TV Times

TV Times

Rupavahini felicitates Master
By Susitha R. Fernando
A line up of outstanding films in the Sri Lankan cinema, which were musically coloured by maestro Premasiri Khemadasa are to be screened during the month of February on the Rupavahini Channel.

The Khemadasa Felicitation Film Festival, organised by Sri Lankan National Rupavahini will telecast films on four Fridays at 9.35 pm. Lester James Peries’ ‘Weera Puran Appu’ will be screened on February 4 and it will cinside with the Independence Day.

Ravindra Randeniya, Malani Fonseka and Tissa Abeysekere played the main roles in ‘Weera Puran Appu’ On February 11, versatile Dharmasiri Bandaranayake’s ‘Hansa Vilak’ will be screened.

Bandaranayake’s maiden film was rated among the best ten Sri Lankan films made during the first half century of Sri Lankan cinema. Swarna Mallawarachchi, Wasanthi Chathurani, Henry Jayasena and Dharmasiri himself played the lead roles and the film comprised the popular song ‘Hemin Sare Piya Vida’ written by W. Jayasiri and sung by T. M. Jayaratne and Sunila Abeysekera. This song was one of the unforgettable songs presented to Sri Lankan film music by Khemadasa’s innovative music.

Dharmasena Pathiraja’s ‘Paradige’, which was made based on a script by novelist Ajith Thilakasena will be screened on February 18. Vijaya Kumaratunge played the lead role portraying the character of ‘Chandare’ opposite Indira Johnklass.

The film festival also brings the first ever public screening of international film ‘Thousand Flowers’. The film which did not get any public screening in any theatre nor TV channel comprises a Malaysian and Indonesian cast.

In memory of Gamini
Meanwhile by popular request, Rupavahini Corporation has organised another film festival in memory of the late film legend Gamini Fonseka playing the lead roles.

Four films scheduled for the month of February include three films directed by Sena Samarasinghe and musical score written by Sarath Dassanayake.

The film is by J. Selvanayagam with music by M. K. Roksamy and W. D. Ameradeva and it will be released on Sunday on the 12 noo belt.
‘Yali Hamuwennai’ starring Gamini, Sabeetha Perera and Sriyani Amarasena will be screened on Sunday, February 6 and ‘Nilla Soya’ in which Gamini played opposite Mnel Wanaguru will be telecast on February 13.

‘Sagara Peraliya’ in which Gamini played with an international cast will be screened on February 20. All these three films comprises popular songs sung by Milton Mallawarachchi and Gratian Ananda.

The film ‘Sahanaya’ directed by J. Selvaratnam in which Gamini played opposite Malani Fonseka will be screened on February 27. The film has the popular song ‘Sihina Nelum Mala Jeewithe’ melody written and sung by Ameradeva to the words of late lyricist Dharmasiri Gamage.

The Rupavahini also has scheduled three Bollywood films and a Film Award ceremony for the month of February to be telecast every Saturday at 9.45 pm.

The film ‘Ameer Akbar Antony’ played by Amithab Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor and Parvin Babi will be screened on February 5. The ‘Babi’ on February 19 and ‘Jungle’ played by Fardeen Kahn , Urmila Mathodkar and Sunil Shetti on February 26. 10th Annual Star Screen Bollywood award ceremony will be screened on February 12.

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