Saho (film)

Saho
Saho
Sinhala	සහෝ
Directed by	Prof. Ariyaratne Athugala
Written by	Prof. Ariyaratne Athugala
Produced by	Bandula Gunawardena; H. D. Premasiri ; Ravindra Guruge
Starring	Dasun Pathirana; Dinara Punchihewa; Biyanka Amarasinghe; Harshi Anjumala
Cinematography	Chandana Jayasinghe
Edited by	Dilan Gunawardana
Music by	Tharupathi Munasinghe
Release date	17 February 2023;
Running time	114 minutes
Country	Sri Lanka
Language	Sinhala

Saho (Sinhala: සහෝ; lit. 'Comrade') is a 2023 Sri Lankan Sinhala drama film directed by Professor Ariyaratne Athugala and co-produced by Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, H. D. Premasiri and Ravindra Guruge.^[1]^[2] The film stars Dasun Pathirana and Dinara Punchihewa in lead roles along with Biyanka Amarasinghe, Harshi Anjumala and Sonduru Lokupothagama in supportive roles.^[3]

The film received positive reviews from critics and made international awards at many global film festivals.^[4]^[5]

Plot

The film revolves around a group of College Students and their experiences.^[5]

Cast

Dasun Pathirana as Tharu
Dinara Punchihewa as Sandhu ^[5]
Biyanka Amarasinghe
Harshi Anjumala as Hiru
Sonduru Lokupothagama as Saho, University Student
Nivarthana Devage

Production

The feature film is directed by Professor Ariyaratne Athugala, who is the Professor of Mass Communications at the University of Kelaniya.^[5] The cinematography done by Chandana Jayasinghe and edited by Dilan Gunawardana. Assistant director is Sarath Senarathne and Thilak Wanasinghe is the production manager. Production design and art direction done by Gayan Madushanka, whereas costumes co-designed by Pasindu Kariyakaranage and Manori Subasinghe. Lakshitha Sankapala Jayakodi is the make-up artist .

The shooting of the film started before the COVID-19, but shooting delayed with the complete lockdown of the country with heavy outbreak of the pandemic where they made sporadic shooting during the period. The shooting was also done within the premises of University of Kelaniya during the pandemic.^[6] ALong with the film, Prod. Athugala also published the novel with the same title.^[7]

Screening and accolades

On April 4, The song launch was held at Radio Corporation Auditorium on 14 April 2023. The premiere of the film was held at Golfface PVR Cinema and on 6 April 2023.^[8]

The film made Official Selection of Feature Films of the second round of the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.^[6] Otherthan that, it also made official selection and final round of the Borden International Film Awards in Sweden, UK's Film Festival, UK Lift-off Global Networks Film Festival, and Belgian BUZZ IFF Networks Film Festival.^[4]

Meanwhile, the film won the Best Asian Film Award at the Golden Leaf International Film Awards in India, as well as Best Feature Film at the Robinson Film Festival in Italy.^[8] At Robinson Film Awards in Italy, the film won multiple awards for the: Best Director, Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Editing, and Best Sound.^[4]

Soundtrack

The two songs were composed by director Professor Ariyaratne Athugala.^[8] Tharupathi Munasinghe is the music director, whereas Indrachapa Liyanage and Upeka Nirmani made background vocals.^[1]