Global recognition for ‘Senu’ tele film

The  first-ever telefilm created in Sri Lanka on Autism titled ‘Senu’ co-directed, co-produced and scripted by Ruvani Kurukulasuriya, a psychologist by profession, has won international awards recently.

This unique concept has won Senu its first international awards, as the “Best Feature Film on Disability Issue” from Istanbul Film Awards, and “The Best Young Actor”  from the Silk Road Film Awards, Cannes in 2020 for the 6-year -old Kavishana Abhishek who portrays the character of Senu, the Autistic child. 

Ruvani served as a psychologist in the field of special needs and was attached to the Lunawa Hospital Mental Health unit in Moratuwa.

Being a stage actress in school at St. Bridget’s convent, Ruvani is skilled in acting and script writing and she performs a role in Senu as well.

She co-directed Senu with the well-known “Amba Yahaluwo” director Sudath Devapriya. Ruvani and her husband, KSC Perera co-produced Senu and it was sponsored by CBL Samaposha for its first telecast on Rupavahini in October last year.

The social issue of “disability” often goes disregarded due to lack of knowledge and often discriminated due to the lack of empathy of the society and therefore, the ability that overpowers disability is not given a chance to be developed. The  low esteem of a differently-abled child is signified as “a black painted rubber-duck”, which becomes his inferior self-image as  Senu evokes empathy and acceptance in the viewer. Hence the message of accepting children with “Ability over Disability” is brought forth into society.

Ruvani states that making of movies and telefilms that carry social values and psychological issues such as disabilities are often highly regarded internationally for their creation, due to the concept and reference to reality of life. 

Therefore, if funds are made available by sponsors to produce these types of rare movies, it will carry value and sustainability in the field of art.