“Doosra”: A Riveting Tale of Survival and Deception in Rural Sri Lanka

Internationally awarded cinematographer Channa Deshapriya has made his mark once again with his second directorial venture, “Doosra”. This film, which recently represented Sri Lanka at the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival, is set to compete at several other international film festivals. Known for his previous work on “U-turn”, Channa continues to push boundaries in Sri Lankan cinema with this new and compelling story.

Plot Summary

“Doosra” is a gripping thriller set in rural Sri Lanka, focusing on villagers displaced by development projects. The story revolves around a young girl named Rathi and her lover Anil, who resort to an unconventional profession to survive. Rathi pretends to be a prostitute, luring rich customers, only for Anil to gate-crash and rob them. This scam works until one day when things go terribly wrong. Anil is mercilessly beaten, and Rathi is abducted by a gang of thugs who plan to sell her as a prostitute. However, one gang member decides to run away with her, leading to a tense chase as both the gang and Anil hunt for her.

Behind the Scenes

The film stars Thilakshani Rathnayake, Lakshan Abeynayake, Sajitha Anthony, Shyam Fernando, Steve Dela Silva, Wasanthi Ranwala, Ruwan Madanayake, Jayanath Bodhahandi, Nadheeshani Peliarachchi, Tharindu Kavinda Gamage, Samantha Parna Liyanage, Vishaka Siriwardhana, and Rohith Mannage.

Lakshan Abeynayake, a renowned actor in France, not only plays a lead role but also serves as one of the producers for “Doosra”. The film is co-produced by Hashani Kithalagama. Dhammika Rathnayake handles cinematography, while Thissa Surendra is responsible for editing and color grading. The makeup artist is Samarasiri Kadhanage, and Lucky Wijewardena serves as the art director. The sound design is by Sasika Ruwan Marasinghe with a musical score by Chinthaka Jayakody. The film’s playback songs, penned by Ashoka Handagama, are performed by Nipuni Sharadha, Sajitha Anuththara, and Rohitha Jayanath.

A Cinematic Reflection

Channa Deshapriya’s inspiration for “Doosra” dates back 35 years while filming the development of the Samanalawewa project. He observed how the lives of children in rural areas were drastically changing due to development projects. This long-standing observation finally found expression in his latest film.

Channa emphasizes that Sri Lankan cinema needs significant attitudinal changes from its artists. Despite having access to the world’s latest technology and facilities, he questions whether the quality of Sri Lankan cinema has improved.

“Doosra” is not just a film but a reflection on societal changes and challenges faced by individuals in rural Sri Lanka. With its intense narrative and compelling performances, it promises to be a significant contribution to international cinema.