Prasanna’s ‘Paradise’ received Kerala State Film Awards View(s):By Susitha R. FernandoRenowned Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage brought international recognition to Sri Lankan cinema after receiving the Best Story Award for his film ‘Paradise’ at the 55th ‘Kerala State Film Awards’, held last Sunday in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Presented by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy to honour excellence in Malayalam cinema, the awards also recognised Paradise in multiple categories. ‘Paradise’, presented by Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies and produced by Newton Cinema, is an Indo–Sri Lankan co-production and was further recognised with four nominations at the Asian Film Awards, including Best Film. The film has enjoyed a strong international festival run, winning the Audience Jury Award at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival in Spain and the Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film at the Busan International Film Festival. Darshana Rajendran also won Best Actress at India’s Critics’ Choice Awards, while Mahendra Perera received a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

Source: Sunday Times January 31, 2026 19:34 UTC