lamp Genius (Big B)
appears.
However, the bad guy Ringmaster (played by Sanjay Dutt) appears, he
bribes them to surrender the lamp Aladin’s parents die. Aladin
Chatterjee grows up as an orphan and he is constantly bullied by his
schoolmates who make fun of him and force him to rub lamps in the hope
of seeing a genie appear.
One day, a beautiful girl named Jasmine comes to his college as an
exchange student from the U.S. Aladin falls in love with her immediately
but so does his biggest bully Kasim. But on Aladin’s birthday something
strange happens and the movie all of a sudden takes a magic turn.
Genius appears, grants Aladin three wishes which are wasted on trying
to make Jasmine fall in love with him. Ultimately, Jasmine doesn’t need
convincing to fall in love with Aladin and they are happy together. This
is until the Ringmaster’s revenenge from Genius nearly kills Aladin. In
the end, the Ringmaster is defeated, Genius is set free and Aladin and
Jasmine live happily ever after. Certainly a lovely romantic story with
the right action and special magic to make you feel magical.
‘Aladin’ is currently being screened at the Majestic Cinema!
‘This is It’ now on! Michael Jackson’s mega movie ‘This is it’ is now
being shown at the Liberty Cinema so make sure you check it out now! |
