Lakmal Dharmaratne, who rose to fame with his debut teledrama “Koombiyo,” which twisted and shook the local teledrama scene with a novel, realistic experience that was never before seen, is back with his debut cinematic adventure, “Valampuri – Seven and half dreams”, a film with its true essence of national cinema.
It is truly a sign of a golden era for Sri Lankan cinema, as the “houseful” boards are back for every film that has recently been released, attracting pouring audiences. “Valampuri” hit the jackpot on its very first day of release, earning Rs. 40 lakhs in ticket sales and claiming a “houseful” status. It is now showing in cinemas islandwide.
‘Valampuri’ falls into the drama and thriller genres, with a running time of 150 minutes. Long story short, it is a story of deception, revolving around a group of village men who are ‘Jahuta’ artists, a fading and unique art form in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. As this type of art form is no longer lucrative, this group of artists has turned into con artists, camouflaging into any character to engage in illegal activities. At one point, they are treasure thieves; at another, they camouflage themselves as wealthy businessmen or land brokers. The story revolves around this group of con artists who, when approached by Swami, another con artist posing as a Hindu priest, agree to pose as fake businessmen in a scheme to buy two Valampuris worth forty million rupees.
Deeply political
The film’s premise is deeply political, highlighting the tragedy faced by the ‘common man’ of the country, regardless of who holds power. The ruling system and the common people are depicted as equally suppressed, ultimately devouring each other in their pursuit of the delusional ‘Valampuri’.
The opening scene of the film is a montage of different politicians, particularly the presidents of Sri Lanka since gaining independence in 1948, who offered various hopes to uplift the quality of life in the country, ultimately leading it to bankruptcy a few years ago. ‘Valampuri’ tells the story of the consequences of these false hopes and how the common man has been transformed into a group of con artists for survival.
The cinema aesthetic of ‘Valampuri’ is very authentic to its characters and the story it tells. The character development, based on a group of ‘Jahuta’ artists, is both metaphorical and organic, as it coherently shows both the artistic strengths and the limitations of the characters’ imaginations in the story, where all their plans go awry, both as a team and individually. The background music composition by Chinthaka Jayakody is highly relevant and effective in enhancing the thriller mood of the film. The theme song, inspired by ‘Bambara Kavi’, a unique piece from the dry zone of Sri Lanka, blends beautifully with the thrilling, deep voice of Dinendra Jayaweera Bandara, making it the cherry on top of the film. As the music plays in the background while Sidney (Priyantha Sirikumara) and his group of con-artist friends run through the dusty, noisy traffic center of Colombo, escaping from goons, it captures the essence of what life in Colombo is like for its inhabitants.
The casting and acting in the production are truly exceptional. Actors and actresses inject a remarkable depth into their characters, enhancing the story with their gestures and rhythm. Priyantha Sirikumara is currently the most celebrated actor in Sri Lanka, and he portrayed his character with remarkable skill, capturing its essence perfectly. Additionally, the small yet significant role played by Udayanthi Kulathunga as Sidney’s wife was expertly directed, effectively conveying the character’s essence and adding to the overall narrative. Together, their performances elevate the production, infusing it with emotion and authenticity that resonates with the audience.
A gem
“Valampori” is undoubtedly a gem in Sri Lankan cinema. This short review is to congratulate Lakmal Dharmaratne on making a significant impact in the industry with this remarkable film. His approach signals a promising new chapter for national cinema, and it is clear that “Valampori” represents a bold step forward. Kudos to the entire team behind this national treasure, as their efforts not only celebrate our cinematic heritage but also pave the way for more innovative and compelling films in the future. We eagerly anticipate the emergence of even more novel stories that will shine brightly in the landscape of Sri Lankan cinema and uplift the entire industry.
Dilhani Ashokamala
