TV Times

TV Times

Ranjan’s ‘Saadhu’ views the world market
By Susitha R. Fernando
Actor Ranjan Ramanayake is hoping to reach the international market with ‘Saadhu’, a film to be done with a foreign cast and a crew. Ranjan’s third directorial effort portrays the events in the Aranayake massacre of Buddhist monks and would be released in London and India with its Tamil dubbed copies. Ranjan has made arrangements to secure the services of Indian actress of ‘Fire’ fame, Nanditha Das and Sim Ran and Meena while for the technical crew famous Indian cameraman Moorthy would handle ‘Ari-3’ cinemascope camera imported from Prasad Lab in India.

The shooting is scheduled in locations both in Sri Lanka and abroad. Locations shooting in London and Tibet will be done for the foreign scenes while local scenes in and around the areas of Puttalam, Udappu and Kalpitiya would be arranged.

The producer of ‘Saadhu’, Bevan Perera, a Sri Lankan living in London who also had arranged the international release has estimated a massive budget of nearly Rs. 15 million as the cost.

The story is based on the Aranthalawa monk massacre. It would be incorporated with the story of ‘Siddartha’, a monk who while in Tibet had studied the teachings of Dalai Lama and developed his mind through meditation. In the process he was able to acquire great physical strength and is trained in martial arts.

The monk now living in Sri Lanka joins the group of monks who journey to Aranthalawa. When they were attacked by the terrorists, the monk manages to escape with another little monk. Walking through the jungle the monk comes across a LTTE girl arrested by the Army.

He rescues the girl when they try to harass her. Later he starts a mutual relationship with the girl whose father is a doctor, subsequently he comes to politics and is elected to Parliament.

“The film depicts a monk’s attempt to change the corrupted political system. In addition to this political theme the film also highlights the corruptions and malpractices that take place in high ranks of both the Army and LTTE in the midst of war” Ranjan told the TV Times.

Many incidents that had taken place in the political scene, specially the incidents in Parliament recently involving the monks will be highlighted in this film, Ranjan added.

Asked about what the difference was between an actor and director Ranjan said, as an actor you are limited to a one character and you have a limited engagement in the film but when you become a director there are lot of sacrifices to make and you have to concentrate over every detail of the film.

But there is one advantage that you have the freedom to do the film the way you want. The film will be equipped with DTS sounds system and cinemascope and Ranjan has planned to make thirty copies for the local and foreign release. The film is scheduled for release next December.

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