The film is a result of extensive travels and working with the people on the ground-M. Safeer
View(s):M. Safeer who had dedicated his entire life for theatre and creating theatre groups, grooming young theatre artistes and organising international theatre festival said that his first filmmaking was to start on December 28, 2004 but it had to be cancelled with the tragic Tsunami disaster on December 26.
“The project had to be delayed for nearly 15 years, until early 2020. However my film dream was realised with the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020,” Safeer said describing about his entry to cinema.
“The challenge I had was to convert my three decade long experience in theatre to cinema because I had not done a short film or anything related to filmmaking,” Safeer who tours to India, Bangladesh and other countries to teach theatre said.
The theme for the film was as result of Safeer’s extensive travelling around the country, training theatre groups and working with the people on the ground. “It was not only producing dramas but I gained much experience with regard to people in almost all the parts of Sri Lanka. We were able to bridge people from North to South and from the upcountry to the coastal areas,” he said.
It was these extensive experiences that were converted to a cinema. Using a woman and a driver who travel around Sri Lanka, Safeer makes a story based on the social and cultural diversity of the people who live in one country.
Safeer was extremely happy about the two main stars Dilhani Ashokamala and Sanjeewa Upendra, who were in his mind when he was writing the script.
“Dilhani is one of the most experienced and professional stars we have. The two stars were exceptionally professional I didn’t have to go for many repeat ‘takes’”.
Safeer is ready to release his film at the international festivals and also in Sri Lankan cinemas as soon as he completes it. “I want the people here to see this film but I also want to take it to the world,” he said.