Movie starring Indian and Lankan artistes breaks box office records here

A Sinhala language mythological movie starring Indian and Lankan artistes, Kadira Divyaraja, has grossed Rs. 200 million in its first 50-days of screening, breaking revenue records of the local cinema industry, producer of the film Dr Ravi Liyanage, the Chairman of Raigam Group of Companies, announced on Tuesday.

Addressing the media in Colombo, Dr Liyanage said that the record-breaking revenue was drawn despite two popular Indian movies ‘Jailor’ and ‘Jawan’ featuring superstars Rajinikanth and Shah Rukh Khan also being screened at the same time in local theatres to capacity crowds.

“The record created by Kadira Diyaraja gives us hope that if the right and effective marketing strategies are followed, we could revive the local cinema industry to its former glory,” Dr Liyanage said.

He said that the film, written and directed by senior professor Sunil Ariyaratne depicting the romantic relationship between Hindu god Kartikeya and local princess Valli, has been a blessing to the 75-year-old Sri Lankan cinema industry which has been stagnating in doldrums, giving it some relief.

With the commencement of screening the film Kadira Divyaraja in 75 centres throughout the country, every weekend show was house-full. The movie registered a new record in the annals of the Lankan film industry by passing an overwhelmingly successful 50 days achieving earnings of more than Rs. 200 million. In times such as this, it is no easy matter to induce audiences to come to film halls. In spite of the heavy rains we have been experiencing recently amidst the present difficult economic conditions, a large number of filmgoers came to see the film not only due to the high quality of the film but also due to the promotional campaigns undertaken on behalf of the film. Film hall owners say that the number of filmgoers have shown a marked increase and once again they are beginning to come to film halls, he said.

Kaveesha Theodore, Assistant Manager –Brands, Raigam Group of Companies, said that the movie’s production team has made all arrangements for an Aashirwada Pooja, Kapruk Pooja, Mahasen Pooja, Dhamma Discourse, Ashthapala Bodhi Pooja to be held at the Kataragama Kiri Vehera in Kataragama Devala premises, scheduled for the Binara Poya day on Friday (29), praying for the wellbeing and success and invoking blessings on the Sinhala Cinema on the occasion of the achieving 50 days of tremendously successful screening of the film Kadira Divyaraja. Samar Varmani and Sonakshi Sing Ravan, the leading actor and actress of the film Kadira Divyaraja., along with all the leading Lankan actors, actresses and artistes will participate in this activity.

Kishan Theodore, Managing Director, Raigam Group of Companies, and senior Prof Sunil Ariyarathne also addressed the press.