• Source: Maharaja Gemunu

Maharaja Gemunu (King Gemunu) (Sinhala: මහරජ ගැමුණු) is a 2015 Sri Lankan Sinhala epic film directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri and produced by Gunapala Rathnasekara for Sipvin Films. It stars Uddika Premarathna and Jackson Anthony in lead roles along with Sriyantha Mendis and Yashoda Wimaladharma. Its music was composed by Nadeeka Guruge. It is the 1221st Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.
The movie is based on the odyssey of King Gemunu (ruler of Sri Lanka 161–137 BC) who is renowned for defeating and overthrowing King Elara, the usurping Tamil prince from the Chola Kingdom, who had invaded the Kingdom of Rajarata in 205 BC.




Synopsis



King Elara is a former soldier and spy under King Kharawela of Kalinga, who rules the Southern Kingdoms of India during the second century BC. Elara arrives at Lankadveepa, in the guise of an overseas naval chief, in order to threaten the prosperity of the Kingdom. Elara is victorious against the Kingdom of Rajarata, having killed King Asela. However, he is not satisfied with his victory because the kingdom of Ruhuna continues to be independent and he is haunted by a prophecy inscribed by King Devanampiyatissa.
Bhattara, an advisor to Elara, found the inscribed prophecy which alluded to a King named Gamani Abhaya (Dutu Gemunu) who would later secure the Kingdom of Rajarata and build a massive pagoda (dageba) at its center. Bhattara and Elara scheme against the prophecy.
King Gamani Abhaya deploys strategies to overcome the tactics of Elara and vanquish him. However, because of his spiritual ideology, he does not allow his people to forget the humanity that was rooted within the enemy. This act universalizes King Gamani's profound humanity.




Cast


Uddika Premarathna as King Dutugemunu
Jackson Anthony as King Elara
Sriyantha Mendis as King Kavan Tissa
Kusum Renu as Queen Viharamahadevi
Tharuka Wanniarachchi as Young Queen Viharamahadevi
Saranga Disasekara as Saddha Tissa
Yashoda Wimaladharma as Queen Dharatri (Elara's wife)
Buddhadasa Vithanarachchi as Monk Mahasiva
Sandun Bandara as Bhattara
Ajith Weerasinghe as Nandimithra
Arjuna Kamalanath as Suranimala
Anura Dharamasiriwardana as Welusumana
Dimuthu Chinthaka as Maha Gamarala
Jagath Manuwarna as Village man
Umali Thilakarathne as Elara's daughter
Damitha Abeyratne as Rohini
Buddhini Purnima as Kathee
Lucky Dias as Minister Mahananda
Rebeka Nirmali as Maha Gamarala's wife
Meena Kumari as Dancer
Randiv Ranga Jayawardena as Deeghabaya
Uditha Nishantha as Nandi
Muditha Wijesundera as Tissa Senevi
Hemantha Randunu as Panimuththa Senevi
Maithree Peramuna as Ghotagaththa Tissa
Anuruddha Chamila as Gotaimbara
Lahiru Prasanna as Pussadeva
Don Vipularatne as Kanchadeva
Mahesh Premathilake as Therapuththabhya
Asitha Nuwan as Bharana
Ajith Silva as Labiya Wasabha
Jagath Jayawardene as Maha Sona




Music


The music for Maharaja Gemunu was composed by Nadeeka Guruge, with lyrics written by Jayantha Chandrasiri and Rev. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero.




Release and reception


The film premiered on 23 January 2015 in EAP Holdings cinema halls. Released on 23 January 2015, the film was highly acclaimed by critics and fans alike, who considered it to be a landmark in Sinhala film-making and an achievement in the epic film genre. The film earned 1000 Lakhs of Sri Lankan rupees until December 2017.




= Awards and nominations

=
Sarasaviya Film Awards 2016

Best Movie
Most Popular Movie of the Year
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) – Jackson Anthony as King Elara
Best Cinematography – Ruwan Kostha
Best Editing – Raveendra Guruge
Best Music Direction – Nadeeka Guruge
Best Art Direction – Rohan Samaradiwakara and Aruna Priyantha Dharmapala
Best Playback Singer (Female) – Nirosha Virajini for the song "Sanda Mandala Vee"
Best Makeup – Jayantha Ranawaka
Best Sound Design – Priyantha Kaluarachchi
Best Lyricist – Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana for the song "Sanda Mandala Vee"
Hiru Golden Film Awards 2016

Most Popular Movie
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female) – Kusum Renu as Queen Viharamahadevi
Best Playback Singer (Female) – Nirosha Virajini for the song "Sanda Mandala Vee"
Best Lyricist – Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana for the song "Sanda Mandala Vee"
Special Jury Award – Jackson Anthony as King Elara




See also


List of Asian historical drama films




References






External links


Maharaja Gemunu at IMDb

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Maharaja Gemunu
• Gemunu
• Sinhalese people
• Cinema of Sri Lanka
• Anuradhapura period
• Jackson Anthony
• List of films: M
• Dutugamunu
• Nadeeka Guruge
• 33rd Sarasaviya Awards