Maharaja Gemunu
| Maharaja Gemunu | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jayantha Chandrasiri |
| Produced by | Gunapala Rathnasekara |
| Written by | Jayantha Chandrasiri |
| Starring |
Jackson Anthony Sriyantha Mendis Uddika Premarathna Shriyantha Mendis Kusum Renu Yashodha Wimaladharma Buddhi Vithanarachchi |
| Music by | Nadeeka Guruge |
| Cinematography | Ruwan Costa |
| Edited by | Ravindra Guruge |
| Distributed by | EAP Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 150 minutes |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Language | Sinhala |
| Budget | Rs 110 million |
Maharaja Gemunu is a Sinhala epic film directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri,[1] starring Jackson Anthony and Uddika Premarathna. The movie is based on a the odyssey of King Gemunu (reigned Sri Lanka from 161 BC to 137 BC) who is renowned for defeating and overthrowing Elara, the usurping Tamil prince from the Chola Kingdom, who had invaded the Kingdom of Rajarata in 205 BC.
Released on 23 January 2015, the film was highly acclaimed by critics and fans alike who considered it to be a landmark in Sinhala film-making and an achievement in the epic film genre.
Synopsis
King Elara was an extremely ambitious young man who used to be a soldier and a spy under King Kharawela of Kalinga, who ruled Southern Kingdoms of India during second century B.C. Lately, this same young man arrives at Lankadveepa in the guise of an overseas naval chief to invade and thereby threaten the prosperity of the Kingdom. Although Elara wins the Kingdom of Rajarata after having killed King Asela, there were two things that constantly bothering him. Firstly, the kingdom of Ruhuna that continued to be independent and therefore out of the menacing clutches of the invader. Secondly, a certain prophecy inscribed by King Devanampiyatissa.
After many years, the Machiavellian Advisor of Elara, Bhattara finds the inscribed prophecy which alludes to a King called Gamani Abhaya (Dutu Gemunu) who would secure the Kingdom of Rajarata and build a massive pagoda (dageba) at the center of it. Soon after, Bhattara along with Elara starts scheming sly tactics against the prophecy. However, as the Son of King Kavantissa and Queen Vihara Mahadevi and thus the rightful heir to the throne, King Gamani Abhaya implements war strategies overpowering the counter tactics of Elara and every other battle plan witnessed by King Gamani Abhaya's contemporary world.
For the sake of the spiritual ideology he held and for the country painted in that ideology, King Gamani vanquishes Elara yet he doesn't let the people forget the humanity that was rooted within the enemy, thus King Gamani universalizes his own profound humanity to a great deal.
Cast
- Uddika Premarathna as Gamani Abhaya (Dutu Gemunu)
- Jackson Anthony as King Elara
- Shriyantha Mendis as King Kavan Tissa
- Kusum Renu as Viharamahadevi
Release and reception
The film released on 23 January 2015 on the EAP Circuit[2] of cinema halls.