Aravinda who is employed at an Advertising Agency is leading a happy and contended life. He loves his wife and daughter and does not face any economic difficulties. On the whole he is very satisfied. God had been good to him but suddenly events unfold that shatters their happiness.
It all starts with his daughter’s illness. Research reveal that the young lass is suffering from a heart disease. Heartbroken and bitter about the turn of events, Aravinda finds no consolation from his wife who breaks down over the incident.
Enter Mandakini, a temptress, who lures Aravinda into her trap. Charmed by her seductive nature, Aravinda soon finds himself in deep trouble. Worse still, he discovers that Mandakini is not only a seductress but a woman who had connections with the underworld.
V. Sivadasan is no stranger to Sri Lankan cinema. With many years of experience as a teledrama and filmmaker and films like Hondin Nethnam Narakin, Obe Mata Vishvasi, Edath Chandiya Adath Chandiya and Oba Magema Vewa to his credit he had made a name as a popular director in the field. After a 15 year long silence the filmmaker is back with a new creation, Dakina Dakina Mal, which had completed shooting and is ready for release in theatres after Sirithunga Perera’s Kanyavi.
The film was shot in locations in Kandy, Kalutara, Bandaragama, Wadduwa and Colombo and is based on a true story.
Dakina Dakina Mal is Sivadasan’s sixth movie. Damitha Abeyratne, Roshan Pilapitiya and Semini Iddamalgoda portray the lead roles backed by Roger Seneviratne, Diluni Mallawarachchi, Udeni Alwis, Hemantha Iriyagama, Sahan Wijesinghe, Anju Bandara, Kapila Sigera, Sarath de Silva, Maduka Gunatileke, Sujeewa Malkanthi and Nilanthi Dias. Sagarika Dharmapala makes her debut on cinema through the project which also marks producer Sunil T. Fernando’s 50th production.
The script is by Nihal Bandara Jayatileke. Norbert Rathnasiri is the cameraman, Kasun Malwattha is the editor, Priyantha Fernando is the assistant director, Sarath Wijesekara is the production executive and Sunil Wijedeva is the still photographer. Montague Sarachchandrara is the production coordinator. The art director is Sumith Hiran Fernando.
The music is by Somapala Ratnayake while the lyrics are penned by Somapala Lilananda and Bandula Nanayakarawasam. Nirosha Virajini, Mohan Raj Muththasami and Jayantha Ratnayake contribute in background vocals.
Naradha Godakumbura was in charge of the make up department and Sam Perera with the hair styles.
“Though the movie was previously titled Avare Tharakavi many told me that Dakina Dakina Mal is a better title. It is a suspense film which revolves around a family,” Sivadasan commented on the movie. He had been the laboratory chief at Vijaya Studios during the 1983 riots. Having entered cinema with Okkoma Rajawaru which starred Jeevan Kumaratunga, Sanath Gunatileke and Nadeeka Gunasekara, Sivadasan turned to teledramas later in his career. However he states that he is back into filmmaking as he is currently working on another cinematic creation.
