Prasanna Vithanage's "Paradise" highlights the impact of Sri Lanka's economic crisis

Prasanna Vithanage, the director, claims that his most recent film "Paradise" became a powerful vehicle for him to highlight the impact of the economic crisis on people because he witnessed the public anger during Sri Lanka's economic crisis.

Played by "Darlings" star Roshan Mathew and "Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey" star Darshana Rajendran, the story follows an Indian tourist couple who travel to the crisis-ridden nation to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary because it's less expensive.

However, their relationship begins to show cracks as things take an unexpected turn and the conflict intensifies.

According to Vithanage, he began working on the "Paradise" story during the financial crisis in 2022, and the film was completed in January 2023. In addition to causing millions of people to struggle to afford fuel, food, medicine, and other necessities, the nation's extraordinary economic crisis also ignited political unrest.

"During the crisis, many people were living on the streets for various reasons. While others lined up for gas or other necessities, others were protesting. They continue to suffer because the crisis has not been fully resolved. Since so many people lack a voice, I will say that discussing it and sharing it with others has given me a catharsis.

As an artist, you have the chance to express certain ideas both objectively and subjectively when you observe things going on in your environment. That's the reason I enjoy being a filmmaker," he said in an interview with PTI.

The director, who took part in demonstrations personally, recollects how people from all socioeconomic backgrounds and races were impacted by the financial crisis.

"Sri Lanka used to be known as paradise. Paradise—as the term is now called—has become ironic with all the problems. All we know is that, back then, it was anything but a paradise. The purpose of the title is to evoke an ironic image that contradicts the events in the movie, he explained, adding that one of his producers came up with the idea.

Food shortages, gas shortages, and power outages affected everyone. Diesel is nonexistent even for the wealthy who own generators at home. Being from a middle-class family, these are the same struggles that all people have, but Sri Lankans overcame them and showed resilience in the face of them, the speaker said.

The director claimed that he deliberately picked an Indian couple to represent the events taking place in his nation.

But the movie doesn't show what we really go through. It is seen through the perspectives of those unrelated to the crisis... However, the story goes that even they unintentionally become impacted by it," he continued.

Along with Mathew and Rajendran, the movie also stars Indian sound designer Tapas Nayak, music director K, editor Sreekar Prasad, and cinematographer Rajeev Ravi. "I have previously collaborated with the majority of the talent both in front of and behind the camera. Roshan and Darshana were outstanding. He remarked, "I appreciate Roshan's willingness to look for the character's gray areas.

Mani Ratnam, the director of "Paradise," joined the project after seeing a sneak peek of the film in Chennai in August of this year.

The history of Vithanage is not so simple.

"Mr. Ratnam wanted to film some scenes in Sri Lanka, but the pandemic prevented that from happening, so I was supposed to work as a line producer for 'Ponniyin Selvan: I'." However, I did contribute a little—the Sinhalese dubbing in Sri Lanka.

"I normally screen my films for Mr. Ratnam after they have mostly finished post-production in Chennai. That is what I have been doing since 2005. I invited him, and he said the movie was good. When I asked him to present the banner, he did so without hesitation. "He may not say much, but he has a big heart," the director remarked.

Regarding "Paradise's" release schedule, Vithanage stated that it will appear in select south Indian regions as well as at the 12th Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF), which takes place from November 4–7.

"It will be released on Indian OTT platforms and hopefully sometime in the early part of next year," he said.

"I believe that the fates of Indians, Sri Lankans, and those residing on the subcontinent are linked. Our humanity and our stories are similar. I want to tell others about it because I've found it to be a pleasant experience. We make movies in order to share them, he continued.

This marks the debut of Indian actors in a Vithanage film. According to the director, who has always considered himself a fan of directors like Sayajit Ray and Guru Dutt, making an Indian film has always been a dream.

"I would adore working on more Indian movies. My father used to force me to watch every Hindi movie that was released in Sri Lanka, so I always had the desire to make an Indian movie. Indian filmmakers, Indians in general, and Indian cities and free thinkers all inspire me. He remarked, "I believe I have a lot to say about India and its people.

One of South Asia's most gifted and significant directors, Vithanage is known for helming movies like "Sisila Giniganee," "Anantha Rathriya," "Pura Handa Kaluwara," "Pavuru Valalu," "Ira Madiyama," "Akasa Kusum," and "Gaadi."

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