Maharaja Gemunu


Maharaja Gemunu is a 2015 Sri Lankan Sinhala epic film directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri and produced by Gunapala Rathnasekara for Sipvin Films. It stars Uddika Premarathna and Jackson Anthony in lead roles along with Sriyantha Mendis and Yashoda Wimaladharma. Its music was composed by Nadeeka Guruge. It is the 1221st Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.
The movie is based on the odyssey of King Gemunu who is renowned for defeating and overthrowing King Elara, the usurping Tamil prince from the Chola Kingdom, who had invaded the Kingdom of Rajarata in 205 BC.

Synopsis

King Elara is a former soldier and spy under King Kharawela of Kalinga, who rules the Southern Kingdoms of India during the second century BC. Elara arrives at Lankadveepa, in the guise of an overseas naval chief, in order to threaten the prosperity of the Kingdom. Elara is victorious against the Kingdom of Rajarata, having killed King Asela. However, he is not satisfied with his victory because the kingdom of Ruhuna continues to be independent and he is haunted by a prophecy inscribed by King Devanampiyatissa.
Bhattara, an advisor to Elara, found the inscribed prophecy which alluded to a King named Gamani Abhaya who would later secure the Kingdom of Rajarata and build a massive pagoda at its center. Bhattara and Elara scheme against the prophecy.
King Gamani Abhaya deploys strategies to overcome the tactics of Elara and vanquish him. However, because of his spiritual ideology, he does not allow his people to forget the humanity that was rooted within the enemy. This act universalizes King Gamani's profound humanity.

Cast

The music for Maharaja Gemunu was composed by Nadeeka Guruge, with lyrics written by Jayantha Chandrasiri and Rev. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero.

Release and reception

The film premiered on 23 January 2015 in EAP Circuit cinema halls. Released on 23 January 2015, the film was highly acclaimed by critics and fans alike, who considered it to be a landmark in Sinhala film-making and an achievement in the epic film genre. The film earned 234 Lakhs of Sri Lankan rupees until February 2015.

Awards and Nominations

2016
Hiru Golden Film Awards 2016