New Year starts with Ariyawansa’s movie
View(s):- ‘Malaki Duwe Numba’
By Susitha R. Fernando
Following the successive release of several Sinhala films in 2025, some of which went on to become box-office hits, the New Year opens on a promising note with the release of Malaki Duwe Numba, directed by Kalpana Ariyawansa and Vindana Ariyawansa. Marking the third cinematic collaboration by the two brothers, the film is set to be screened in over 50 Theatres Island wide and will be released through the EAP circuit.
Featuring the late queen of Sri Lankan cinema, Malini Fonseka, the film is a special juncture in Sri Lankan cinema as the cast included three generations of Fonseka family. Along with Malani, Samanalee Fonseka and Kushenya Fonseka are featured in the film. Among the others in the stellar cast are Shyam Fernando, Dhananjaya Siriwardena and Pradeepa Dharmadasa who returns to acting after a 30-year hiatus.
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- Three generations of Fonseka
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- Producer Dr. Lakshman Makandura
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- Kushi and Shyam
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- Kushi
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- Joint producer Kularathne Ariyawansa
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- Director Vindana Ariyawansa
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- Director Kalpana Ariyawansa
The film revolves around a renowned YouTuber and single mother’s romance with a celebrity author sparks turmoil in her fractured family, forcing her teenage daughter to confront past wounds-until an unexpected act of sacrifice heals long-broken bonds.
Behind the camera, the film features Vishwajith Karunaratne as the cinematographer, Vindana Ariyawansa as writer, Kalpana Ariyawansa handling editing and production design, Sarath Senaratne as assistant director, Priyantha Wanninayake for make-up, Sampath Wanniarachchi as art director, Tapas Nayak for sound design and mixing, and Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe for background music.
The production is backed by Dr. Lakshman Makandura and Kularatne Ariyawansa.
Started with ‘Premaya Nam’ a film about a psychological issue, the Ariyawansa brothers made film ‘Rookada Panchi’ (Little Miss Puppet) as their second film. Having screened at a number of international film festivals, “Premaya Nam” was nominated for Best Picture by a New Director, the Best New Director, and the Best New Screenwriter awards at the Beijing International Film Festival. The film was also nominated for Best First Film at the Cayman Islands International Film Festival and for the Best Feature Film at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival. Additionally the film represented Sri Lankan at several international film festivals in Shanghai, Goa, Kerala, London, Florida, and Chicago.
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