# Gautama Buddha Matha

Gautama Buddha Matha (Sinhala: ගෞතම බුද්ධ මාතා: උත්තරීතර මාතෘත්වයේ ප්‍රතිමූර්තිය) is a 2024 Sri Lankan Sinhalese biographical film directed by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne and produced by Thilanga Sumathipala for Sumathi Universal Private Limited. The film stars both Sri Lankan and Indian cast, where Indian actress Phalguni Khanna made lead titular role along with Aditi Singh, Tushar Chhibber, Himanshi Jain, Dilhani Ekanayake, Dhananjaya Siriwardena, Anuradha Mallavarachchi and Sampath Jayaweera made supportive roles. The film reveals the life of Mahapajapati Gotami, the revered queen and foster mother of Gautama Buddha and later became the first Bhikkhunī of the Buddha Sasana.

## Cast

* Phalguni Khanna as Mahapajapati Gotami, foster mother of Buddha
* Aditi Singh as Mahāmāyā, mother of Buddha
* Tushar Chhibber as Siddhārtha, founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha.
* Himanshi Jain as Yaśodharā, wife of Prince Siddhārtha
* Dilhani Ekanayake as Head nun of Buddha Matha Ashram
* Dhananjaya Siriwardena as Ānanda Thero, attendant of Buddha
* Anuradha Mallavarachchi as Śuddhodana, father of Prince Siddhārtha
* Sampath Jayaweera as Suppabuddha, father of princess Yaśodharā
* Michelle Dilhara as Village girl
* Udayanthi Kulatunga as Mother of Kumāra Kāśyapa
* Asha Edirisinghe as Kumāra Kāśyapa, Bikkhu Nun
* Surya Dayaruwan as Channa, royal servant of Prince Siddhārtha
* Hiran Yattovita as Forest hermit
* Induwara Sooriyabandara as Prince Nanda, half-brother of Siddhārtha
* Nethu Gamlath as Princess Nandā, half-sister of Siddhārtha
* Nilushi Pavanya as Janapada Kalyani
* Chanuka Prabuddha as Devadatta, brother-in-law of Prince Siddhārtha
* Niroshan Wijesinghe as King Añjana, father of Mahapajapati Gotami
* Gevin Abhishek as Koṇḍañña, first noble disciple of Buddha
* Jayani Weerasinghe as Queen Sulakkhana, mother of Mahapajapati Gotami
* Kim Dak Jo as Faxian, the Chinese Buddhist monk
* Priyanka Samaraweera as Jain monk
* K.A. Milton Perera as Sick Chandala
* Nissanka Diddeniya
* Kelum Aryan

## Production

The film marks the 26th cinema direction by veteran filmmaker and academic Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, whose previous film Kadira Divyaraja was screened in 2023. He also made the screenwriting, dialogues, and song lyrics of the film. Channa Deshapriya is the cinematographer and Tissa Surendra is the editor. Wimal Deshapriya is the assistant director, Manjula Ayagama is the art director. Line Production done by Anusha Dharmadasa, production management by Nimal Wijesiri Senadheera, and costume design by Ramesha Oshini. Harun Shaiden is the hair stylist, where Priyantha Dissanayake is the feature stylist. Visual Effects co-handled by Saminda Watawawanithanage and Buddhika Wijeratne.
Sound Designed by Sasika Ruwan Marasinghe, whereas choreography by Chandana Wickramasinghe, and Still photography Dhammika Pathiratne. Color Combination done by Asanka Wickramasiri. Music director is Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe, where Kanchana Anuradhi, Thanura Madhugeeth, Anjali Herath, Aditya Weliwatta and Sanchali Ratnayake made background vocals.
The film shooting was commenced from 14 June 2024 in Anuradhapura area, where the shooting completed in Ranminithenna Cinema Village on 23 November 2024. The official trailer, website and song launch of the film were launched on 12 November 2024 after the ceremony held at Munreach Hotel Premises, Kollupitiya. The film will be released on 10 December 2024 in 64 EAP Theatres throughout the country.