TV Times

TV Times

‘Dinky’ stopped again
By Susitha R. Fernando
Production of the children’s film, based on Fr. Don Peter’s book 'Dinki', which was competitively selected as the best script and approved for the loan scheme given by the National Film Corporation (NFC) was forced to stop again.
The script which was selected an year ago for the loan scheme had several set backs earlier and during the period of former NFC chairman Sunil S. Sirisena the filmmaker was promised Rs. 6 million to complete the film.

Speaking to the TV Times director Nanda Imbulgoda complained that he was forced, which was promised earlier. ‘It was unfair that the NFC is refusing to release funds to start the film as last November at a ceremony held with the participation of Cultural Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena’ Mr. Imbulgoda lamented.

‘Former NFC chairman promised me to provide Rs. 6 million to start the production and I was instructed to organise the Muhurath ceremony simultaneously to the opening of the refurbished NFC building at No. 224 Bullers road last November 10. Then I was informed that signing of the documents with regard to the film direction, preproduction funds could be provided and artistes involved in the film could be paid their advance money’ the film director said.

"But no signing of documents or anything with regard to handing over took place at this event in which large number of artistes who were to join the film were present" Nanda Imbulgoda complained. "However at this ceremony in public I was handed over a document which stated that I would be awarded Rs. 6 million to do the film and there no payment was made," Imbulgoda further said. "The disheartened artistes who left the NFC building that day," the filmmaker said.

"However NFC official apologised for what happened there and promised me to provide the money within the same month." Nanda Imbulgoda said that he started the preproduction work from his pocket hoping that he would get money from the NFC.

‘But the present NFC chairman had refused to make the payment to make the payment for the film," Imbulgoda said. Nanda Imbulgoda said the present NFC chairman Ashoka Serasinghe giving an interview to a had stated that there was no better script to release fund and he was willing to give money to another director who had made children films earlier’.

‘I have already spent money for some of the preproduction work and if my script was not suitable why was it choose earlier? And is there anything that is not suitable for children? Or is in anything else?’ Mr. Imbulgoda questions.
The film director said he tried to meet the Chairman Mr. Serasinghe several times but he was not able to.

‘What I understood was there are large scale irregularities had taken place and I have already lodged a complaint to the Bribery Commission regarding this’ he claimed.

Questioned about this from the present NFC chairman Ashoka Serasinghe told the TV Times, that all the script approved to grant loan was stopped. He said that all the money given for earlier films was not repaid and the films were financially failures.

‘NFC had the discretion to decide whether to accept or stop even former approval for loan scheme,’ the Chairman said. ‘These are public finances and we have to be responsible. If we could give this money to recognised director we would be able make successful film. We are please to give this money to a director like Somaratne Dissanayake’ Mr. Serasinghe stated.

Asked as whether was not its the responsibility of the NFC to give opportunity to filmmakers who were not recognised the NFC chairman quarried as to what would be the guarantee that Mr. Imbulgoda's film would be success. The NFC Chairman also denied Mr. Imbulgoda coming to meet him. In addition Mr. Serasinghe said that he was planning to import foreign children films.

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