The first conversation around Cricket Sadu.
Read the first published article shared with The Cinema People community.
Read the articleA Sinhala feature film
A film by Dilshara Jayamanna
A deeply human Sri Lankan story where parenthood, religion and the rules of the game meet.
Coming to cinemas worldwide

The film
Not every boundary is drawn in white.
Set against the intimate world of a rural temple and the wider emotional landscape of cricket-loving Sri Lanka, Cricket Sadu is a tender coming-of-age drama about childhood, sacrifice and the fragile line between obedience and freedom. Through the eyes of a child and the conscience of a recently ordained monk, the film explores what happens when sport, religion and social survival pull in different directions.
Written and directed by Dilshara Jayamanna, and shot on anamorphic lenses evocative of Hollywood's heyday, the film brings together an acclaimed ensemble in an intimate Sinhala-language drama made for the big screen.
The visual world



The ensemble
Select a character to discover more

Samantha Gunawardane / Bambalapitiye Dammawansa
A thoughtful monk whose rebellion is a quiet one. Observant, compassionate and gently unconventional, he sees possibility where others see a boundary.
Close character note
Nuwan / Pahalagama Saddamiththa
A gifted and spirited boy for whom cricket is joy, discipline and a way of imagining a wider world. His openness gives the film much of its wonder.
Close character note
Kumari
A mother shaped by love, scarcity and impossible choices. The film meets Kumari without judgement, listening instead to the weight she carries.
Close character note
Samanalee
Warm, candid and seemingly carefree, Samanalee wears her heart on her sleeve. Her lively presence brings an unexpected energy to every room.
Close character note
Soma
Practical, warm and rooted in her community, Soma brings a quietly perceptive human presence to the world around her.
Close character note
Chief Incumbent
The temple’s senior spiritual presence, gentle and unpredictable, whose moments of clarity carry a quiet moral weight.
Close character note
Monastic College Principal
An assured institutional figure, accustomed to rules, order and authority within the monastic world.
Close character note
Madame
An elegant and determined presence whose concern is personal, persistent and deeply felt.
Close character note
Senior Police Officer
A composed officer balancing procedure with the human complexity of the situation before him.
Close character note
Ex-Husband
An assertive figure whose concern for his family is complicated by pride and unresolved tension.
Close character note
Angry Monk
A forceful voice within the monastic community, protective of tradition and quick to challenge what feels out of place.
Close character note
Postman
A familiar village presence whose ordinary rounds quietly connect people and possibilities.
Close character note
Constable
A dutiful officer navigating a situation that is more complicated than it first appears.
Close character note
Female Clerk
A sharp, attentive clerk whose professional composure is matched by a keen awareness of the people around her.
Close character note
Dress Shop Owner
A lively, confident shop owner with an instinct for people and a direct way of speaking.
Close character note
Prisoner
A weathered petty criminal whose colourful presence provokes the possibilities of darker alternatives.
Close character note
Jayaratne
A commanding presence at the edge of the cricketing world, carrying the confidence of someone accustomed to being heard.
Close character note
Coach
A practical cricketing mentor who understands how discipline, opportunity and temperament shape a young player.
Close character note
Jealous Dad
An intense parent whose protective ambition reflects the pressures and rivalries surrounding youth sport.
Close character note
Himself
The celebrated Sri Lankan cricketer appears as himself, bringing the authority and warmth of lived sporting experience.
Close character note03 / Watch & listen
Trailers, selected clips, conversations with the filmmakers and podcast appearances.
Meet the cast
The cast shares their thoughts on the film
Plays Soma
Plays Kumari
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▶Articles & press
Read & reflect
A home for essays, interviews, perspectives, and print media coverage.
Article 01Read the first published article shared with The Cinema People community.
Read the article
Article 02Read the latest published article shared with The Cinema People community.
Read the article
Article 03Read the newest article and perspectives shared around the film.
Read the articleBehind the film
The filmmakers
The main filmmakers behind Cricket Sadu.
Written & directed by
Producer
Co-Producer
Director of photography
Editor
Music composer
Production designer
Sound designer
Production manager
Line producer
Assistant director
Makeup
Costume designer
Art director
DI colourist
06 / Now booking
International screenings are rolling out city by city. Choose your region to view dates, venues and available seats.
Tickets available
Tickets available
Tickets available
More countries and cities will be announced soon.
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