Sumathi Studios Title Reveal Rizana A Caged Bird

In a landmark achievement for Sri Lankan cinema, award winning director Chandran Rutnam teams up with producer Jagath Sumathipala of Sumathi Studios to bring the story of, 17 year old, Rizana Rafeek to the big screen. Rizana – A Caged Bird spotlights the tragic real life case of Rizana, who was executed in Saudi Arabia in 2005 for allegedly killing a baby in her care, an incident widely condemned by Human Rights groups.

The film features an international cast, including Oscar winning actor Jeremy Irons as Human Rights lawyer, Professor Julian Miles, and South Asian actor Varalaxmy Sarathkumar as Dr. Rani Chlevam. Emerging actor Vidushika Reddy plays the title role, with a script by acclaimed screenwriter James Rutnam. Director Rutnam, known for bold and socially relevant storytelling, says the case moved him deeply and deserved global attention.

Irons, speaking at the title reveal, called the project a powerful story about the injustice of capital punishment. Sarathkumar, a women's rights advocate, expressed her connection to the role and her excitement about working in Sri Lanka. Producer Sumathipala highlighted the film as part of Sumathi Studios’ ongoing legacy in national cinema, aiming to take Sri Lankan stories to a global audience.