The taut screenplay coupled with brilliant cinematography and crisp editing makes the film a must-watch.
'Paradise' is the latest directorial of Prasanna Vithanage. (Instagram)
Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage’s Paradise is finally out in theatres. The trailer raised anticipation among movie enthusiasts for Paradise as it presented Sri Lanka’s economic crisis from the perspective of an Indian tourist couple. Roshan Mathew and Darshana Rajendran play the lead roles (Keshav and Amritha respectively) in it.
Expectations ran sky-high when Paradise movie won nominations and awards at various film festivals, both in India and abroad. While the actors drew wide appreciation for their power-packed performances, director Prasanna won accolades for presenting a realistic picture of the Sri Lankan crisis through a heart-warming tale of a couple, who faces a mid-life crisis.
The director drew praise for cleverly crafting a story with references to the epic Ramayana, which has around 300 versions apart from the Indian version written by Valmiki.
‘Paradise’ is a critically acclaimed movie. (Supplied)
Paradise begins with Keshav and Amritha visiting Sri Lanka in April 2022 to celebrate their fifth marriage anniversary. It was the time when Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced bankruptcy and the island nation was reeling under severe financial and political unrest.
This doesn’t come as a surprise because, in real life too, some Indian tourists did plan a vacation in Sri Lanka due to cheaper packages, despite being well aware of the situation in the island nation.
Keshav is excited to watch his dream to become a filmmaker turn into a reality as an OTT giant gives a green signal to his story pitch. Andrew (Shyam Fernando) is their (Ramayana) tour guide.
However, the couple’s happiness becomes short-lived when they are robbed at knifepoint. When they approach the police, the latter hesitate to file a case. However, the cops are coerced into investigating the case when the couple threatens to take up the issue with the High Commission of India in Colombo.
Soon, the filmmaker presents a vivid picture of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka and its aftereffects—people’s protests, oppression by the police, daylight robberies, strikes, hunger deaths, security issues, and whatnot.
What happens to Keshav and Amritha after this? Will their Ramayana tour end on a good note? How does the mid-life crisis affect their marriage?—is best watched on the big screens.
The major highlight of Paradise is the realistic portrayal of the economic and political crisis faced by Sri Lanka in 2022. Prasanna Vithanage, renowned for making powerful films, showcases how tourists took stock of the situation by entering the crisis-hit nation.
He also criticises the local (Sri Lankan) authorities for not paying the least concern to the people, particularly the downtrodden, and letting the military take over the law and order situation.
The taut screenplay by Vithanage and Anushka Senanayake leaves a lasting impact on the viewers. It makes them feel the internal conflicts of each character and also guesses how they would be affected by the crisis.
For instance, Keshav’s judgemental attitude sheds light on his bloated male ego. The occasional references to and different interpretations of the Ramayana play a crucial role in the movie and make the audience think.
Rajeev Ravi’s cinematography is an asset for the movie. He captures the beautiful Sri Lanka in bright and colourful frames. Tapas Nayak’s crisp editing is another highlight.
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A poster of ‘Paradise’. (Instagram)
Roshan Mathew and Darshana Rajendran win the brownie points for their sizzling on-screen chemistry. The actors are fantabulous as a married couple facing a mid-life crisis.
Roshan delivers a powerful performance as Keshav, an ambitious filmmaker brimming with male ego. His expressions and body language in the scenes when the couple lands in trouble are bang on.
Darshana leaves a mark as Amritha, an opinionated woman who feels helpless and confused by the unexpected turn of events and her crumbling marriage.
Sri Lankan actor Shyam Fernando is impressive as Andrew, the Ramayana tour guide. Mahendra Pereira, who plays Sergeant Bandara, is apt.
Paradise is a socioeconomic drama that perfectly captures the 2022 Sri Lankan socio-political crisis. Watch it to get an idea of the then situation in the island nation and also for Roshan and Darshana’s solid performances.
(Views expressed here are personal.)
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
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