Nayomi Thakshila

My සිම්බා (My Simba, 2026) is a heartwarming Sri Lankan Sinhala forest adventure directed and written by Janardhanan Krishnamoorthy (JK), marking a unique milestone as the first local feature film to star a live, real-life lion. The emotional narrative follows an innocent villager and his young son who unknowingly rescue an orphaned lion cub, raising it as part of their own family. As the cub grows into a majestic predator and the truth about its origins comes to light, the family is forced to navigate danger and sacrifice in a touching journey of love, courage, and the call of the wild. Releasing in theaters on July 17, 2026, the film features a strong ensemble cast led by Kalana Gunasekara, Roshan Ranawana, Nayomi Thakshila, and Suraj Mapa, alongside Rajitha Hiran and Meenuka Premarathna.

Based on the acclaimed short story collection Duwili Mal by Dr. Daya Prathapasinghe, Duwili is a poignant drama that captures the raw, authentic essence of rural Sri Lankan life and the human spirit. Moving away from grand illusions, the narrative explores the deep, bittersweet realities of ordinary villagers whose lives are bound by simple joys, unspoken struggles, and the philosophy that happiness does not require a perfect world. With its roots in celebrated storytelling that originally captivated international readers in New Zealand, this adaptation weaves a soulful, honest, and deeply moving tapestry of a community bound by heritage and a shared destiny.