Maharaja Gemunu
| Maharaja Gemunu (2015) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Jayantha Chandrasiri |
| Produced by | Gunapala Rathnasekara |
| Written by | Jayantha Chandrasiri |
| Starring |
Jackson Anthony Sriyantha Mendis Uddika Premarathna Shriyantha Mendis Kusum Renu Yashoda Wimaladharma Buddhi Vithanarachchi |
| Music by | Nadeeka Guruge |
| Cinematography | Ruwan Costa |
| Edited by | Ravindra Guruge |
| Distributed by | EAP Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 150 minutes |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Language | Sinhala |
| Budget | Rs 110 million |
Maharaja Gemunu is a Sinhala epic film directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri,[1] starring Jackson Anthony and Uddika Premarathna. The movie is based on the odyssey of King Gemunu (ruler of Sri Lanka from 161 BC to 137 BC) who is renowned for defeating and overthrowing Elara, the usurping Tamil prince from the Chola Kingdom, who had invaded the Kingdom of Rajarata in 205 BC.
Released on 23 January 2015, the film was highly acclaimed by critics and fans alike, who considered it to be a landmark in Sinhala film-making and an achievement in the epic film genre.
Synopsis
King Elara is a former soldier and spy under King Kharawela of Kalinga, who rules the Southern Kingdoms of India during the second century BC. Elara arrives at Lankadveepa, in the guise of an overseas naval chief, in order to threaten the prosperity of the Kingdom. Elara is victorious against the Kingdom of Rajarata, having killed King Asela. However, he is not satisfied with his victory because the kingdom of Ruhuna continues to be independent and he is haunted by a prophecy inscribed by King Devanampiyatissa.
Bhattara, an advisor to Elara, found the inscribed prophecy which alluded to a King named Gamani Abhaya (Dutu Gemunu) who would later secure the Kingdom of Rajarata and build a massive pagoda (dageba) at its center. Bhattara and Elara scheme against the prophecy. However King Gamani Abhaya, the Son of King Kavantissa and Queen Vihara Mahadevi, deploys strategies to overcome the tactics of Elara.
King Gamani vanquishes Elara. However, because of his spiritual ideology he does not allow his people to forget the humanity that was rooted within the enemy, an act which universalizes King Gamani's profound humanity.
Cast
- Uddika Premarathna as Gamani Abhaya (Dutu Gemunu)
- Jackson Anthony as King Elara
- Shriyantha Mendis as King Kavan Tissa
- Kusum Renu as Queen Viharamahadevi
- Yashoda Wimaladharma as Queen Dharatri (Elara 's wife)
- Saranga Disasekara as Saddha Tissa
- Tharuka Wanniarachchi as young Queen Viharamahadevi
- Buddhadasa Vithanarachchi as Monk Mahasiva
- Sandun Bandara as Bhattara
- Ajith Weerasinghe as Nandimithra
- Damitha Abeyratne as Rohini
- Buddhini Purnima as Kathee (later Queen Consort of King Dutu Gemunu)
Release and reception
The film premiered on 23 January 2015 in EAP Circuit[2] cinema halls.
Music
The music for Maharaja Gemunu was composed by Nadeeka Guruge, with lyrics written by Jayantha Chandrasiri and Rev. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sanda Payanne (Title Song)" | Nadeeka Guruge and the crew | 5.27 |
| 2. | "Sanda Mandala Vee" | Nirosha Virajini | 2.19 |
| 3. | "Aranyani Devduwa Avidin" | Chandrika Siriwandhana, Dilika Abesekara | 6.01 |
Awards and Nominations
Hiru Golden Film Awards 2016
- Most Popular Movie
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female) - Kusum Renu as Queen Viharamahadevi
- Best Playback Singer (Female) - Nirosha Virajini for the song "Sanda Mandala Vee"
- Best Lyricist - Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana for the song "Sanda Mandala Vee"
- Special Jury Award - Jakson Anthony as King Elara
References
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ↑ "EAP Films and Theaters Private Limited". Eapmovies.com. Retrieved 2016-06-24.