Uththara-true love reigns supreme

By Pradeep Nishantha Herath
Wealth, power and dignity are some of the key features that people use to show their importance and status in society. But when it comes to true love, riches, influence or dignity have no importance or so called value.
‘Uththara’ is a story as such which speaks of a father who is trying to make his dreams come true through his loving daughter and of two lovers who are trying to make their dreams come true with the endless bonding which they have towards each other.

Niwanthudawa is a popular politician in the country and has powers in making differences in the present political situation within the country.

Though Niwanthudawa gives much priority to his political life than any other his wife Nirupamala and his only daughter Uththara give second priority to politics in their lives.
After becoming a popular personality in politics, Niwanthudawa dreams of being in the field forever. Apart from using wealth and power to accomplish his dreams, Niwanthudawa also uses his daughter to strengthen his career.

As the beginning of such a career, Niwanthudawa plans on getting Uththara married to a powerful opponent party leader’s son.
Although Niwanthudawa has plans as such, Uththara falls in love with a popular singer and a dancer named Shanilka Malmuthuwanne who is a new comer to the industry.
The relationship starts between Uththara and Shanilka due to an indiscipline act which was done by Niwanthudawa.

The collision between Uththara’s dreams and Niwanthudawa’s hopes end when everyone come across a secret which was kept hidden only within Niwanthudawa for ages.
‘Uththara’ is now screening at the theaters within the EAP film circuit. Sadun Rajakaruna is the director of the film and it was his first ever movie direction.

The main actress Hasini Gonagala starring as Uththara is a well known super star dancer who is doing her first main role in the movie. Well known actor Suraj Mapa featuring as Shanilka is also doing a main character in the film.

The rest of the cast are Sanath Gunathilake, Sarath Chandrasiri, Anton Jude, Daya Alwis, Wasantha Kumarasiri, Vishaka Siriwardhena, Moreen Charuni, Upeksha Swarnamali, Sahan Ranwala, Janith Wickramage, Kumara Thirimaduwa, Shan Bandu Weerasinghe and Udayangani Saman Kumari.
Lyrics are by Bandula Nanayakkarawasam, Mahesh Rathsara Maddumarachchi, and Kelum Srimal.
Music Composed by Rohana Weerasinghe, Bathiya Jayakody and Kasun Kalhara.

Singers are Pradeep Rangana, Uresha Ravihari, Kasun Kalhara and Santhush Weeraman. Script Written by Mahesh Rathsara Maddumarachchi, Assistant Direction by Manjula Prasanga Karunarathne, Make Up by Narada Dananji Thotagamuwa.

Production Management by Maduranga Jagoda, Art Direction by Chamikara Bokaragoda. Music Direction by Rohana Weerasinghe, Camera Direction by Chandana Dharmapriya. Executive Production by Ashvini Ranasinghe and Produced by Vajira Rajapakse.

Release will be held on February 12 at The Liberty Cinema

In an August 2009 interview, Shah Rukh Khan stated that My Name Is Khan is “not about terrorism, or 9/11. It is about a relationship between two people, between an individual and the State, and between an individual and the country. In short, there are the three important components: love story, Islam and a mild form of autism.”

In an earlier July 2009 interview, Khan also noted that the film focusses on themes concerning “the relationship between the Western world and Islam and how that has changed over the past few years.” He describes the film as about “the journey of one family and how it changes because of 9/11” and suggests “we touch upon that in a very unbiased and educated way.” In another early interview, he also stated that, “it is not about a disabled man’s fight against disability. It is a disabled man’s fight against the disability that exists in the world — terrorism, hatred, fighting. My Name is Khan is also about Islam and the way the world looks at Islam but we are not taking any sides. We are only trying to say that there are only good people and bad people. There are no good Hindus, bad Hindus, good Christians, bad Christians. Either you are a good person or a bad person. Religion is not the criterion, humanity is.”

In late 2008, journalist Madhureeta Mukherjee (referring to the post - 2008 Mumbai attacks atmosphere in India) suggested in an interview with Karan Johar that, “My Name Is Khan starts at a time when Hindus and Muslims in India have united like never before.” In response, Johar stated: “I think it is an exceptionally relevant time, as the unity of our nation is of paramount importance, and I am very happy to witness such a movement in front of my eyes. We are all coming together to fight for a common cause – called humanity. Everyone knows that terrorism has no religion and it will never have a religion. As a filmmaker, I believe that I have a social responsibility and I promise to fulfill that.”

Plot
The film begins with the child, Rizwan Khan (Tanay Chheda), a Muslim who has Asperger syndrome, growing up with his mother (Zarina Wahab) in the Borivali section of Mumbai. Later as an adult (Shah Rukh Khan), Rizwan moves to San Francisco and lives with his brother and sister-in-law. While there, he falls in love with Mandira (Kajol).
After 9/11, Rizwan and Mandira begin to face a number of difficulties which causes them to separate. Rizwan then begins a long journey across the United States to win Mandira back. In the process of his journey, he “inspires optimism and joy in the hearts of the people he encounters by spreading of messages of goodwill wherever he roams.”

INTERNATIONAL

If there could be one personality in Indian film industry who can be acclaimed as Mr. Perfectionist, it is none other than Aamir Khan. Right from the phase of screenwriting to the subtitling of films and walking through the lanes of World for promotions, the actor has been striding with perfection.
Though most of the actors boast themselves to be like him, he is one genuine celebrity worthy to be ennobled as an inspirer for many youngsters.
As Aamir Khan got to know that he has a great group of fans following him, especially youth cohorts, he has quit smoking and consuming alcohol so as to prove his perfection in real life indeed.
Come on Kollywood stars! Be like Aamir Khan, Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan…

Chandan: Esha is my new best friend

Chandan Roy Sanyal, who made a sparkling debut as the crazy, drug-dealing gambler Mikhail in ‘Kaminey’, talks about his role in ‘Tell Me Oh Khuda’!, and bonding with Esha Deol.
“‘Tell Me Oh Khuda’, is the story of three friends and their journey together. They travel across diverse landscapes from the mountains of Turkey to the deserts of Rajasthan and the beaches of Goa. I think it is going to be a rib-tickling comedy,” says Chandan.

“My character in ‘Tell Me Oh Khuda’, is called Kookie. While Mikhail was clever and crazy, Kookie is an idiotic and sweet Casanova. He falls in love with every girl he sees. He is the Jack of No Trade and Master of None. He is very funny and the character will remind people of Shah Rukh Khan’s lovable loser character in ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’. Kookie is always there for his friends, played by Esha Deol (his childhood friend) and Arjan Bajwa,” says Chandan.

About his equation with Esha Deol, he says, “We get along fabulously and I think Esha is my new best friend. Just like Shahid and I got along well on the sets of ‘Kaminey’ and that reflected in the camaraderie between Charlie and Mikhail on screen, the real-life camaraderie between Esha, Arjan and me will reflect on screen. I think it is important to grow with your co-stars and characters.

Everyday after pack-up, Esha and I sit and chat about life, movies, friends, anything and everything. She is a lovely human being and a great actress. I hope the movie does well and gives her the success she deserves,” signs off Chandan.

Quick Exit

First the buzz was that things were not well between Vidya and Rani.
Then there was news that they had made up and would be working in Rajkumar Gupta’s movie ‘No One Killed Jessica’.

And now the latest is that Rani has opted out of Deepa Mehta’s film ‘Midnight’s Children’ in which also she was cast with Vidya, again as sisters. Rani says the reason she is out is that she does not want to play mother to a teenager, a 14-year-old, and that is why she is out.

“She is only 31. How can she effectively play the role of the mother of a 14 year old?” said a source close to the actress. However not everyone is buying this. “She had played a mother in ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’,” pointed out a source in the film unit.

“There might be a personal reason why Rani has opted out of the film,” the unit source said.
Deepa Mehta says that the reason cited was not age.

“Rani has always wanted to do the film. And we both were very excited about the film but when she told me the reason, as a human being I understood. I cannot reveal why she opted out but it was nothing to do with her age. She is a great actress and she can play any character,” the director said. So what could the reason be?