Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Actress relives family history in new film Funny Boy

by LAUREN CODLING

AN ACTRESS who lived through the 1983 riots in Sri Lanka revealed it was “surreal” to recreate scenes from the deadly ambush in her new Netflix movie.


Nimmi Harasgama plays the lead female role in Funny Boy, which follows the life of a young gay man in Colombo. It is set in the years leading up to the 1983 uprising (known as Black July), as tensions increased between the minority Tamils and the majority Sinhalese. Harasgama was living in Sri Lanka during the Black July killings, an anti-Tamil pogrom where thousands of people died. While working on the film, she was reminded how important it was to tell the story of civilians living during the war.

“(Recreating the scenes) was surreal,” she told Eastern Eye. “Every day of filming, I just felt how important this film is. The problem we have in this world is that these things happen and we forget so easily… then, they are repeated over and over again because there’s no truth, there’s no reconciliation, there’s no justice. When people are able to see something like (Funny Boy), we remember. All of us, not just in Sri Lanka, need to keep reminding ourselves of it.”

Born to a Tamil mother and a Sinhalese father, Harasgama can still recall the violence her family faced during the civil war. On one occasion, her uncle was taken out of his car and beaten with an iron bar. Her aunt had to flee after thugs destroyed her home. “I was only 10 years old, but I still remember everything,” Harasgama, who also spent time growing up in the UK, revealed. “I don’t think you ever forget something like that.”

Members of her Tamil family hid in her house as violence across the country escalated. She can recall the thugs approaching her home and her father urging them not to burn it down. “I remember him saying ‘this is my house, I’m Sinhalese, don’t burn it’,” she said. “I just remember this pin drop silence inside the living room because (all my Tamil family members) were in there, just waiting.”

In Funny Boy, Harasgama plays Amma, the mother of lead character Arjie. In the coming-of-age film, Arjie comes to terms with his sexuality. Amma is shown to adore her son, despite others branding him a ‘funny boy’ for his characteristics. “As his mother, Arjie is my favourite son,” she explained. “He helps me to dress in my saris, and he chooses my jewellery. But the family start calling him funny boy and I don’t see it – I just think he’s just this beautiful boy.”

In Sri Lanka, same-sex activity is still considered a crime and the act is punishable for up to 10 years in prison. Last month, Funny Boy director Deepa Mehta admitted it had been difficult to cast Tamil actors in the film due to its LGBT themes. “You have to understand, Tamils are still a group that is being persecuted,” Mehta said. “It isn’t that easy for them to come out and say, ‘I want to be a part of a gay film’.”

Brandon Ingram, who plays Arjie in his teenage years, identifies as gay. “It is very brave of him to do this film, in this present situation,” said Harasgama.

When preparing for the film, Harasgama (who made her screen debut in 1997 in Mother Teresa) looked to her own mother for inspiration. Her mother also helped Harasgama with some of the dialogue, which is spoken in Tamil. “I looked to my mother, not just for the language, but also on how to play Amma because (my mother) epitomises what this character is, in the best possible way,” said the actress.

The movie is adapted from the award-winning novel of the same name by Sri Lankan-Canadian author Shyam Selvadurai. Harasgama can recall reading the book when it was initially released in the 1990s. Even then, she could visualise the story being adapted as a feature film. “I was just beginning as an actress at the time and I absolutely loved it,” she said. “It’s a book which resonates with me on so many levels.”

Despite its Sri Lankan setting, she is confident that themes relating to sexuality, conflict and family will resonate with people around the world too. “I think it is extremely important to Sri Lankans, but also to others (from around the world),” she claimed. “I do hope that the film is seen as something that’s universal too, that it isn’t just for the ethnic groups involved in that story. It goes much further than that.”

Funny Boy is available on Netflix now

More For You

Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025. (Photo credit: Reuters)

India, US to discuss trade issues after tariff hike

INDIA and the United States will hold trade discussions in New Delhi on Tuesday, officials and Indian media reports said, as the two countries look to resolve a tariff dispute.

India currently faces high US tariffs on most of its exports and has not yet been able to reach a trade deal that would ease the pressure.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Reuters

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process. (Photo: Reuters)

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dhanush & young son Linga
Instagram Screengrab/life_of_aakash/redgiantmovies_

Dhanush stuns fans as young son Linga joins him for impromptu dance at 'Idli Kadai’ audio launch

Highlights:

  • Actor-director Dhanush performed live with composer GV Prakash at Chennai event.
  • Youngest son Linga joined his father on stage, dancing alongside him.
  • Dhanush recounted childhood memories that inspired the story of Idli Kadai.
  • The film, featuring a star-studded cast, is set to release on 1 October.

Dhanush delighted fans at the Idli Kadai audio launch in Chennai with a touching father-son moment, performing the film’s hit song Enjami Thandhaane alongside music composer GV Prakash. The actor’s youngest son, Linga, joined him on stage, creating a heartfelt moment that resonated with audiences. Dhanush also shared personal childhood memories, revealing how his love for idlis inspired the upcoming film.

Dhanush & young son Linga Dhanush stuns fans as young son Linga joins him for impromptu dance at 'Idli Kadai’ audio launch Instagram Screengrab/life_of_aakash/redgiantmovies_

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
AI art

Two leading AI tools shaping digital art

Seedream 4.0 / Nano Banana

Seedream 4.0 and Nano Banana fuel AI art craze themed around Bollywood

Highlights

  • Two leading AI tools shaping digital art, Seedream 4.0 and Google’s Gemini Nano Banana
  • Seedream 4.0 generates high-resolution imaginative visuals in multiple styles
  • Nano Banana transforms selfies into retro Bollywood-inspired portraits
  • Viral on Instagram, TikTok, and X, with global audiences engaging
  • Experts highlight data privacy, authenticity, and ethical concerns

AI-powered creativity is sweeping social media, with Seedream 4.0 and Nano Banana AI capturing the imagination of users worldwide. Seedream 4.0 is designed for digital artists and hobbyists who want to create detailed, high-quality visuals in a wide range of styles, from realistic landscapes to abstract scenes. Nano Banana, on the other hand, allows users to turn selfies into 1990s Bollywood-inspired portraits, often featuring traditional South Asian attire and nostalgic retro backdrops.

A global viral phenomenon


Both tools have seen rapid adoption in 2025. Seedream 4.0 attracts those seeking versatile, high-resolution creative outputs. Nano Banana has gone viral for its playful, culturally resonant edits. Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X are flooded with creations from influencers, celebrities, and everyday users, showing the broad appeal of AI-driven art.

Keep ReadingShow less