By: Isuru Parakrama
March 20, Colombo (LNW): A groundbreaking Sinhala-language black comedy film, Nelum Kuluna (Tentigo), has carved a unique space in international cinema, garnering widespread acclaim and spawning multiple remakes across different languages.
Directed by Ilango Ram and produced by Hiranya Perera under Silent Frames Productions, the film’s bold and satirical take on societal norms has resonated with audiences beyond Sri Lanka’s borders.
What sets Tentigo apart is its unprecedented journey into international remakes. It has become the first Sri Lankan film to be adapted into several languages, including Spanish, Italian, English, Hindi, Telugu, and Malayalam, with French and Belgian versions reportedly in development.
In a testament to its cultural adaptability, Ilango Ram himself directed the Tamil remake, Perusu (2025), which has also been adapted into Pedha in Telugu.
The film’s success has not been limited to commercial remakes. It has received significant recognition on the global festival circuit, securing the Special Jury Award at the prestigious Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in 2023.
It has also been showcased at the Glasgow Film Festival and Mostra in 2024, further cementing its reputation as a standout piece of cinema. Additionally, Tentigo was selected for the International Competition: Fiction category at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival in 2025.
At the heart of Tentigo lies an audacious and darkly comic premise. The story revolves around a fallen middle-class family struggling to arrange their father’s funeral, only to be faced with a bizarre predicament—the deceased patriarch’s body presents an unsettling anatomical issue!
The film’s original Sinhala title, Nelum Kuluna (Lotus Tower), is an overt reference to both Sri Lanka’s tallest structure and the uncomfortable reality confronting the family, serving as a sharp critique of patriarchal taboos and societal hypocrisy.
Speaking on the challenges of adapting Tentigo for Tamil audiences, Ilango Ram emphasised the importance of cultural specificity:
“I always focus on the setting in my films—how people interact, their customs, and their festivals. Tentigo captures the essence of local Sri Lankan life, and with Perusu, we ensured the humour and themes were attuned to Tamil sensibilities. In India, each state has its own distinct cultural fabric, and we worked hard to infuse a comedic tone that would resonate with Tamil viewers.”
The Tamil adaptation, Perusu, features well-known stars Vaibhav and Niharika NM, among others, adding further weight to the film’s expanding appeal.
With its continued success across film festivals and international markets, Tentigo stands as a milestone in Sri Lankan cinema, proving that provocative storytelling transcends cultural boundaries.
