TV Times

TV Times

Neil’s dramatic entry into cinema
Neil Ranjith Palliyaguruge the producer of Udayakantha Warnasuriya’s “Randiya Dahara” is a businessman with an interest in arts. Married to Chandani Palliyaguruge a graduate in the faculty of Aesthetic Studies affiliated to the University of Kelaniya, Neil realized his dream to be associated with the aesthetic world.

Seeking relaxation from his busy lifestyle Neil focused on the Sri Lankan cinematic field. He was disenchanted when he found that the industry was flooded with substandard and obscene films. This attracted him to produce films that will give a meaningful and constructive message to society. He had a vision of producing a children’s film but it didn’t become a reality because he was unable to find a good script.

Meeting Udayakantha Warnasuriya, a successful film director he found a good script and decided to produce his first film ‘Randiya Dahara’ although it didn’t belong to the children’s film genre. Neil said the invitation to Udayakantha to produce his first film was an enriching and exhilarating experience. He was of the view that his future in the film industry lay with efficient and competent film directors like Udayakantha.

‘Randiya Dahara’ is Udayakantha’s tenth cinematic production. Neil was all praise for Udayakantha. This director’s past works, Neil said, have been outstanding. The producer Neil said; I have given him a free hand in producing the film.

Neil acted his first main role at the age of 15 in a school play. “ I had this yearning to act from my young days and after that first appearance I was the most sought after character for school plays at the Battaramulla Subuthipura Maha Vidyalaya.

Chandani Palliyaguruge hopes to contribute for the choreography section in the films that Neil produces. This duo of Neil and Chandani have three children who too are interested in the cinematic field.“My eldest will join me in this field once he finishes his studies abroad”, Neil said in a parting remark.

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