Nelum Kuluna || නෙළුම් කුළුණ Film

Nelum Kuluna (Tentigo) (2025) – A Dark Comedy Exploring Family Secrets Directed by: Ilango Ram Produced by: Hiranya Perera, Sanjay Gulati, Neeraj Pandey, Kaarthekeyen Santhanam, Navaneetha Nachimuthu, Pon Umapathy Kailash Starring: Kaushalya Fernando, Priyantha Sirikumara, Thusitha Laknath, Ranjith Panagoda Music by: [Information not available] Release Date: March 14, 2025 Synopsis: Nelum Kuluna (also known as Tentigo) is a Sri Lankan Sinhala-language dark comedy that delves into the complexities of familial relationships and hidden secrets. The film begins with the sudden death of a family's patriarch, who passes away while watching television. To the family's astonishment, they discover that he died with an erection—a situation that threatens to bring embarrassment during the funeral. The two sons, along with their grieving mother, embark on a frantic and humorous quest to conceal this peculiar condition before the funeral proceedings. As they attempt to maintain discretion, they uncover facets of their father's secret love life, leading to a series of comedic and poignant revelations. The narrative masterfully blends the gravity of death with humor, creating an ironic contrast that keeps the audience engaged. Cast: Kaushalya Fernando as the Mother Priyantha Sirikumara as the Elder Son Thusitha Laknath as the Younger Son Ranjith Panagoda as [Character Name] Accolades and Screenings: Special Jury Award at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (2023) Screened at the Glasgow Film Festival (2024) Screened at Mostra Internacional de Cinema de São Paulo (2024) Selected for the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival (2025) under the International Competition: Fiction section Critical Reception: Nelum Kuluna has been lauded for its originality and the director's ability to intertwine humor with the somber theme of death. Critics have praised the film for its witty writing, stellar ensemble cast, and its fresh perspective in Sri Lankan cinema. Eoghan Lyng of DMovies described it as "one of the most original comedies in some time," while Jennie Kermode of Eye For Film noted that the film "keeps its balance well" despite juggling numerous characters. International Remake: The film's unique storyline and critical acclaim have led to its remake in multiple languages. Director Ilango Ram helmed the Tamil remake titled Perusu (2025), marking a significant milestone as the first Sri Lankan film to be remade internationally.