- Trailer and book launched on 5 March
Continuing the story of the 1983 movie Dadayama, directed by Vasantha Obeysekera, is Dada Ima (End of the Hunt), a soon-to-be released movie written and directed by Dr. Naomal Perera, who also released a novel based on the movie.
The film trailer as well as novel were launched 8 March at the Mahaweli Centre, and was attended by the cast and crew of the movie as well as other well-known personalities from the film industry. Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane was the chief guest, while a keynote address was delivered by Sri Jayewardenepura University Senior Lecturer Hansamala Ritigahapola.
The soundtrack of the movie was also released at the event held last week.
Speaking about the Dada Ima novel, Dr. Perera said that when he started writing the novel, he identified certain key characters. “When bringing these characters to life, I wanted to do them justice. If I look at the characters as the author, there could be instances where I am unable to say what is on a character’s mind,” he said, explaining that each chapter in the novel focuses on a specific character.
“I haven’t seen this being done in Sinhala novels – because I haven’t read a lot of novels – but when reading this novel, you will see that each chapter is given to a particular character. With each chapter, I consider the character’s wishes and dreams, their thinking and actions, how they justify things or find fault. And this is what each chapter entails,” Dr. Perera explained.
He welcomed criticism, explaining that this is his first novel, with a second to be released in a year.
With regard to the Dada Ima story, the prologue shared along with the trailer reads: Rathmalie’s tragic story of cheat and deceit, which resulted in her untimely death at the hands of her fiancé Priyankara, who ran over her with his car, was screened as the award-winning and internationally-acclaimed Sinhala film Dadayama (The Hunt) in 1985 in Sri Lanka.
Priyankara escaped legal repercussions by concealing Rathmalie’s murder for 30 years and was residing in the UK under a false identity, but is now returning to Sri Lanka as Keerthi Gajanayaka, a well-known President’s Counsel.
The cast includes Swarna Mallawarachchi, Jackson Anthony, Mahendra Perera, Akhila Dhanuddara, and Marion Weththasinghe.
At the event, Mallawarachchi addressed the audience, saying: “Dadayama is a major milestone in my film career. Being selected for this movie, and having it written for me, has been a great support from producers Dr. Naomal Perera and Dr. Nishani Fernando, as well as my family, who encouraged me to take on this role.”
Calling Dr. Perera a fantastic director, Mallawarachchi went on to say that it was great to get an acting role during this stage of her life.
Meanwhile, Chief Guest Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane said: “Power is gained through profession or birth, and we have a great responsibility. Power is not an accessory but a tool to be used for the good of others.” She added that one may gain a temporary sense of victory through the misuse of power, but that “When the law fails to bring justice, nature provides an opportunity. One’s conscience will someday be in turmoil, and cause pain to these temporary victors.”