Faded film star Sandhya Rani (Malani Fonseka) unexpectedly sees her profile rise again when she is embroiled in controversy. As a media-crazy nation draws her into its net, she is confronted with a changed, compromised industry - more commercialized, media savvy and value-less. As she faces her new found fame, Sandhya comes to confront her darkest demons - and also herself...
Prasanna Vithanage Filmography
Akasa Kusum (Flowers of the Sky) 2008
Ira Madiyama (August Sun) 2003
Purahanda Kaluwara (Death on a Full Moon Day) 1997
From the time I can remember, movies have had an inexorable pull on me. I make no apologies for this; for it is who I am, whether I, or anyone else, likes it or not. More than any other form of capitulation, it is the soft, silvery, dream-glow of the dancing shadows on that celluloid-splashed screen that have locked itself onto my heart and refused to let my consciousness function without it. All of life's trials, tribulations and triumphs, I sometimes fantastically, other times fictitiously, attribute to the movies. Most of my flights of auto-didactic fancy - from my knowledge of politics to business to science to human nature - I attribute to films I have seen, which have spurred me to read, discover and rediscover. I love the movies. My favourite film critic Roger Ebert once wrote that 'movies are not trivia.' I couldn't agree more.
prasadpereira@gmail.com
Ravi Ratnavale's Tamil translation of Prasanna Vithanage's original screenplay for "Akasa Kusum" will be launched on July 23 at the Library Services Auditorium.
Titled "Azaya Pukkal," the release of the Tamil version of the script will be followed by a limited Sri Lankan theatrical run of a dubbed Tamil version of the award-winning movie.
Director Vithanage says "Azaya Pukkal" will most likely see its limited run somewhere in August 2010. The film was dubbed entirely in Chennai.
"Akasa Kusum" will see its DVD release on 17 March 2010 (Wednesday), at the National Library Services Auditorium on Independence Square. The disc has been visually remastered for its home video release and embellished with two versions of its soundtrack - in 2.0 and 5.1 surround sound, along with English subtitles. It will also include a range of special features, including deleted scenes, a mini making-of documentary and a gallery of posters and trailers.
The DVD will retail at the standard price of Rs. 750/- and will include the free giveaway of a copy of the "Akasa Kusum" screenplay by Prasanna Vithanage.
At the film's DVD release, there will also be a special forum on Sri Lankan cinema, featuring director Prasanna Vithanage, star Malini Fonseka along with two of the country's most prominent film directors, Asoka Handagama and Vimukthi Jayasundara, who will speak to the assembly and take questions. The forum will be moderated by actress Kaushalya Fernando. All are welcome to attend the event.
Nimmi Harasgama is set to introduce a screening of "Akasa Kusum" at the 12th London Asian Film Festival in March 2010. Malini Fonseka will also attend the festival alongside Harasgama, who will also participate in a Q&A session on the film.
Titled 'Tongues of Fire,' the festival also features screenings of blockbusters like "Chak De India," with Shah Rukh Khan and "Paa," with Abhishek Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan alongside more distinguished projects like director Shyam Benegal's "Well Done Abba" and "Lovesongs," featuring Jaya Bachachan in her first screen role in over a decade.
"Akasa Kusum" screens on Tuesday, 9th March at the Apollo Cinema in Piccadilly. Harasgama, who recently was named by Zee Magazine as one of six up-and-coming Asian actors in England, will give the introductory speech before the screening.
The film is currently being prepped for a Sri Lanka DVD release by director Prasanna Vithanage. The disc was scheduled to arrive in stores in February, but will see a slight delay to March.
The domestic DVD release of "Akasa Kusum (Flowers of the Sky)" is set for mid-February 2010, through Torana Music Box. Director Prasanna Vithanage revealed that the DVD release will feature a newly remastered version of the film, complete with 5.1 surround sound.
The disc will also contain bonus features, including a 'Making-Of' documentary, deleted scenes, trailers and the Akasa Kusum music video. The film ran for 77 days in Sri Lankan cinemas last year, to critical and popular acclaim.
Meanwhile, Vithanage is also busy with a special Tamil dub of the film, on which he is currently working in India. This version is to see a special limited release in Sri Lanka in April, in time for the Sinhala & Tamil New Year. "Akasa Kusum" star Malini Fonseka has been acclaimed internationally for her performance in the film winning numerous awards in the international film festival circuit.
"Akasa Kusum" has ended its successful initial theatrical run in Sri Lanka, notching up 70 days in its main centres. According to preliminary data, the film created a record for a Sinhala film at the Regal cinema, Colombo, making 5.5 million rupees. The film has also garnered positive reviews from many critics.
Meanwhile, Malini Fonseka has been nominated for Best Actress at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. She will compete against Iranian actress Goldshifteh Farhani, Korea's Kim Hye-ja, Russia's Yana Troyanova and Zhou Xun of Hong Kong for the award. Sri Lankan director Vimukthi Jayasundara has also been nominated as best director for his second feature, "Ahasin Watei (Between Two Worlds)". The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) is an international cultural initiative of the State Government of Queensland, Australia to honour and promote the films, actors, directors, and cultures of the Asia-Pacific region to a global audience. APSA is partnered by CNN International, UNESCO and the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). The awards ceremony will be held on November 26 in Queensland.
In related news, Malini Fonseka has begun the second leg of her world tour to promote "Akasa Kusum". She is in Italy, showcasing the film and meeting fans and friends. She is slated to make stops in Venice, Rome, Milan, Athena and Corno. Two months ago, she completed a highly successful tour of Australia, where the film was screened to packed audiences.
Ravi Ratnavale's Tamil translation of Prasanna Vithanage's original screenplay for "Akasa Kusum" will be launched on July 23 at the Library Services Auditorium. 
"Akasa Kusum" will see its DVD release on 17 March 2010 (Wednesday), at the National Library Services Auditorium on Independence Square. The disc has been visually remastered for its home video release and embellished with two versions of its soundtrack - in 2.0 and 5.1 surround sound, along with English subtitles. It will also include a range of special features, including deleted scenes, a mini making-of documentary and a gallery of posters and trailers.
Nimmi Harasgama is set to introduce a screening of "Akasa Kusum" at the 12th London Asian Film Festival in March 2010. Malini Fonseka will also attend the festival alongside Harasgama, who will also participate in a Q&A session on the film. 
The domestic DVD release of "Akasa Kusum (Flowers of the Sky)" is set for mid-February 2010, through Torana Music Box. Director Prasanna Vithanage revealed that the DVD release will feature a newly remastered version of the film, complete with 5.1 surround sound.
"Akasa Kusum" has ended its successful initial theatrical run in Sri Lanka, notching up 70 days in its main centres. According to preliminary data, the film created a record for a Sinhala film at the Regal cinema, Colombo, making 5.5 million rupees. The film has also garnered positive reviews from many critics.