Theja


Theja is a 2025 Sri Lankan Sinhalese thriller film directed by Nilantha Hapanweera and co-produced by Nita Fernando, Mahil R. Perera and Suranga de Alwis for Sangeethā Films. The film is based on the fierce struggle of 1982 – 1985 conducted by female workers in the garments against oppressive management tactics and miserable working conditions of the garment administration in the concept of free trade zones. It stars Nita Fernando in the lead titular role along with Mahendra Perera, Iranganie Serasinghe, Chamila Peiris, Sujani Menaka and Anuruddhika Padukkage made supportive roles.

Plot

Cast

  • Nita Fernando as Theja
  • Mahendra Perera as Ranjith
  • Iranganie Serasinghe as Irene
  • Chamila Peiris as Madam Florida
  • Sujani Menaka as Nayana
  • Anuruddhika Padukkage as Kamala
  • Athula Pathirana as Sisira
  • Srimal Wedisinghe as Thisera
  • Ravini Viranga Sandeepani as the child actress
  • K.A. Milton Perera
  • Karunaratne Amarasinghe
  • Kuma Attanayake
  • Milinda Perera
  • D. B. Gangodathenna as Abortion doctor
  • Nawsad Mohamed
  • Rahal Bulathsinghala
  • Chandana Edirimanne
  • Melanie Ashoka
  • Monty Sarathchandra
  • Gunawardena Hettiarachchi
  • Kumara Siriwardena
  • Chandrika Hettiarachchi
  • Nilanthi Gunawardena
  • Naushad Sidhar
  • Janaka Jayakody
  • Chinthana Lankaputra
  • Sarath Wijesekera
  • Nadeesha Chaturangi
  • Nelum Shyamila
  • Dhuleeka Priyani
  • P.D. Indika
  • Nilanthi Kumari
  • Thakshila Kumari
  • Vinicia Chamneer

    Production

The film marked maiden cinema direction of popular radio scriptwriter, film and teledrama assistant director Nilantha Hapanweera, who also acted in stage dramas such as Prakuṛtui, Ayaduma, Dukkhā and Naṭabun. Apart from that, he also directed the single episode teledramas such as Sakman Maḷuva and Thimira Sevaṇæli. He also wrote the script of the film. The film is co-produced by lead actress Nita Fernando along with Mahil R. Perera and filmmaker Suranga de Alwis for Sangeethā Films.
Cinematography handled by Kavinda Ranaweera with the assistance of Manjula Kumaratunga. Chandana Irugalbandara is the assistant director, Stanley De Alwis is the editor, where sound mixing and sound effects are co-handled by Lionel Gunaratne and Shashika Ruwan Marasinghe. Art direction done by Manjula Ayagama with the assistance of Lasantha Gunawardena, Sanjeewa Karunaratne. Color combination by Ananda Bandara, production management by Sarath Weerasekara, whereas subtitles co-handled by Yolanda Weerasinghe with Mahesh Ratnayake.
Kumaradasa Nallarawa is the production assistant and veteran musician Navaratne Gamage is the music director. Music composition done by Mano Selvaraja and Hansaka Suheera, where lyrics are penned by Wasantha Kumara Kobawaka and Umali Thilakarathne made background vocals.

Release

The film was released on 7 March 2025 in line with International Women's Day and celebrating 65 years of cinema career of lead actress Nita Fernando.