Bahuchithawadiya – Delusions of Grandeur
Watched Bahuchithawadiya directed and produced by Malaka Dewapriya. It was a film that on the surface appears to be a story of a discontented young gigolo of sorts who spends his time sleeping around. Yet when you look a little deeper, you realise it is the malaise affecting a lot of youth today – especially in Sri Lanka.
The story showcases an underpaid delivery man – Sasitha (Kalana Gunasekara) – who works for an online gifting service. He romances the women – of varying age groups – who place those orders and chats with them online, meets up with them and spends his time professing his love to all of them. In return he wants a chance to go abroad – to any country.
A particular conversation with one of his girlfriends has him stating the countries he doesn’t mind going to which include Italy, Germany etc. She says she doesn’t mind any country other than Sri Lanka – even India. I wanted to laugh out loud – imagine assuming these countries are better just because they appear more developed? Many don’t understand the repercussions and the hardships they will face when going overseas.
Throughout the movie we see how Sasitha is given so many opportunities – visas sent to him by these women who give him money and things like phones and laptops – and yet he is unable to commit to even getting the visa stamped. He spends his time with his fellow wastrel friend, smoking and talking about grandiose plans which they never execute. He eventually loses these women as they discover his philandering ways and the movie ends with him starting over with a new chat with various women again.
This was a stark reminder to me of the many young people one encounters with grand ideas of going abroad, starting businesses, wanting various things which they never get down to doing. Many of these are people who aren’t the poorest of society – they have enough money to eat and they have the luxury of wasting time and money wanting different things which they never see to fruition. It’s the malaise that has been plaguing our society for a while now.
The film showcases some element of sex – however the kissing was the usual mashing of lips which Sinhala cinema seems to love showcasing. Like Sri Lankans have never learned to properly kiss – even as experienced adults.
The acting in the film is very good overall – seasoned actors like Lakshman Mendis, Veena Jayakody and Damitha Abeyratne provide a solid base when telling the story. For some, the character of Sasitha comes across as patently absurd – yet Kalana Gunasekara gives a very accurate portrayal of the demographic his character represents.
The cinematography features shaking frames while travelling on a motorbike which adds to the chaotic feel of some of the scenes. The locations, juxtaposition of things like a Belvedere vodka bottle with Sasitha and his lover, symbolises the external signs of luxury craved by Sasitha which he is unable to achieve on his own.
The movie also reminded me of people I know – some of my batchmates who stayed home for a year after finishing their degrees, awaiting a position in the ministry which they never got. I said, if I stayed home for a year without working, I would have to feed myself my fingers. These people had no such worries – everything was provided for by their parents and families. I also remembered a three wheel driver whose son only went to the gym – he never worked. The father and mother provided him his food and whatever he needed. In our homes, as soon as we finished our A/Ls, we were told to go out and work. Which I am very grateful for. Staying at home doing nothing was not an option. This work ethic is very important later in life as well – even now, one has the misfortune of working with these deluded spoilt brats. They can never go beyond the call of duty, spend their time playing games and lazing at home while their parents provide them money. Work is just a past time and they join and leave jobs like changing clothes. Yet their ideals of life are grandiose and unrealistic. It’s a plague that should be nipped in the bud and it starts with parenting and a society that needs to stop expecting others to provide for their needs.
Bahuchithawadiya should be translated and shown to more people – it is a true insight into the lives of many youth of today who live champagne ideas with toddy income and zero commitment to goals.
