The Return of the ‘Soorayo’

For the first time in the history of world cinema, after 37 years a film being remade by the same producer and director with the Neil Rupasinghe remake of 'Hathara Denama Soorayo'. Completed with the newest cast of the young and the talented from the present generation, the film has been completed and is slotted for release from February 29.

‘Just as the remake of the film, February 29 is a special day as it falls only once in four years’ said Mr. Rupasinghe speaking about the selection of the release date for the much awaited re-production. While Regal- Colombo and Lido Borella will be the main cinemas in Colombo, the film will also be released in 24 other CEL cinemas around the country.

Originally released in 1971, the cast of the film included the most popular artistes of that era such as, Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaranathunga, Anthony C. Perera and Senadheera Rupasinghe supported by female artistes, Malini Fonseka, Sriyani Amarasena and Agra Sanjewani Alwis and Babara Fernando.

Today, in the remake of the film, Buddika Jayarathne takes Gamini's role and Roshan Pilapitiya takes Wijaya Kumaranathunga's piece, Jagath Chamila takes Anthony C. Perera's part and Amila Abeysekara takes Senadera's place. Of the female characters, Chathurika Peiris replaces Malani Fonseka and Kanchana Mendis replaces Sriyani Amarasena. Manjula Thilini takes Agra Sanjewani's role and Nadesha Alahapperuma does Babara's character whilst Chinthaka Kulatunga dons Lionel Daraniyagala's character and finally, Dulika Marapana does Pearl Wasudewa's piece.

Nadeeka Gunasekara, Tissa Wijesurendra, Teddy Vidyalankara, Tyrone Michael, Chandika Nanayakkara and Chinthaka Kulathunga and others play the main roles in 'Hathara Denama Soorayo'. 'I am very satisfied with the present cast and they gave immense support and cooperation for the remake of the film which was a box office hit in the 1970s.

Neil Rupasinghe who was away from film making for over 25 years has returned with the world record of remaking a film with the same theme by the same producer and director. And on his return, director Rupasinghe joined hands with two young producers Lalantha Watudura and Dr. Malcom Stanislaus to produce this film.

Rupasinghe who was a popular film director and producer in the 1970's produced several films, most of which became instant crowd pullers. He started his film career in 1969 with the film Danmathakada at the age of 22 and was the youngest film Producer and Director at that time in Sri Lanka. And his successful filmmaking career followed with 'Hatharadenama Surayo', 'Adarehithenawa Dakkama', 'Lassana Kella', 'Yakadaya', 'Saradiyalge Putha' and 'Amalbisso'.

In the 80's he left the film industry and got himself involved in active politics. In the year 1994 he became a Member of Parliament representing the Wattala constituency and later was appointed as a Deputy Minister and continued to hold office till 2004.

However much to the happy augury of the film industry and the fans, director Rupasinghe, who took a long exit from the industry has come back to the industry again with much vigor, after 28 years. The result is, the re-birth of the 'Hathara Denama Soorayo'. The updates of the release will be available through film website which was launched parallel to the production www.4denamasoorayo.com.