‘Tentigo’ becomes first Sri Lankan black comedy remade in multiple languages

A 2023 Sinhala-language black comedy film, Tentigo (Nelum Kuluna) directed by Ilango Ram and produced by Hiranya Perera under Silent Frames Productions, has made waves in the international film scene.

Notably, Tentigo has become the first Sri Lankan film to be remade in several languages, including Spanish, Italian, English, Hindi, Telugu, and Malayalam, with future remakes planned for French and Belgium.

In addition to its international reach, the film was remade in Tamil by Ilango Ram himself, titled Perusu (2025), and has also been adapted into Pedha in Telugu.

The film has received critical acclaim at numerous international film festivals, winning the Special Jury Award at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in 2023. 

It has also been showcased at the Glasgow Film Festival and Mostra in 2024. 

Moreover, Tentigo was selected to compete in the International Competition: Fiction category at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival in 2025.

The film is based on a quirky concept and has now been remade into Tamil as Perusu, featuring stars Vaibhav and Niharika NM, among others.

Director Ilango Ram spoke about his efforts in adapting the film to suit Tamil cinema sensibilities: 

“I am always particular about the setting in my films—whether it’s the people residing in the area or the way they conduct their weddings and festivals. Tentigo reflects the local people and their way of life. In India, every state has its own distinct culture. Keeping that in mind, we worked hard to add a comedic flavor that would resonate with Tamil audiences.”

Tentigo continues to enjoy its success, both in its original Sinhala version and its subsequent remakes, cementing its place in international cinema.

--With Agencies Input--