Something to laugh about with Koluu

We know him for his outrageous costumes in drag, colourful nature and most of all his amazing and mouth-watering food… Yes, we're talking about the well-known Koluu who always manages to stand out in a crowd, with just about anything he does. Now, come May, TV viewers will hopefully have yet another aspect of Koluu to look forward to, a new show titled, 'Koluu Larger Than Life’.

Produced by Sonali Wijayaratna and directed by Sheahan Wijayaratna, this programme will be in Koluu's signature style. The 45-minute programme will be multi faceted, "with the main objective being entertainment," said Sonali. She along with well-known author Ashok Ferrey, who will be doing the bulk of the scripts for the show explained that the TV show will give coverage to events like new films and books, and basically anything happening around Sri Lanka, as well as an informative diary of future events, along with Koluu's forte, cooking tossed in.

The show will also feature musical items, skits and also Koluu in drag with some of his song and dance items! But, we are told the show will not touch on anything political.

What we want is for the viewer to laugh and enjoy the programme and look forward to the next episode, both Sonali and Ashok said, adding that it will be mostly adult humour which will be funny but provocative at the same time. Unscripted guest interviews as well as an 'Agony Aunt' segment will be featured on the show. Ashok went on to say that, people can send in their letters "if they dare" to the Agony Aunt segment of the show!

‘Koluu Larger Than Life’ presented by Amazing Events, is intended to be as original as possible. The idea for the TV show came about because it was felt that there is a necessity for entertainment on TV and this too, for English-speaking viewers. "The Sinhala channels have a few very good comedies, but there is nothing much for English-speaking viewers," said Ashok.

Both Sonali and Ashok feel that "everything is doom and gloom at the moment" and that "light hearted entertainment is seriously lacking". They stress, however, that this is not to take away from what's happening in Sri Lanka by any means. As Sonali and Ashok put it, "it's a fun thing - a mildly satirical look on Sri Lankan life". They are "tempted to push the limits," they laugh, however stressing that "one foot should remain on the floor."

As for the episodes and themes, they say they will flow with the tide. "Where ever life is - we'll be there.The humour will be mildly wicked,- one will have to read between the lines and then laugh.""Humour is universal," Ashok adds. "Humour can reach any type of audience, so long as one isn't malicious" then no harm is done.

Music for the show will be by Raj Senewiratne, while Indu Dharmasena will be involved in the skits. The costumes in drag will be by Chrysanthie Fernandopulle and Lou-Ching Wong, while Lou-Ching will also be handling the special effects for the show. Odel will supply a line of clothing for Koluu's usual clothes for the show and make-up will be handled by Yohann Peiris in some instances.

Not limiting themselves to a particular studio type environment, they intend shifting locations and by doing so, showcase Sri Lanka, highlighting the cultural and social scene through which they are hoping, even a tourist will watch the show and be interested to get to know the country a little bit more. No TV channel has been confirmed as yet but viewers can certainly keep their fingers crossed.