As Sumitra Peries’ landmark 1978 debut “Gehenu Lamai” (The Girls) prepares for its restored world premiere at Cannes Classics, India’s Film Heritage Foundation has revealed the extraordinary technical challenges overcome during the film’s painstaking restoration process

through FISCH became available, that this vision materialized.

“But despite the challenges, the restoration is beautiful,” adds Dungarpur. “I only wish that Sumitra Peries was there with us to see the film premiere at Cannes.”

With the restoration complete, the film’s premiere at Cannes Classics takes on special significance for its original stars. Wasanthi Chathurani, who was just 16 when cast as Kusum, says: “I am overwhelmed that ‘Gehenu Lamai’ has been restored by Film Heritage Foundation and will be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, 47 years after it was released. I was just 16 and studying in a convent school when Sumitra Peries selected me for the role of Kusum. Initially, I was very nervous and almost gave up, but she was so patient and she taught me the nuances of acting and how to face the camera. The character of Kusum will stay etched in my mind forever.”

Ajith Jinadasa, who portrayed Nimal, reflects on the film’s lasting impact: “The relationship between Nimal, the character I played, and Kusum, portrayed so beautifully by Wasanthi Chathurani, was innocent, pure, and without conflict from others – yet, it could not survive the rigid social norms of the time. The film left many heartbroken. Even today, 47 years later, fans still ask me, often emotionally, why I abandoned Kusum. Their anger and passion speak volumes about how deeply the story touched people.”

The premiere at Cannes will be attended by the film’s lead stars Chathurani, Jinadasa and Shyama Ananda, alongside a delegation including Dungarpur, Gayathri Mustachi, chair of the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation, and Dammith Fonseka, actor, director, and head of the Gamini Fonseka Foundation.

Jinadasa believes the restoration will allow new audiences to experience a film that “resonates across generations and borders, perhaps because no other love story of that era so truthfully portrayed the silent battles fought within society and within oneself.” He adds, “This film deserves to live on – not just for nostalgia, but for future generations to understand the soul of our storytelling.”

Source: Variety