TV Times

With the direction of his debut film 'Sankara’, Prasanna Jayakody has ventured into the world of cinema. Filmed on location in Sri Lanka and completing its preproduction ‘Sankara’ has been sent to India to complete post-production work.

'Sanda Amawakai', 'Nisala Wila', 'Ima Diya Mankada' and 'Hada Wila Sakmana' are the award winning teleramas that Prasanna has directed for the mini-screen.

Prasanna's debut venture is a study of the human mind. Carrying a theme that is closer to Buddhist teaching the film discusses the eternal suffering and unhappiness due to the tendency that man has for craving. "What I have tried to depict here is the unending sorrow that follows man due to this attachment. And the film is an in-depth study of the human mind that tends to change every moment," said Prasanna.

Elaborating on the techniques he used to present an experience that has a universal message his characters are a monk named Ananda Thera Wangeesha and Upamalee. The rising action starts from a basic situation with the entrance of monk to a temple where there were beautiful paintings set in a rural village. This is developed with several incidents that go to make a full study of the man discussing his disposition of mind, heart and body.

For Prasanna, making a film is a dream of ten years coming true. "I first wrote the script hoping to direct a film ten years ago when I was just 27. But now I am 37. The original script I wrote then was not relevant. I had to rewrite it changing it completely," Prasanna added.

Unable to find a producer Prasanna kept his dream close to his heart and finally it materialized, when Somaratne Dissanayake and Renuka Balasuriya offered to sponsor his film, his maiden effort at filmmaking.

Sri Lankan audience are in for a novel experience as the four main roles in this film including Thumindu Dodenthenna, Sachini Ayendra and Nilupa Heenkenda who will make their first appearance on the silver screen.

‘The cast I have chosen are not big names. I did it on purpose to give the audience an innovative experience’ Prasanna said.

Palitha Perera as the cameraman, Sunil Wijeyratne as art director, Priyantha Sirikumara as the make-up artiste and Ravindra Guruge as the editor join, Prasanna in making 'Sankara'. The next step is adding music which is a vital aspect to this film as sound plays an important role in awakening emotions effectively. Young musician Nadeeka Guruge handles the music.

With Prasanna, his wife Ruchira Madhawi and Sumudhu Chinthaka joined in writing the script.

Speaking of his experience and transition from the miniscreen to the wide screen, Prasanna Jayakody says it was just like the width, breadth and depth that exist between two screens. Presentation is quite different from almost all the aspects such as filming, script, sound editing and music.

The young director said that the shooting location was very successful as he got the fullest support from his cast and the crew as well as from the people in the area.

Prasanna thanked producers Somaratne Dissanayake and Renuka Balasuriya of Cine Film Lanka who sponsored him to realize his dream in making a film.

Speaking on the direction he said that he was quite satisfied with the outcome as he received complete coordination from cast and crew making it possible to complete shooting on location in Thanamalwila in a 35-day-schedule.