Gira enters cinema

Talented teledrama and stage actor, scriptwriter of popular comedy TV serials Giriraj Kaushalya enters cinema with 'Sikuru Hathe' a production by the 'New Imperial Talkies'.

Giriraj Kaushalya

The Muhurath ceremony was held last week with participation of the cast comprising leading artistes in cinema at New Imperial Talkies at Braybrooke Place, Colombo-2.

The film an action comedy revolving around a Kapuwa, the traditional matchmaker who faces a dilemma in finding a partner for his own daughter. The film also highlights how this traditional profession is threatened by the new technology.

The film is also the first production by Mr. Hans Anton Van Starrex, the proprietor of the NIT, a well-known film importer and distributor. "The NIT has been importing films from the time when films were shown in tents. But this is the first time they are making a film" said the new director.

Enacting a scene from the film

Having written scripts for a number of TV comedies like 'Kathura' and 'Ethuma' Giriraj at first was invited to write the script for NIT. "On the request I wrote the script and got my remuneration too. About a year later I was invited to make a film with the script," said an elated Giriraj.

"But before I took up this offer there were several conditions they had to fulfil like cast I wanted to employ and technology I wanted to use. Coming to an agreement with the producer I accepted it with enthusiasm. In a way I think I am fortunate to direct a film with a producer like NIT who met my demand cordially".

The film is to star a comprehensive cast with Vijaya Nandasiri playing the protagonist as Kapuwa and Rodney Warnakula, Priyantha Seneviratne, Anton Jude, Hemantha Iriyagoda, Susila Kottage, Tony Ranasinghe, Veena Jayakody, Suraj Mapa, Anarkalee Akarsha, Himali Saurangi and Lalith Janakantha playing lead roles.

The team behind the ‘Sikuru Hathe’ at the Muhurath ceremony

‘Not only the stellar cast even for one scene roles are played by well-known faces like Saratha Kothalawela, Sarath Chandrasiri, Vasantha Vittachchi, Ajith Lokuge and Lal Kularatne. They came forward to support me in my project and this gave me confidence’ said Giriraj.

The technical crew set up by Manoj Wickremasinghe as art director, Imal Shanaka Perera as make up artiste, Newton Gunasekara as assistant director and Tharupathi Munasinghe as the director of music score.

On an idea by the director 'Sikuru Hathe' has three songs which are completely different from each other. They are music directed by three welknown names Rohana Weerasinghe, Navaratne Gamage and Tharupathi Munasinghe and are sung by Sunil Perera, Kasun Kalhara, Rodney Warnakula, Bandula Wijeweera and Uresha Ravihari.