Bollywood superstar actress Kajol Urmila Jain, who played Yashodhara, returns to Sri Lanka with the film 'A Monk's Forbidden Love'.

The latest film titled "Bhikkhuvakage Asammata Premaya" (Forbidden Love of a Buddhist Monk), based on the novel "Forbidden Love of a Buddhist Monk" which became the highest-selling book in the local English category in Sri Lanka in 2025, is currently generating significant discussion within the Sri Lankan cinema industry. This work, authored by Venerable Panadure Ananda Thero, is not merely another ordinary love story or a simple romantic narrative; it can be introduced as a creation that deeply discusses emotions deemed forbidden by society and truths that people were afraid to speak about.

This massive cinematic project is being produced through the Colombo International Spiritual Foundation (CISF Films) and is set to embark on an international spiritual cinema journey starting from Sri Lanka. The film is also considered a cinematic expression about a love trapped amidst truths restricted by societal traditions.

It is noteworthy that the idea of bringing this unique story to the cinema was a dream born by chance. After popular Indian Bollywood actress Kajal Urmila Jain, who read the book via Amazon, sent a thank you message to Venerable Panadure Ananda Thero, inquiring if such a story could be made into a film, the foundation for this project was laid. What began with that one sentence has now become a massive international cinematic project. Accordingly, she will star as the lead actress in this film, and she is expected to come to Sri Lanka for a fee of one and a half crore rupees. She is a talented actress who has previously won the hearts of Sri Lankan audiences as Yashodhara in the Sri Lankan tele-drama "Sri Sambuddha Gautama" and as Queen Chitrangana in the tele-drama "Pandit Rama." Furthermore, she has already played lead roles in several films currently screening in Indian cinemas, such as "Yaaran Annamalai."

Venerable Panadure Ananda Thero, the author of this work, serves as the Chief Meditation Master (Karmasthana Acharya) of the Colombo Young Men's Buddhist Association and the Colombo International Spiritual Foundation. Both lead actress Kajal Jain and Indian superstar actor and producer Aryaman Seth are followers of his meditation teachings, and it is reported that Aryaman Seth is also set to contribute to this film with his acting and production. This will be a unique spiritual cinematic experience that binds the relationship between Sri Lanka and India on a single screen. The film will provide a broad commentary on the internal struggles that arise within the mind of a monastic, how karma traverses through lives, and practical meditation paths to overcome the mental pressures faced by people in today's society. Although this is merely a film, since it is infused with the life experiences of Venerable Panadure Ananda Thero, it can truly be called a life story.

Since this narrative is not limited to mere love but is based on love relationships and karma spanning three past lives, readers have opined that it is more accurate to call it a 'karma story' rather than a 'love story.' Especially, the sensitive love story and separation set against an Indian royal backdrop in a past life, depicted in the middle part of the story, is said to be a segment that deeply captivates the audience's hearts. Those who have read the work say that this part contains 'heavy scenes' that are so profound that the audience's breath will stop in the cinema hall when it comes to the screen. Here, instead of using overly dramatic dialogues or loud sounds, the filmmakers have chosen a unique cinematic language that tells the story through silence. By utilizing camera angles, lighting, and rhythm, the internal emotions of the characters are made palpable to the audience through subtle elements such as a glance, an unspoken sentence, and a missed opportunity.

The film "Bhikkhuvakage Asammata Premaya" (Forbidden Love of a Buddhist Monk) was not created with the intention of directly pointing fingers at society or any social group, nor to spark religious debate or generate controversial shock value. Instead, it invites discussion by posing several profound questions to the audience about what love, karma, and awakening truly are. It discusses what the true reality of the human heart is when society deems love wrong or subjects it to rules. The film's title itself implies that what is forbidden here are not people, but their feelings, thoughts, and truth. It is said that this is not merely a simple series of events that ends when one leaves the cinema hall, but a creation that leaves four or five questions lingering in the mind, allowing the audience to reflect and question themselves. It is also mentioned that when watching this film, the audience will feel as if they are seeing their own thoughts on screen.

Such a creation, which bravely brings new stories, new cinematic languages, and questions that people were afraid to discuss, to the forefront of society, as is periodically needed by Sri Lankan cinema, possesses a depth that can travel to the festival circuit. Pre-production work for this massive project has already begun, and official announcements regarding the cast, filming locations, and creative team are expected in the coming months. Without solely focusing on box-office records, this film, which sparks social dialogue and a silent protest, will be felt by its viewers not just as a movie but as a heartfelt experience. This work, where love begins as a love story and ends as a philosophy, is certain to create profound silence throughout the cinema hall and generate extensive discussion and debate about the subtle boundary between love and karma.

Dr. Ekadeera Wanniarachchi serves as the Sri Lankan producer for this film, and it has been announced that hundreds of actors and actresses are needed for the acting roles. Newcomers interested in participating are requested to call 0772264202.