(also spelled Ara Soysa) is a classic Sri Lankan Sinhala comedy film released in 1984. Directed and written by Herbert Ranjith Peiris, the film is a beloved staple of Sri Lankan slapstick cinema and is based on the 1981 Tamil film Indru Poi Naalai Vaa. Plot Summary
The story follows three middle-aged housemates living in a rental home: Soyza, a modest potato farmer, and his friends Don and Costa. Their lives are upended when a new tenant, a selfish businessman named Wadigapatuna, moves in and falls in love with Kanthi, the eldest daughter of their landlord.
The film's comedy stems from the elaborate and often ridiculous tricks Soyza and his friends play to sabotage Wadigapatuna’s chances and win Kanthi’s heart for Soyza instead. In one famous scene, they dress Don up as a pregnant woman to falsely accuse Wadigapatuna of fathering a child out of wedlock. Key Cast and Crew
The film features a "who's who" of legendary Sri Lankan comedic talent: Freddie Silva as Soyza Wimal Kumara de Costa as Costa Don Sirisena as Don Piyadasa Wijekoon as Wadigapatuna Sabeetha Perera as Shanthi/Kanthi
Rukmani Devi (featured in archive footage as Vadiga’s mother) Production Details Director/Writer: Herbert Ranjith Peiris Producer: Dayasena Perera Cinematography: Merceline S. Perera Editor: Stanley Alwis
Experience the iconic comedy and classic scenes from Ara Soyza through these curated clips: Ara Soysa Sinhala Film
Ara soysa හොඳම ටික එක පෙලට | PEOTV
Ara Soyza (ඇර සොයිසා) is a classic 1984 Sri Lankan comedy film directed by Herbert Ranjith Peiris. Released on October 26, 1984, the film is a standout in the golden era of Sinhala comedy, produced by Dayasena Perera for Samagi Films. Plot and Origins
The story is based on the 1981 Tamil film Indru Poi Naalai Vaa. It follows three middle-aged men living together in a hostel. Their lives are upended when a new, younger tenant moves in and catches the eye of the hostel owner's eldest daughter. The comedy stems from the three older tenants' increasingly desperate and hilarious attempts to chase away their rival and win the girl's heart themselves. Iconic Cast and Crew
The film features a "who's who" of legendary Sri Lankan performers:
Starring Roles: Freddie Silva (as Sozya), Wimal Kumara de Costa (as Costa), and Don Sirisena (as Don) lead the trio of hilarious tenants. (also spelled Ara Soysa ) is a classic
Leading Lady: Sabeetha Perera plays Shanthi, the daughter at the center of the rivalry.
Historic Appearance: Notably, the film features archive footage of Rukmani Devi, known as the "Queen of Sinhala Cinema," in her final film role as Vadigapatuna’s mother.
Supporting Cast: Includes Piyadasa Wijekoon, Lilian Edirisinghe, and B.S. Perera. Production Details
Director/Writer: Herbert Ranjith Peiris handled direction, screenplay, and the story.
Music: The film's music was also composed by Peiris, with playback singing from iconic voices like H.R. Jothipala, Nihal Nelson, and Freddie Silva himself. Cinematography: Merceline S. Perera. Runtime: Approximately 127 minutes. Ara Soysa: The Golden Classic of Sinhala Cinema
Experience the timeless humor of Ara Soyza through these classic clips and highlights: 02:10
මගේ නෑනේ වචන දෙකක් මට තාම 24 යි.| ara soysa | PEOTV 14:21 Daily Movies 26 10 1984 ERA SOYSA Aruna Gunarathna 01:20
"Ara Soysa" (translated as "That Noble Lineage" or "That Gentleman") stands as a monumental film in the history of Sri Lankan cinema. Released in 1968, it is widely regarded as a masterpiece of the "Golden Era" of Sinhala cinema, blending artistic storytelling with commercial appeal.
Directed by the legendary Lester James Peries, the film is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel Sama by prolific writer Martin Wickramasinghe. It remains one of the few literary adaptations in Sri Lankan cinema that successfully captured the essence of the original book while cementing its own visual legacy.
While the cast includes several veterans, the film is celebrated for its casting choices that fit the realistic tone of the movie.
The film centers on Soysa (played with brooding intensity by Tony Ranasinghe), a charismatic village rogue. Unlike the stereotypical villain, Soysa is a product of post-colonial Sri Lanka’s class divide. He is a "thief" who steals from the corrupt wealthy elite to feed the starving plantation workers.
However, the title Ara Soysa (Half a Soysa) refers to his dual nature. He is caught between two worlds: his love for a virtuous woman (played by Sriyani Amarasena) who represents salvation, and his loyalty to the lawless underworld that raised him. The plot thickens when Soysa attempts to go straight, only to be framed for a murder he did not commit. The film’s climax—a silent, rain-soaked death scene—remains one of the most iconic shots in Sri Lankan cinema, where the hero dies not with a bang, but with the quiet resignation of a man who knew the system would never accept him.
