Recently, I watched Tentigo (Nelum Kuluna), the debut feature film by Ilango Ram, through a shared screener. The film was a wittily made dark comedy, and what intrigued me the most was how the director seamlessly incorporated humor into the story, reminiscent of the early days of our national cinema in the 70s and 80s when there was a significant audience for such films.
The storyline revolves around two sons who, upon finding their father dead, discover to their dismay that something about him is still very much alive – his erect private part. What should have been a day of sombre mourning descends into complete bedlam as the two sons, attempting to maintain discretion, endeavour to bend his organ before the funeral. In their quest to conceal the truth and save face, the brothers are compelled to confront their own troubled relationship and grapple with their dead father’s secret love life.
Thusitha Laknath, Hiranya Perera, Ilango Ram and Madhura
Prabhashwara at the Glasgow International Film Festival red carpet
The storyline itself reminds me of one of Stephen King’s famous short stories with a similar premise. Ilango’s effort to create something deeply rooted in the Sri Lankan context and resonate with Sri Lankan audiences is truly fascinating. The director unabashedly exposes the culturally narrated lie of the middle class that we all tacitly support and perpetuate, despite its obviousness.
Although this style of narration has long been forgotten in our cinema, it still thrives in Malayalam cinema, which is also quite popular in Sri Lanka. The aesthetics of Malayalam cinema bear striking similarities to ours when considering the anthropological aspects of our two nations. The use of humour is also prevalent in Malayalam cinema, a trait that has dwindled in our own cinema over the past two to three decades. It’s intriguing to witness a fresh approach to filmmaking, and equally fascinating to observe that A-grade international film festivals have embraced this type of film from us – a definite twist in the narrative.
Premiering at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on November 15, 2023, in Tallinn, Estonia, this cinematic gem captivated audiences and critics alike, securing a special jury prize at TBNFF one of the 15 A-list film festivals globally, alongside Cannes, Venice, and Berlin.
‘Tentigo’ is written, directed and cinematography by Ilango Ram, and produced by Hiranya Perera. A star-studded ensemble cast includes Kaushalya Fernando, Priyantha Sirikumara, Thusitha Laknath, Chamila Peiris, Chandani Seneviratne, Dilhani Ekanayake, Sulochana Weerasinghe, Aloka Gayathrie, Ranjith Panagoda, Madura Prabashwara, Saman Koralage, Sanjeewa Upendra, Aloka Sampath and Asela De Silva.
In an interview with the Sunday Observer, Ilango Ram talked about the intricacies of ‘Tentigo’, shedding light on his deliberate approach to storytelling. Reflecting on the dichotomy between art house and commercial cinema prevalent in the Sri Lankan film industry, Ilango articulated his vision of striking a delicate balance, aiming to create films that resonate with both intellectual and mainstream audiences.
Ilango Ram and Hiranya Perera at the
Tallinn Black Night Awards 2023
“From the outset of my career in Sri Lanka, I’ve noticed a stark contrast between the extremely art house intellectual films and the poorly executed Indian-style commercial films. I’ve always sought to strike a balance between these two extremes. As a film enthusiast myself, I believe in the importance of creating movies that cater to a wider audience without falling into either extreme. My ultimate goal is to produce films that possess the quality and depth of art house or intellectual cinema while remaining accessible to the general public. For me, any form of art should reach a mass audience and be appreciated by them,” Ilango said.
Malayalam influence
Ilango’s journey as a filmmaker has been shaped by a variety of influences from different visionaries and genres. He’s dedicated to pushing the limits of storytelling, drawing inspiration from Tamil cinema greats and international filmmakers alike. Ilango is a great fan of Malayalam cinema too. This diverse mix of obsessions and influences is evident in every part of ‘Tentigo’, reflecting Ram’s eclectic tastes and deep passion for filmmaking.
Ilango was first inspired by Tamil cinema greats like Balu Mahendra, Mahendran, Kamal Hassan, and Mani Ratnam. Their storytelling skills influenced him deeply. Later, he explored international cinema, learning from directors like Tarkovsky, Kieslowski, and Stanley Kubrick. Despite these diverse influences, Ilango appreciates all types of filmmaking, bridging the gap between commercial and art house cinema. He believes every film deserves recognition. For Ilango, filmmaking is about pleasing both critics and audiences. When asked about his influence of Malayalam cinema in the making of ‘Tentigo’, Ilango had a mixed and complex answer to give.
“I wouldn’t say it’s directly influenced by Malayalam cinema. However, Malayalam films are beloved everywhere, even among South Indian and Tamil audiences. People often discuss Malayalam films because they resonate closely with reality. They typically feature simple yet relatable stories, avoiding extremes of high intellectuality or poor quality. They capture the essence of common life, making them easily relatable to everyone. So, to answer your question, it’s a bit of both: yes, in terms of style, and no, considering the distinctiveness of our communities.”
“Despite differences, there are many commonalities, especially in our language and culture, which are closely linked to Malayalam and Bengali cultures in India. My film reflects these similarities and resonates deeply with our people. It might be a unique portrayal that hasn’t been explored before. All the dialogues in the film are straightforward and true to how we speak, avoiding overly complicated or alienating conversations. Its resemblance to a Malayalam film stems from its connection to our shared experiences,” Ilango said.
For Ilango, making films is about finding the right mix of staying true to his artistic vision and keeping the audience interested. He believes in making movies that are praised by critics and enjoyed by viewers, steering away from the extremes often seen in the film industry. In a nutshell for Ilango, what really matters is how the audience reacts to the film. He’s excited to see how people in Sri Lanka respond when it hits theaters. With ‘Tentigo’, he wants to bring back the love for cinema and revive the glory days of Sri Lankan film.
Indian remake
In a big step forward for his filmmaking journey, Ilango Ram announced plans to remake his film ‘Tentigo’ in Tamil for audiences in India. This is a significant moment for Sinhala cinema. The idea came about when a well-known South Indian filmmaker, also named Ram, who mentored Ilango, watched and admired ‘Tentigo’. He was impressed by the story and themes of the film and shared it with his industry connections, including famous director Karthik Subbaraj, known for “Jigarthanda.”
Ilango Ram
“It was a great opportunity for us when the South Indian film director Ram, who serves as my mentor, watched the film and loved it. He shared it with some of his filmmaker friends in South India. Among them, Karthik Subbaraj, the director of “Jigarthanda,” and his team watched it and enjoyed it. Discussions began about making a remake of the film in India with an entirely Indian cast and crew. This marks the first time that a Sinhala film will be remade in India with a completely Indian cast and crew,” Ilango added.
The idea of remaking a Sinhala film in India with an Indian team is a big step forward in collaboration between different cultures in the film industry. Ram is thrilled at the idea of seeing his story told to a new audience and understands how important it is culturally. As plans for the Tamil remake progress, Ram wants to keep the heart of “Tentigo” intact while allowing for some creative changes that come with adapting it. This project is a historic opportunity to bring Sri Lankan storytelling to a global audience and break down cultural barriers.
Cinematic nuances
In discussing the adaptation of ‘Tentigo’ for the Tamil audience, Ilango emphasized the retention of the original script while acknowledging the need for cultural adjustments to suit the nuances of the Tamil culture.
“There will be some subtle changes in the nuances of the characters, despite the similarities between Tamil and Sinhalese. There are cultural differences that affect how certain scenes, like the funeral, are portrayed. Sinhalese films tend to be more subtle in their expressions, whereas in the Tamil culture, especially in rural areas, emotions like anger and sadness are often portrayed more intensely. So, I have to adjust the acting style accordingly. I also need to consider the cultural nuances specific to the region where I plan to shoot the film. For example, if I shoot in Madurai, I’ll need to spend time in the village, speaking to the locals and understanding their way of life. This project has a lot of potential, and if it succeeds, it could create opportunities for young filmmakers in the country,” Ilango said.
For Ilango, the success of the project means more than just his own success. It’s a big step forward for Sri Lankan cinema as a whole. By sharing our stories with a wider audience, he wants to encourage more sharing of ideas and collaborations between Sri Lanka and India. This will make both film industries better.
Co-producing
During the conversation with Ilango, his wife, who is also the producer of ‘Tentigo,’ Hiranya Perera shared her insights. She emphasized the transformative potential of co-producing opportunities within the Asian region, especially with India, to promote cultural expansion and capitalise on economic opportunities.
Hiranya shared their success in co-production markets, especially at the renowned Film Bazaar in India. In 2017 and 2018, they presented their scripts and were selected among the top 16 projects from thousands of applicants. The distinctive story of ‘Tentigo,’ diverging from typical Sri Lankan narratives, grabbed the attention of industry professionals, sparking significant interest and forming crucial partnerships.
“We were the only Sri Lankan project. So, our project generated the most excitement out of the 16 projects. This was because our story was very unique, especially coming from Sri Lanka. Typically, Sri Lankan films follow a certain pattern, often focusing on themes like war or poverty. Our story was different from that usual template, and it caught everyone’s attention. People were intrigued because they hadn’t heard of such a story from Sri Lanka before. All eyes were on our project,” Hiranya said.
“At the Film Bazaar, we found our co-producer, Angel Films, owned by Sanjaya Gulati and Viraj Panday. They loved the script and were enthusiastic about the project. Additionally, two of Ilango’s friends joined the project. After the film was completed, we showed it to Karthik Subbaraj, who also loved the idea of remaking it in India. He was impressed by the film and wanted to be part of both the original and Tamil version of the remake,” she said.
Hiranya stressed the importance of developing awareness and skills in co-producing within the Sri Lankan film industry. She highlighted the need for strategic partnerships, local funding, and careful planning from the start to ensure success in both creative and financial aspects.
Looking back on their journey, Hiranya feels optimistic about the future of co-production in Sri Lanka. She sees it as a way to open new opportunities and improve the country’s film industry on a global scale. By sharing knowledge and gaining experience, she hopes that Sri Lankan filmmakers will be able to use co-production opportunities to bring their creative ideas to life and promote cultural exchange and collaboration within the region.
International recognition
Looking back on the success of ‘Tentigo’ at the PÖFF Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Ilango shared his journey and how he broke away from typical festival film standards. He honestly revealed that his main focus when making ‘Tentigo’ was just to make a movie that he liked. This approach turned out to be the film’s greatest strength, as shown by its warm reception at the prestigious Estonian festival. Ilango said, despite cultural differences, European audiences enjoyed the film’s humour and genuinely laughed and appreciated it. For Ilango, seeing this real enjoyment from foreign audiences was a major accomplishment in his filmmaking career.
As ‘Tentigo’ gets ready to come out in Sri Lanka, Ilango is excited to share the film’s success and happiness with his fellow Sri Lankans. His experience shows how important it is to make genuine, relatable movies that connect with people from different cultures and make them feel the same emotions.
