Maharaja Gemunu

Watched twice within a week... and will watch again next weekend. The best I've seen on SL cinemas. An extraordinary cinematic experience. It's not just a chronicle movie but the untold proud story of a heroic nation with full of humanity. The story of a nation tamed by the great philosophy of Buddhism over centuries. The 2 1/2Hrs movie is a must watch by every Sri Lankan... especially the youth and school children. Special merits to the director Mr.Jayantha Chandrasiri, producer Mr.Gunapala Ratnasekara and the team behind of this massive budget - 180 million movie Maharaja Gemunu, for this historical effort. You guys have re-written the history of SL cinema... Simply Amazing!!!

Same as the other films done by Mr. Jayantha Chandrasiri, this film is also great. This is a "must watch" film for those who are not aware about our history. This is a family movie. All the artists have given their full justice to the characters in the film. This is not a cheap film!The director has given a consideration for each and every aspects of the film. The music is also great. Mr. Chandrasiri has selected best locations for shooting. I really like the first 5 minutes of the film. Comparing to the other historical films- this film is in the top. If you go to watch this film please select a good theatre with a good sound system.

Great political and historical story of a king who won a war not for a personal gain but for a higher purpose of securing the land of Buddhism. You should not watch the movie for great filmy backgrounds or flowery songs but to understand the concept, relationship and philosophy of the war, Kind Gemunu and Buddhism. Most of women in the world asks and fight for same position or right position in the Mens World. But Sri Lanka has provided a great example from the history that women has the power of controlling and making things work even though they did not get highlighted. Viharamahadevi, the mother of Kind Gamini Abhaya is the one who directed her son by teaching Buddhism, history, the right way of living and all the qualities for him to become a Great King. She is the one who taught him what he is and what he should be proud of, which lacks in today's society. There won't be a 'King Gemunu' if Viharamahadevi had not groomed him. Our next generation might know about all the new phones and tech stuff but not their proud history based on Buddhist philosophy and of course about their religion. So THIS IS A MUST WATCH MOVIE for all age groups.

I think this is the best movie I have ever watched. Normally when we watch a movie which is more than 2 hours we get bored. But while watching Maharaja Gemunu I never felt that due to the fullness of its story. Costumes, selection of the cast, Back grounds are the three major fields that should be highly appreciated in this movie. When it comes to acting all the actors and actresses have done a great job. Specially Uddika, Kusum Renu, Shriyantha, Jackson, Saranga and Buddhadasa Withanarachchi. The difference between Father's love (Both Kavanthissa and Elara) and Mother's love (both Darathri and Queen Viharamahadevi) was portrayed so nicely and it was heart touching. Altogether it was a outstanding portrayal of a great king of our proud nation who fought for our nation, our tradition, our religion but not for himself. I think Uddika ayya he has managed to show us the anger, courage, love, royalty of a king hence we felt like he was the real Gemunu.Finally I recommend this to all as a must watch movie and before you watch it I think it will be great if you can read the novel of Maharaja Gemunu. So that you will be able to feel the story much better.

What can I say? From the start of the movie, it keeps you hooked with amazing picturization of the Greatest King of Sri Lanka. Even before the movie was released, I had high expectations about the movie as it is directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri. He is a creativity genius who does not take short cuts to deliver his arts. So if someone should take the risk of bringing King Dutugemunu to the screen, it is surely him. Music of Nadeeka Guruge is awesome. Camera work is mind blowing. When I read the book, I had a visual imagination of the book because Jayantha Chandrasiri, also the author of the book, has written the book in that way. Watching the movie was exactly the same experience except I think the battle strategies are more detailed in the book.

Why 8 points then? Because there should be always room for improvement. And for Maharaja Gemunu, it is the battle scenes that need more improvement. Given the budget of the movie and how much can it be expanded due to the constraints of income in Sri Lanka cinema, this film has the best battle scenes to date. Drama, acting of the movie is really good. It gives you a pride feeling about being a Sri Lankan. Some scenes sends a chill down the spine. Loyalty of ten great giants to the King, Angampora battle arts are a treat to watch. All the creators and actors have done full justice to their roles in the movie and Maharaja Gemunu is a masterpiece of Sri Lankan cinema to be admired in days to come. It surely set new benchmark for future of Sinhala Cinema and gives the message that "if you work hard and do justice to what you do, you still can earn well in Sri Lanka box office" because Sri Lankan people love good cinema.