‘Ayu’ celebrates 74th anniversary of Lankan cinema
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‘ ‘Ayu’ Chathra Weeraman’s newest film after his successful ‘Aloka Udapadi’ was screened on January 22 at Savoy Cinema, Wellawatta in celebration of the 74th anniversary of Sri Lankan cinema. The film is the maiden production by General (retired) Daya Rathnayake.
During the event, all the directors, producers, actors, actresses, technical and non-technical staff, immensely contributed to the Sri Lankan film industry representing different ethnic groups like Sinhala, Tamil, Malay, Muslim and Burgher but who are no more now remembered in a special way. A presentation of a special award of appreciation to the ‘Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema’ Dr. Malani Fonseka for her 155th acting contribution in her glorious career over five decades too was also done. It was presented by the guest of honor, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhana and the others who attended the event were State Minister of National Heritage, Performing Arts and Rural Arts Promotion Vidura Wickramanayake, Chairman of National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka, Mr. Jayantha Dharmadasa, Producer of AYU, General Daya Rathnayaka, Group Director of Ben Holdings, Mr. G. T. Jayaseelan on behalf of EAP movies, Director of AYU, Mr. Chathra Weeraman, Director of Weeraman Brothers, Mr. Saman Weeraman, Chairman of Independence Television Network, Mr. Sudath Rohana along with part-sponsor of the award and Chairman of FLEXPORT, Dr. Nandadasa Narayana.
The event was also graced by Dr. Rewant Vikram Singh, Director of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre and a limited number of guests including print, electronic and social media representatives complying with COVID-19 health regulatory requirements.
Presented by Weeraman Brothers, story of ‘Ayu’ is by Saman Weeraman and the film’s stellar cast includes Sandra Mack, Jagath Manuwarna, Malani Fonseka, Ashan Dias, KenaraWiratunga, Samanalee Fonseka, Sampath Jayaweera, Priyantha Sirikumara, Thumindu Dodantenna, Nalin Lusena, Udara Abeysundara, Kasuni Kavindi Fernando, Akalanka Prabashwara, Dinushika Senevirathne and Thiwanka Ranasinghe.
Behind the screen, Kalinga Deshapriya handles cinematography, Chamara Selara as assistant director, Bimal Dushmantha in production designing, Saman Alvitigala in film editing, MilindaTennakone in music, Harsha Manjula and Haroon Shaideen in makeup department, Sasika Marasinghe in sound department, Dinindu Jagoda and Lahiru Madhushanka in editorial department, Kumara Karawdeniya in costume designing, Shehan Obeysekara in production photography, Iresh Karunarathne, Primal Ranasinghe and Sashika Ganegodage in Production Management and Anuradha Weeraman as the Associate Producer.
‘Ayu’ brings a companionate love story of a young man and a woman brought together by their fate. Together they set on an intriguing journey of soul-search over the hustle of material life.
The film is to be released
in theatres soon.