Janitha : From importer to producer

Famous for the import of box office hit Bollywood movies to the country, film importer and distributor Janitha Marasinghe's maiden production 'Mago-Digo-Dai' was launched last week. A comedy, directed by Lal Priyadeva, Janitha says "Producing a film was one of my childhood dreams come true,".

"Years ago I joined the cinema with the sole idea of producing a film. But this was deferred on the good advice of a few including filmmaker Udayakantha Warnasuriya who asked me to learn cinema before keeping hands on it. That is how I started importing films," Janitha said. Janitha had earlier co-produced 'Ran Kewita' and 'Le Kiri Kandulu'.

Describing why he selected Lal Priyadeva, Janitha said "Once I was passing Kegalle and I saw a long queue to see a film which I had imported and starring Sharuk Khan. I was very happy until I released that I was wrong as the queue was not for my film but Lal Priyadeva's "Ali Petiyo Oyai Mamai' which was being screened in the adjoining cinema. I was not sad but glad that we too have filmmakers who could make films beating films starring Sharuk Khan," Janitha said with a smile on his face.

"Anyway I will continue to import good family movies while focusing mainly on film production in future," the new producer said. Famous for making low budget films, director Lal Priyadeva addressing the gathered participants at the Muhurath said that he was honoured by being invited to do a high budgeted film. "The money will help us to make a technically high quality film," Priyadeva said.

The leading cast will include Vijaya Nandasiri, Sanath Gunathilaka, Gamini Susiriwardana, Anarkalli Aakarssha, Ronnie Leitch, Anton Jude, Duminda Weerawardane, Keerthi Ranjith Peiris, Sarath Chandrasiri, Sarath Dikkumbura, Tennyson Edirisinghe, Srimath Indrajith Liyanage, D.B. Gangodatenne and others. Superstar famed singer Gamini Susiriwardana will make his debut himself as an actor in this film.

While Donald Jayantha assists in the direction, Yapa Wijebandara will be in charge of the camera while award-winning Ranjith de Silva will handle the art direction.