Adaraneeya Prarthana () is a 2022 romance musical directed by Wasawa Baduge and produced by Ishantha Withanage. The film revolves around Rahul, whose fate becomes entangled with the lives of Parami and Menaka. Starring Shanudrie Priyasad, Nethmi Roshel, and Rahul Warawitage as Menaka, Parami, and Rahul, respectively, the music is directed by Yasas Medagedara.
Adaraneeya Prarthana premiered in Alberta, Canada on the 27th of August, and was theatrically released throughout Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, United States, and Japan in the following months. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with the soundtrack composed by musician and vocalist, Yasas Medagedara, garnering widespread acclaim.
A dream of Baduge, the film was in development hell since 2016 until it was revived again in 2020, with the help of Medagedara. Adaraneeya Prarthana is framed like Bollywood Romance Concept films, and was entirely shot in Sri Lanka, despite intentions to shoot in Australia, which was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Adaraneeya Prarthana received 13 nominations at the Derana Lux Film Awards 2023, including Best Actress for Roshel and Best Direction for Baduge, and secured the award for the 'Popular Song' for the track Sewwandi Paya.
Plot
In an opening monologue, a distraught Rahul compares sacrificial love and acquired love. Parami, a simple orphaned girl, decides to move to Colombo with her close relatives, Mr Seneviratne and his family, 3 months after the death of her mother. Meanwhile, Rahul, the youngest son of Mr Seneviratne, arrives in Sri Lanka from Australia; meeting Parami after a long time, he is immediately attracted to her. The family attends an art exhibition, where Parami asks Rahul whether he remembers the picture he drew of her when they were small; Rahul, unbeknown to the fact that Parami still cherished the picture, believes it is long gone. At the same time, Rahul shares his hope to open a restaurant, which Parami supports, whereas Menaka, his girlfriend, ridicules the idea, reasoning that it will not fit their status in society. Rahul, however, argues that he does not want to live to impress others, thereby creating tension in their relationship. Subsequently, Rahul hesitates in his decision to marry Menaka, but his father demands their marriage take place, having previously promised Menaka's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gajanayake, leaving Rahul in frustration.
In the meantime, Rahul, with the help of his sister Madhu, her husband Saliya, and Parami, develops the restaurant. Menaka, envious about the growing relationship between Parami and Rahul, confronts Parami and berates her for addressing Rahul affectionately, hurting her deeply. In the following days, Parami leaves with Rahul and Madhu's family back to her village to memorialise the one year death anniversary of her mother. Rahul, fascinated by the beauty of her village, is taken on a tour around the village by Parami, during which their relationship evolves into a mutual love. Rahul and Parami return home, and interrupted by rain and a power surge, they consummate their love. On the next few days, Parami is oblivious to what occurred between them, and avoids Rahul on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, the Gajanayake and Seneviratne families begin organising Rahul and Menaka's marriage, and Parami reveals to Rahul that she is concerned about ruining their lives. Rahul, realising that they will never be able to be together, makes her promise that she will not leave him.