Guththila (Sinhala: ගුත්තිල) is a 2023 Sri Lankan Sinhala historical musical film directed by Sanath Abeysekara and co-produced by Dilini De Silva and Haren Nagodavithana for Tissa Nagodavithana Films.[2]
It is the film adaptation of popular Buddhist poetry Guththila Kavya,.[3]
A message poem written by Vettatheve Thero in Kotte Period during King Parakramabahu the Sixth, which was based on the story of Guttila Jataka from the Jataka sermon of Khuddaka Nikaya in Sutra Pitaka.[4][5]
The film marked fifth cinema direction of Sanath Abeysekara,[10] where he previously directed blockbuster historical movies, Mahindagamanaya, Siri Daladagamanaya, Maharaja Ajasath and Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano. According to him, the idea to direct Guththila was given by veteran film producer Tissa Nagodavithana.[11] Abeysekara also made the dialogues and script of the film. Nagodavithana's son Haren Nagodavithana and his wife Dilini De Silva contributed with the production of the film. Meanwhile, Roshan Sanjay made the executive production.[4][12]
Sujith Nishantha is the cinematographer and Praviin Jayaratne is the editor as well as color mixer. Hiranga Vishwa Ranasinghe is the production manager whereas Ananda S. Kapu is the assistant director.[13] Dhammika Hevaduwatta made the art direction and Ramesha Oshani contributed with costume designing.[6] Choreography done by Channa Wijewardene with Chandana Wickramasinghe, whereas Sumudu Amalka made stunt direction.[4]Dinesh Subasinghe has composed 3 songs and the background music score for Guttila movie. Venerable Ittekande Saddhatissa, Professor Sunil Ariyaratne, Lucien Bulathsinhala and director himself made the song lyrics. Visharad Edward Jayakodi and Uresha Ravihari made background vocals.[14] Poems in the film are recited by Inoka Ahangama and Dayanath Bandara.[6]
Filming began after the Muhurath festival held at the Kelaniya temple in Egoda on the 7th March 2019.[15] The production work completed in October 2019.[16] The film marked the debut cinema acting of popular veteran musician Edward Jayakody.[6] Before the film, he has acted in few stage dramas such as Angārā Ganga Galā Basī, Māvathē Api, Sekkuva, Naribǣṇā, Gajaman Puvatha, Spartacus, and Oedipus. Apart from that, he has won the award for the Best Supporting Actor in the stage play Muhandiram Hamuduruwo at the Youth Theater Festival in 1977.[4]
Release
The film was released on 1 June 2023 in EAP theatres.[2] The film completed very successful 50th day in all theaters which was watched by more than two lakh audience and earned a revenue record of more than 600 lakhs.[17] The film earned more than 930 lakhs after completing 100 days of screening.[18]
