Rodney introduces award winning debut stars
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Rodney Vidanapathirana’s film ‘Ira Sevaya’ actor Ishara Pamuditha Wickremesinghe was awarded the Best Up and Coming Actor of the year at the recently held Sarasavi Film Festival in Colombo. Ishara played a leading role as a monk and a young man who faces challenges and suffering in his life.
As a budding actor, it is a great achievement for Ishara for getting this award for his debut role. He made many sacrifices for his role including shaving his head. He contributed immensely with the performance in the film.
“I’m personally happy that the three actors won awards for acting their debut roles in cinema and miniscreen” Rodney said speaking to the TV Times. “Raja Sumanapala won his first award acting as Ali Jamis in my teledrma ‘Hathe Wasama’ at Sumathi awards and later Wimal Alahakone won his first award playing in my ‘Hemanthe Wasanthe’ teledrama.
In addition Jagath Chamila who acted in Hathe Wasama was nominated for the Best Up and coming actor award.
“As a director I’m pleased with their performances and glad about their achievements” he said.
Veteran journalist, lyricist and teledrama director Rodney Vidanapathirana made this film as a Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom co-production and was screened last year. The film revolves around a wealthy aristocrat who dreams of entering politics despite opposition by his own family and it shows how the elite class tries to maintain its social status by joining the political bandwagon.
Produced by Kanthi Alahakone, is also the cinematic creation in which talented actress Rebecca Nirmalee played her last performance. Others in the cast include Wimal Alahakone, Maureen Charuni, Ishara Wickremasinghe, Stanley Krisharathna, Gamini Samarakone, Tissa Bandaranayake, Wilman Sirimanna, Malani Kathirasinghe and Ranjith Ranasinghe.
‘Ira Sevaya’ is edited by Viranga Katapearachchi and Madura Prasad. Art direction is by Ranjith Ranasinghe, make up by Narada Thotagamuwa and Manoj Peiris directed the musical score while Kithsiri Jayasekara and Chandraratne Ileperuma did the playback. Story, screenplay and direction of the film is by Rodney Vidanapathirana.
