Maharaja Gemunu
# Maharaja Gemunu

Maharaja Gemunu (King Gemunu) (Sinhala: මහරජ ගැමුණු) 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 (ruler of Sri Lanka 161–137 BC) 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 (Dutu Gemunu) who would later secure the Kingdom of Rajarata and build a massive pagoda (dageba) 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

* Uddika Premarathna as King Dutugemunu
* Jackson Anthony as King Ellalan
* Sriyantha Mendis as King Kavan Tissa
* Kusum Renu as Queen Viharamahadevi
   * Tharuka Wanniarachchi as Young Queen Viharamahadevi
* Saranga Disasekara as Saddha Tissa
* Yashoda Wimaladharma as Queen Dharatri (Elara's wife)
* Buddhadasa Vithanarachchi as Monk Mahasiva
* Sandun Bandara as Bhattara
* Ajith Weerasinghe as Nandimithra
* Arjuna Kamalanath as Suranimala
* Anura Dharamasiriwardana as Welusumana
* Umali Thilakarathne as Elara's daughter
* Damitha Abeyratne as Rohini
* Buddhini Purnima as Kathee
* Lucky Dias as Minister Mahananda
* Rebeka Nirmali as Dancer
* Meena Kumari as Dancer
* Randiv Ranga Jayawardena as Deeghabaya
* Uditha Nishantha as Nandi
* Muditha Wijesundera as Tissa Senevi
* Hemantha Randunu as Panimuththa Senevi
* Maithree Peramuna as Ghotagaththa Tissa
* Anuruddha Chamila as Gotaimbara
* Lahiru Prasanna as Pussadeva
* Don Vipularatne as Kanchadeva
* Mahesh Premathilake as Therapuththabhya
* Asitha Nuwan as Bharana
* Ajith Silva as Labiya Wasabha
* Jagath Jayawardene as Maha Sona

## Music

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 Holdings 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 1000 Lakhs of Sri Lankan rupees until December 2017.

### Awards and nominations

Sarasaviya Film Awards 2016

* Best Movie
* Most Popular Movie of the Year
* Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) – Jackson Anthony as King Elara
* Best Cinematography – Ruwan Kostha
* Best Editing – Raveendra Guruge
* Best Music Direction – Nadeeka Guruge
* Best Art Direction – Rohan Samaradiwakara and Aruna Priyantha Dharmapala
* Best Playback Singer (Female) – Nirosha Virajini for the song "Sanda Mandala Vee"
* Best Makeup – Jayantha Ranawaka
* Best Sound Design – Priyantha Kaluarachchi
* Best Lyricist – Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana for the song "Sanda Mandala Vee"

Hiru Golden Film Awards 2016

* Most Popular Movie
* Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female) – Kusum Renu as Queen Viharamahadevi
* Best Playback Singer (Female) – Nirosha Virajini for the song "Sanda Mandala Vee"
* Best Lyricist – Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana for the song "Sanda Mandala Vee"
* Special Jury Award – Jackson Anthony as King Elara
