Siri Raja Siri
Siri Raja Siri, theatrically as Siri Raja Siri alias Kiri Ibbandeniye Maharajathuma, (Sinhala: සිරි රජ සිරි, romanized: King of Kiriibbandeniya) is a 2008 Sri Lankan Sinhala children's drama film directed by Somaratne Dissanayake and co-produced by himself with his wife Renuka Balasooriya. It stars Kokila Pawan Jayasuriya,[2] Dilhani Ekanayake and Jayalath Manoratne in lead roles along with Mahendra Perera and Jayalath Manoratne. Music composed by Rohana Weerasinghe.[3][4] The plot of the film received critically positive reviews.[5] It is the 1102nd Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.[6]
| Siri Raja Siri සිරි රජ සිරි | |
|---|---|
 DVD poster | |
| Directed by | Somaratne Dissanayake |
| Produced by | Renuka Balasooriya Somaratne Dissanayake |
| Written by | Somaratne Dissanayake |
| Starring | Kokila Jayasuriya Dilhani Ekanayake Mahendra Perera |
| Music by | Rohana Weerasinghe |
| Cinematography | Channa Deshapriya |
| Edited by | Ravindra Guruge |
Production company | Nimsara Enterprises |
| Distributed by | EAP Theaters |
Release date | 6 March 2008 [1] |
Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Language | Sinhala |
Plot
Sirimal is a bright young poor boy living in a rural village area in Sri Lanka. When He passes the all island scholarship exam with becoming the 1st place in the island, he wins a chance to attend a wealthy school in Colombo. Despite his many cries and tears to leave his hometown and family, he travels to Colombo with his father. Sirimal does well in the school, gaining lots of friends as well as a spoiled rival, Shehan.
When the School drama teacher announces about their annual Drama Competition, Sirimal is determined to get the main role, which is the King's role. However, he wins the role of his dreams, but he hasn't got enough money for the costume. Shehan, who's wanted that Role too, encourages Sirimal to swap roles, which is the Rajadrohiya's role. But Sirimal Doesn't want to.
Sirimal and his best friend tries to earn money to buy the costume by doing part time jobs, such as shoe polishing and working in a store. But Sirimal's father insists they get help from the village's dancing teacher, who gives Sirimal his King Costume. But the crown is too big for Sirimal.
The drama teacher tells Sirimal to make a ring out of cloth and cotton. After that he will be able to wear the crown no matter how big it is. On the day of the performance, Shehan steals the cotton ring from Sirimal while he's in the washroom. After a tearful tantrum, the drama teacher decides to give Shehan the King's role and Sirimal the cheap rajadrohiya role. Sirimal protests, but he gives an extraordinary performance as the Rajadrohiya and wins the best actor award. The film ends with Sirimal acting as the king in their Village drama competition.
Cast
- Kokila Jayasuriya as Sirimal
- Shehan Randeniya as Shehan
- Dilhani Ekanayake as Sirimal's mother
- Mahendra Perera as Gune, Sirimal's father
- Sharanya Jayakodi as Sirimal's sister
- Jayalath Manoratne as Weerasinghe, school's drama teacher
- Prasannajit Abeysuriya as Village school principal
- Sanath Gunathilake as Principal
- Rathna Lalani Jayakody as Class Teacher
- Giriraj Kaushalya as Theater controller
- Richard Manamudali as Television reporter
- Rohana Baddage as Himself
- H. A. Perera as Himself
- Charitha Priyadarshani as Herself
- Chandrasoma Binduhewa as Drama Master
- Sampath Tennakoon as Shehan's father
Soundtrack
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sara Sip Sayuru[7]" | Somaratne Dissanayake | Harshana Dissanayake | |
| 2. | "Rupunoda Sindu" | Somaratne Dissanayake | Edward Jayakody |
Awards and nominations
The film won several awards at international film festivals.[8][9]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Dhaka International Film Festival | Best Audience Award for Best Film | Won |
| 2008 | Asia Pacific Screen Awards | Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Children's Feature Film | Nominated |
| 2008 | Mexico International Children Film Festival | Jury Mention Award for Best Film | Won |
| 2008 | Lola International Children Film Festival | Silver Knobi Award for Best Film | Won |
| 2008 | Argentina International Children Film Festival | Signis Jury Award for the Best Film | Won |
| 2008 | Rimouski International Children Film Festival | CamerioHumanitas Award | Won |
| 2008 | Rimouski International Children Film Festival | Cifej Award | Won |
| 2008 | Chinese International Children Film Festival | Award for the Best Child Actor | Won |
References
- "Coronation of 'King Siri'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- "The coronation of another young artiste to Sinhala cinema: King Siri rules on". Daily News. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- "Siri Raja Siri (King Siri) -2008". Sandeshaya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- "Siri Raja Siri: Looking back". Fragments. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- "Sri Lanka Cinema History". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- "Sara Sip Sayuru - Harshana Dissanayake". Evoke Music. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- "ACHIEVEMENTS OF DR. SOMARATNE DISSANAYAKE". somadissa.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- "'King Siri' wins Jury award". Sunday Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.