Aba (film)
Aba is the high-budget Sinhalese film directed by Jackson Anthony and co-produced by Justin Belagamage and Rajindra Jayasinghe for Chandrakini Creations. The title is derived from Pandu Aba, another name for the title character.[1]
Aba අබා | |
---|---|
Directed by | Jackson Anthony |
Produced by | Chandrakini Creations |
Written by | Jackson Anthony |
Based on | Early chronicles |
Starring | Sajitha Anuththara Malini Fonseka Ravindra Randeniya Sabeetha Perera |
Music by | Nadeeka Guruge |
Cinematography | Suminda Weerasinghe |
Edited by | Ravindra Guruge |
Release date | 8 August 2008 |
Running time | 118 minutes |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Language | Sinhala |
Anthony’s son, Sajitha Anuttara, portrays Pandukabhaya. The film also features Malini Fonseka, Ravindra Randeniya, Sriyantha Mendis, Sabeetha Perera and many other popular actors.[2]
It was released in Sri Lanka on 8 August 2008. Plans were made to screen the film in several other countries, including China, Italy and Australia.[3]
Plot
Story based on the historical legend of King Pandukabhaya which is set in Sri Lanka more than 2,400 years ago.
Production
The film was shot at different remote places in Sri Lanka. It is the most expensive Sinhalese movie to date, costing more than 60 million Rupees ($500.000). The set for the royal palace alone reportedly cost around 6.5 million Rupees ($60.000).
Cast
- Sajitha Anuttara as Pandukabhaya
- Ravindra Randeniya as Pandula
- Malini Fonseka as Buddhakachchana - won Sarasaviya Best Supporting Actress Award
- Sabeetha Perera as Unmaada Chitra
- Senaka Titus Anthony as Senda
- Kanchana Kodituwakku as Deega Gamini
- Saumya Liyanage as Habaraa
- Dulani Anuradha (Introducing) as Gumbakabutha - won Sarasaviya Best Actress Award
- Sriyantha Mendis as Parumukhaya
- Bimal Jayakody as Chittaraja
- Neil Alles as King Panduvasudeva
- Lucien Bulathsinhala as Abhaya
- Madhumadhawa Aravinda as Ginikhandashiva
- Kasun Chamara as Chandra
- Wasantha Dukgannarala as Maha Berana
- Priyankara Rathnayake as Yakchanda
- D.B. Gangodathenna as Astrologer
Crew
- Director – Jackson Anthony
- Producers - Justin Belagamage, Ms. Rajindra Jayasinghe for Mandakini Creations
- Assistant Director – Anura Wijeysinghe
- Director of Photography – Suminda Weerasinghe
- Music Director – Nadeeka Guruge
- Production Manager - Samanpriya Marasinghe
- Art Director – Udeni Subodhi Kumara
- Make-up Artist – Vasantha Vittachchi
- Editor - Ravindra Guruge
- Costume Designers - Nihan Senevirathna, Vasantha Srinath
- Choreographer - Chandana Wickramasinghe
- Stunts Director - Guru G Karunapala
- Visual Effects Artist - Chamath Paranawithana
- Lyricist - Prof. Sunil Ariyarathne
Aba Hatana - the mobile game
The film has been made into a mobile game at the request of director Jackson Anthony. The game is titled Aba Hatana.
Awards and nominations
The film received many positive reviews from the critics and also won numerous awards in different film festivals.[4]
32nd Sarasaviya Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Aba | Most Popular Film | Won |
2008 | Aba | Best Actress by Dulani Anuradha | Won |
2008 | Aba | Best Supporting Actress by Malani Fonseka | Won |
2008 | Aba | Best Cinematographer by Suminda Weerasinghe | Won |
2008 | Aba | Best Music Direction by Nadeeka Guruge | Won |
2008 | Aba | Best Sound Effects by Klainga Gihan Perera | Won |
2008 | Aba | Best Lyricist by Sunil Ariyaratne | Won |
2008 | Aba | Merit Award by Senaka Titus | Won |
2008 | Aba | Merit Award by Sajitha Anuththara | Won |
2008 | Aba | Merit Award by Udeni Subodi Kumara | Won |
2008 | Aba | Merit Award by Sri Kariyawasam | Won |
2008 | Aba | Merit Award by Nalin Kasmira | Won |
References
- "Jackson recreates history with Aba". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- "'Aba' aims international heights". Sunday Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- "32nd Sarasivia Awards". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 8 December 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- Aba in Sinhala Cinema Database
- Jackson Anthony, the Director
- "The History of Sri Lanka" by W.I. Siriweera
- Aba to reach international heights
External links
- Aba on IMDb