MILESTONE MOVIES MARKING GOLDEN JUBILEE THIS YEAR

ABIRAHASA

Another yesteryear hit movie ‘Abirahasa’ featuring Vijaya Kumaratunga and Swarna Kahawita in the lead roles will mark its golden jubilee this year.

The detective film produced by Nimal Weerakkody and directed by Lenin Moraes also had Thalatha Gunasekara, Sampath Sri Nandalochana,

H. R. Jothipala, Malani Fonseka, Robin Fernando and Alexander Fernando playing the key roles.

Five of Sinhala cinema’s outstanding movies will be marking their 50th year golden jubilee this year. Among them are Dr. D. B. Nihalsinghe’s ‘Welikathara’ – the country’s first cinemascope movie which was first screened on October 27, 1971. ‘Kalana Mithuro’ featuring newcomer Tissa Wijesurendra was screened on March 3, 1971 opening a new chapter for a new hero in the Sinhala cinema industry.

Neil Rupasinghe’s ‘Hathara Denama Sooraya’ which was screened on July 20, 1971, was a huge commercial hit at that time especially due to the starstudded cast comprising Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sriyani Amarasena, Senedheera Rupasinghe, Anthony C. Perera and others.

Lenin Moraes’ ‘Abirahasa’ – another hit movie of the seventies featuring Vijaya Kumaratunga and Swarna

Kahawita will also be marking its golden jubilee this year. The film was released on August 4, 1971.

Titus Totawatte’s memorable yesteryear movie ‘Hara Lakshaya’ based on a true story also marks its 50th anniversary this year. The movie released on December 17, 1971, drew large crowds to the cinemas largely due to the film content and also the novel promotion campaign.