Sinhala film analysing

Dharmayuddhaya sinhala film (ධර්මයුද්ධය)

Dharmayuadha is a Sri Lanka language crime thriller film directed by Cheyyar Ravi. The film was produced by MTV channel and the capital Maharaja Organization Limited and distributed by M Entertainment. It is a shot-of-shot remake of the Indian Malayalam language film Drishyan starting Mohanlal by Jeethu Joseph. The film stars Jackson Anthony and Dilhani Ekanayaka in the lead roles and features Kasun Renu, Kumara Thirimadura, Thisuri Yuwanika and Rohan Pilapitiya in supporting roles. The music was composed by Sachith Peris.

The film's running time is 158 minutes and 128th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema. The official trailer was released on 30 January 2017. The premiere of the movie was held on 13 July 2017 at Regal Cinema where the director Cheyyar Ravi died in March 2017 before the release. The film successfully passed 100 days of running in theatres. Dharmayuddhaya film won the 34th Sarasaviya Awards, Blockbuster movie of the year 2017. The film is targeted at legal drama fans, mature and thoughtful viewers and family drama viewers.

The plot of the Dharmayuadha film

Harishchandra, an orphan, who had dropped out of school after 4th grade, now is a businessman running a real estate center in Manudampura. He is married to a woman named Rani and they have two daughters, Achini and Sachini. His only interest apart from his family is watching films and he spends most of his time in front of the TV in his small office. During a nature camp, Achini gets recorded in the bathroom by a hidden cell phone which belongs to a young boy named Shane, the spoiled son of MP Vishaka Samaranayake. Enraged by this, Achini hits Shane`s head with a pipe and breaks the cell phone, killing him instantly. Horrified of what happened to Shane, Rani and Achini hide his body in a compost pit, which is witnessed by Sachini.He removes the broken cell phone and drives Shane's car, which is seen by Harischandra's rival, Constable Vimal. To ensure things go smoothly, Harischandra takes his family out on August 4,5 to a Meditation program which is held on Matale August 2, to watch a movie and eat at a restaurant.

After Vimal revealed that Shane's car which was driven by Harishchandra, had been found in a river, Vishaka calls Harishchandra and family for questioning. Predicting that this would happen, Harishchandra had already taught his family how to change their alibi at the time of the murder. Vishaka questions the owners of the establishments they claim they have been to, and their statements prove Harishchandra's alibi. Then, She realizes that Harishchandra had faked the evidence and established his alibi on the owners by going on a trip with his family to the same establishments later; sometime after the murder, Harishchandra met the owners again, and during the meetings, he had cleverly plotted in their minds that they had visited Matale on August 2,3. With that in mind, Vishaka arrests Harishchandra with his family, and Vimal uses brute force to beat the truth out of them. However, Vishaka and her husband soon learned from Shane's friend, Damith that Shane took pictures of Achini on his phone, realizing that they raised a perverted teenager who tried to rape a young girl. With no evidence to prove that Harishchandra and his family have murdered Shane, Harishchandra gets Sachini to publicly speak out against Vimal for beating her, resulting in several citizens chasing and beating up Vimal, who then gets suspended for battery and assault.

All charges against Harishchandra and his family are dropped, and Vishaka resigns from her post, presumably out of guilt over Shane's actions. Later on, Vishaka and her husband apologize to Harishchandra and his family for their rude and violent behaviour, holding themselves responsible for spoiling Shane in the first place and pleading to know what happened to him. A remorseful Harish Chandra finally confesses that his family accidentally killed Shane because of what Shane tried to do to Achini. The earlier dialogue and the flashback both subtly imply that he has hidden Shane's body in the foundations of the police station itself because no one would think to look there.

The Characters of the Dharmayuadha film

1. Harishchandra (Jackson Anthony)

Harishchandra, portrayed by Jackson Anthony, is the central character in Dharmayuddhaya. His character is multifaceted and pivotal to the film`s narrative. His family is his top priority, and he is willing to go to great lengths to protect them. Harish Chandra`s intelligence and resourcefulness are evident in how he handles the crisis that befalls his family. Harish Chandra`s actions raise questions about morality and justice. This moral ambiguity adds depth to his character, making him both relatable and complex. Throughout the film, Harishchandra transforms from a simple businessman into a cunning strategist. Harish Chandra`s actions and decisions are the driving force behind the film`s plot. He embodies the theme of familial loyalty, highlighting the lengths to which one will go to protect their loved ones. His character`s resilience and dedication to his family resonate with the audience.

2. Rani (Dilhani Ekanayake)

Her character plays a crucial role in the unfolding of the film`s plot and themes. Rani is a loving and supportive wife who stands by Harishchandra`s side through the crisis. Her strength is crucial in supporting Harishchandra`s plans and maintaining the family`s composure under pressure. Rani`s character undergoes a significant emotional journey. From the initial shock and horror of the accidental death to the fear of being discovered, her emotional responses are central to the film`s tension. Her struggle with the moral aspects of their actions highlights the film`s exploration of ethical boundaries. Throughout the film, Rani serves as an emotional anchor for her family. Her support and strength help Harishchandra, and their daughters navigate the crisis. Rani`s character in Dharmayuddhaya is a compelling blend of love, moral conflict, and resilience. Her journey adds emotional depth to the film, making her a vital part of the narrative.

3.Achini (Thisuri Yuwanika)

Harish Chandra’s elder daughter. Vulnerable, innocent, and traumatized. Achini’s involvement in the accidental death of Shane is the catalyst for the film’s events. Achini’s character deals with the emotional aftermath of the incident, portraying the psychological impact of crime on young individuals. The blackmail incident and the subsequent accidental death of Shane leave Achini deeply traumatized. Her fear and guilt are palpable throughout the film, adding to the emotional tension. Despite her fear, Achini`s actions are driven by a desire to protect her family. From the initial shock and horror of the blackmail incident to the ongoing fear of being discovered, her character`s emotional responses are central to the film`s narrative. Achini`s involvement in the blackmail and accidental death of Shane is the catalyst for the entire plot. Achini`s character serves as the emotional core of the film. Achini`s character in Dharmayuddhaya is a compelling blend of vulnerability, fear, and resilience. Her journey adds significant emotional depth to the film, making her a crucial part of the story.

4.Sachini (Vinumi Vansadhi) 

Harishchandra’s younger daughter. Observant, loyal, and emotionally affected. Sachini witnesses the crime and is deeply impacted by the subsequent events. Her character adds depth to the family dynamic, highlighting the innocence lost in the wake of the crime. Sachini is portrayed as an observant child who witnesses the critical incident involving Shane`s death. The traumatic events have a profound impact on Sachini. Her reactions and emotional state add to the film`s tension and highlight the psychological effects of crime on children. Sachini`s character undergoes an emotional journey as she deals with the fear and confusion resulting from the incident. Her emotional responses add depth to the family dynamic and highlight the innocence lost due to the traumatic events. Sachini`s role as a witness to Shane`s death.Sachini`s emotional state serves as an anchor for the audience, providing a perspective on how the events affect the youngest and most innocent family member.

Vishaka Samaranayake (Kusum Renu Mendis)

The antagonist is Shane’s mother and a powerful politician. Determined, authoritative, and vengeful. Vishaka’s quest for justice for her son drives the investigation. Vishaka’s character represents the conflict between personal vendetta and legal justice, adding tension to the narrative. She is the mother of Shane, whose actions and subsequent death are central to the plot. Her quest for justice for her son, Shane, drives much of the film`s conflict. Vishaka`s determination to uncover the truth and seek revenge for her son`s death highlights her vengeful nature. Despite her authoritative exterior, Vishaka`s actions are motivated by her love for her son. Her protective instincts and grief over Shane`s death add layers to her character. Her interactions with Harishchandra and his family are central to the film`s tension. Vishaka`s relentless pursuit of the truth puts her in direct conflict with Harishchandra`s efforts to protect his family. Vishaka`s determination to find out what happened to Shane drives the investigation forward. Vishaka's character adds moral complexity to the narrative.

The Cinematography of the Dharmavyadha film

Lighting techniques 

     1. Natural Lighting
     Ex-: Many scenes set in Harishchandra`s home use natural lighting to create a warm and realistic atmosphere. This technique helps to ground the story in a believable environment and emphasizes the family`s everyday life.

2. Low-Key Lighting
Ex-: During tense and suspenseful moments, such as police interrogations, low-key lighting is used to create strong contrasts and deep shadows.

3. High-Key Lighting
Ex-: In scenes depicting the family`s happier moments, such as when they are watching movies together, high-key lighting is used to create a bright and cheerful atmosphere.

4. shadow
Ex-: scenes where Harish Chandra is planning to protect his family are often lit with a mix of light and shadow, reflecting his struggle between right and wrong

Camera Angles

1. High angle shots

Ex-: When Harishchandra`s family is being interrogated by the police, high-angle shots emphasize their helplessness and the power imbalance.

2. Low angle shot

ex, police officers are often shot from a low angle to emphasize their authority and the threat they pose to Harishchandra`s family.

3. Eye-Level Angle

 Ex-: Eye-level shots are used to create a sense of normalcy and relatability. Many of the family scenes are shot at eye level, making the audience feel connected to the characters and their everyday lives.

4. Over-the-shoulder shot

This technique is used effectively in the film during the interrogation scenes, allowing the audience to see the reactions of both the interrogator and the person being questioned.

5. Bird eye angle shot

Ex-: the film uses this angle to show the family`s home and its surroundings, giving the audience a sense of the environment they live in.

Natural lighting 

Eye angle shot and over-the-shoulder shot

Natural lighting

zoom camera shot

Eye angle shot

Main message of the Dharmavyadha film

1. Family and Willingness to Sacrifice
The film shows the lengths to which a person can go to protect his family. Harish Chandra's actions, driven by his love for his family, highlight the theme of sacrifice and the importance of family ties.

2. Justice and Morality
Dharmayuddhaya examines the complex nature of justice and morality. Questions arise as to what is right and what is wrong and do the ends justify the means? Harishchandra's struggle to protect his family whilst navigating moral dilemmas forms the heart of the story.

3. Truth and Deception
The film deals with the theme of truth and deception, showing how characters manipulate the truth to protect themselves and their loved ones. This theme is particularly evident in how Harishchandra constructs an elaborate alibi to protect his family from legal consequences.

4. Resilience and Determination
The story highlights resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Harish Chandra's unwavering determination to protect his family despite mounting challenges highlights the strength and perseverance of the human spirit.

5. Consequences of Actions
The film also deals with the consequences of one's own actions. It shows that decisions made out of desperation can have far-reaching effects, not only on the person but also on those around them.

In the conclusion of “Dharmayuddhaya”, Harishchandra`s meticulous plan to protect his family from the law is put to the ultimate test. In the end, Harishchandra`s family is exonerated, and the truth about Shane`s death remains hidden.