When the only option is Rani!

Another issue with Sri Lankans is most of them being unable to stomach it when a celebrated name of a religious personality which is already existing, surface elsewhere

The tolerance levels of Sri Lankans don’t run deep. The populace here in the island have some association with at least one of the four main religions practised here. But when their views are opposed by the ‘other’ the savage nature of an islander surfaces. Just watch the debate that’s taking place on social media regarding the film “Rani” and you’ll understand. 
These debates also underscore that the average Sri Lankan male is still not matured enough to accept a strong female, who has also developed a taste for the same pleasures that a man indulges in.  
When Sinhala tuition teacher, author and now a YouTube content creator Upul Shantha Sannasgala wrote his novel titled ‘Amma’ (which is ‘Mother’ in English) it stirred controversy. When Sannasgala’s book was released, there were critics who inquired whether other writers are entitled to pen a book under that name when a book with the same title written by celebrated author Maxim Gorky already exists? 
The counter for Sannasgala’s book came from the Sri Lankan author’s camp quite swiftly. He maintained that Maxim Gorky’s ‘Mother’ was appreciated by ‘his’ audience. The writer went on to make a statement about his book in one of his YouTube videos and added, “This is my Amma”. 
People tend to own characters. Some people even try to own images, symbols and philosophies associated with the founders of most religions. Can you remember how the Sri Lankan authorities at the Department of Immigration and Emigration handled the issue regarding a British lady who sported an image of Gautama Buddha on her arm? The Sri Lankan authorities were fuming when they saw the British national bearing a Buddha tattoo and gave her a hard time. Just before being deported all the media reporting associated with this incident revealed that this British lady was a practising Buddhist and dedicated much of her time to master the Dhamma (a stock word used when referring to the studying of the Buddhist religion). It turned out that she was a staunch Buddhist after all. Burp!
There was a similar bad feeling generated when celebrated Senegalese-American Singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer was denied visa for a tour of Sri Lanka back in 2010. The reason was because the Buddhist clergy in the island aired their disapproval over one of Akon’s music videos which showed scantily clad women dancing in front of a Buddha statue. 
Another issue with Sri Lankans is most of them being unable to stomach it when a celebrated name of a religious personality which is already existing, surface elsewhere. This happened during the tenure of Premier Sirimavo Bandaranaike when she objected to spiritual guru Baghavan Shree Rajneesh (Osho) calling himself Zobra the Buddha. This is because Sri Lanka is a ‘staunch’ Buddhist nation and follows Gautama Buddha’s teachings; hence the reason ‘Mrs B’ got agitated and conveyed her disapproval regarding the use of the name Buddha by an Indian to the Government of India. But the Osho community was quite okay with another spiritual guru existing under the name Osho Rajneesh. The educated ones who are also on a spiritual journey see no confusion or a reason to start fuming when there is a talk going on about ‘Buddha’ being a quality and not necessarily a person.  
The director of the film Rani, Asoka Handagama, has finally spoken (his interview with the Daily Mirror was carried in full in the April 1 edition of the newspaper). He has defended his ground. He has made a film about the Rani that exists in his mind. Many Ranis have existed in this world. We have seen a soap by that name and even a low quality cigarette (beedi) marketed by that name in the market. 
We have to change our perception of things which stir controversy. At this stage of Handagama’s life, when he is recovering from a stroke, there is a housemaid at his residence by the name of Rani attending to his needs. There is no confusion about which Rani that is!