 ‘Dakina Dakina Mal’ marks 50th production for Sunil T.
by Ruwini Jayawardana
Award winning film and teledrama
actress Damitha Abeyratne will be seen on the wide screen once again
through V. Sivadasan’s latest movie ‘Dakina Dakina Mal’. The artiste who
walked away with international awards , Sarasaviya, SIGNIS and
Presidential awards for best actress for her performance in Inoka
Sathyangani’s ‘Sulang Kirilli’ and earned a fair share of applause for
‘Nisala Gira’ will play a pivotal role in the movie.
 Roshan Pilapitiya and Semini Iddamalgoda, Roger Seneviratne, Diluni
Mallawarachchi, Udeni Alwis, Hemantha Iriyagama, Sahan Wijesinghe, Anju
Bandara, Kapila Sigera, Sarath de Silva, Maduka Gunatileke, Sujeewa
Malkanthi and Nilanthi Dias are also part of the cast. Sagarika
Dharmapala makes her debut on cinema through the project which marks
producer Sunil T. Fernando’s 50th production.
The film was shot in locations in Kandy, Kalutara, Bandaragama,
Wadduwa and Colombo and is based on a true story.
Aravinda who is employed at an Advertising Agency is leading a happy
and contended life. He loves his wife and daughter and does not face any
economic difficulties. On the whole he is very satisfied. God had been
good to him but suddenly events unfold that shatters their happiness.
It all starts with his daughter’s illness. Research reveals that the
young lass is suffering from a heart disease. Heartbroken and bitter
about the turn of events, Aravinda finds no consolation from his wife
who breaks down over the incident. Enter Mandakini, a temptress, who
lures Aravinda into her trap. Charmed by her seductive nature, Aravinda
soon finds himself in deep trouble. Worse still, he discovers that
Mandakini is not only a seductress but a woman who had connections with
the underworld.
Director Sivadasan is no stranger to Sri Lankan cinema. With many
years of experience as a teledrama and filmmaker and films like ‘Hondin
Nethnam Narakin’, ‘Obe Mata Vishvasi’, ‘Edath Chandiya Adath Chandiya’
and ‘Oba Magema Vewa’ to his credit he had made a name as a popular
director in the field. After a 15 year long silence the filmmaker is
back with ‘Dakina Dakina Mal’.
 The script is by Nihal Bandara Jayatileke. Norbert Rathnasiri is the
cameraman, Kasun Malwattha is the editor, Priyantha Fernando is the
assistant director, Sarath Wijesekara is the production executive and
Sunil Wijedeva is the still photographer. Montague Sarachchandra is the
production coordinator. The art director is Sumith Hiran Fernando.
The music is by Somapala Ratnayake while the lyrics are penned by
Somapala Lilananda and Bandula Nanayakarawasam. Nirosha Virajini, Mohan
Raj Muththasami and Jayantha Ratnayake contribute in background vocals.
Naradha Godakumbura was in charge of the make up department and Sam
Perera with the hair styles.
“Though the movie was previously titled ‘Avare Tharakavi’ many told
me that ‘Dakina Dakina Ma’l is a better title. It is a suspense film
which revolves around a family,” Sivadasan commented on the movie. He
had been the laboratory chief at Vijaya Studios during the 1983 riots.
Having entered cinema with ‘Okkoma Rajawaru’ which starred Jeevan
Kumaratunga, Sanath Gunatileke and Nadeeka Gunasekara, Sivadasan turned
to teledramas later in his career. However he states that he is back
into filmmaking as he is currently working on another cinematic
creation.
‘Dakina Dakina Mal’ will begin unspooling in theaters soon. |
