There’s a growing discussion around the originality of the recently released film Nelum Kuluna. Some viewers are questioning whether the film is yet another adaptation of foreign cinematic works.
If anyone confidently says otherwise, I’m willing to watch the movie and share my thoughts publicly.
From what’s evident, the movie appears to draw heavily from the 2017 film A Few Less Men, with only slight modifications made to suit the local context. Furthermore, several scenes, particularly those set during the funeral, seem to have been directly inspired by the 2007 movie Death at a Funeral—some sequences look almost identical.
However, it’s worth noting one important aspect: the film does not appear to have been copied scene-for-scene from beginning to end. It wasn’t reproduced as a shot-for-shot remake. Rather, the approach taken mirrors that of Atlee’s Jawan, where elements were selectively taken and reshaped to fit a different cultural and cinematic backdrop.
In that sense, there’s merit in adapting a concept and skillfully localizing it for a Sri Lankan audience. It can be a positive move if done well, showing both creativity and understanding of the market.
Yet, as a viewer and supporter of Sri Lankan cinema, I still long to see original stories emerge from our film industry—stories that reflect our unique voice and perspective.
I would be genuinely thrilled to see local productions as fresh and compelling as Officer On Duty, Kooman, or Golem from the Malayalam film industry.
– Excerpted
