Welcome back to Buzz with Danu, where the tea is hot, the laughs are louder, and the guests are anything but boring. Today, we’re diving into a film that made audiences laugh, cry, and question whether they’ll ever attend another family funeral without giggling. Tentigo has taken Sri Lankan cinema by storm (and earned some standing ovations abroad too!). I caught up with the brilliant mind behind it — and let’s just say, things got weirdly wonderful. Buckle up. Today I speak to Ilango Ram on the Buzz. I hope you will go watch the film it’s a MUST!! 

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How did you pitch this story to your producer without getting thrown out of the room?
Interesting question! Honestly, she was happy and said I’m on the right track — because all my earlier scripts were extremely dark, sad, and emotional. So this was refreshing for her. She basically locked the room and told me to finish the script soon!

How did your parents react when they first read the script… or saw the film?
Honestly, they enjoyed it! There’s no vulgarity at any point in the film. In fact, if you watch it in the theatre, it’s the women and family audiences who are enjoying it the most. I can proudly say our audience is way more advanced than the Western audience in that sense.

This film deals with death, erections, secrets, and sibling drama — were you trying to break every taboo in one go?
Honestly, breaking taboos or creating buzz shouldn’t be the goal of a good film. We shouldn’t start a film with that intention. But a good film, eventually, will reflect social and political realities.

Was Tentigo always meant to be a black comedy, or did the dead body just demand it?
The dead body and the family’s sorrow really decided the tone. It’s just human psychology — humour often emerges from grief.

What was the atmosphere like on set the day you shot the ‘erection’ scene? Giggles or poker faces?
Giggles, always — hehe! It was a fun day on set.

Did you ever worry the censors would shut this film down before it even began?
Not really. There’s nothing vulgar in the film. It’s bold, yes, but we were careful about how we handled the themes.

When Director Ram said it was one of the best films in Asia — did you cry, dance, or both?
I didn’t let my wife sleep that night! It was surreal. I still remember every minute of that day.

This is the first Sri Lankan film being remade in multiple languages. How does it feel to make history with something so… hard to forget?
Feels good and proud — it’s a team effort. This opens up more chances for other young filmmakers too. So it’s a win not just for me, but for Sri Lankan cinema as a whole.

What’s the biggest difference between Tentigo and the Tamil remake Perusu? Any cultural adjustments for that… situation?
Tentigo is cult. Perusu is the spicy masala version! We added a lot of cultural nuances — which is a must for any adaptation or remake. Only then will it connect with the intended audience.

Were any of the cast hesitant about the film’s bold theme? How did you convince them?
Not really — not here or in India. Everyone appreciated the uniqueness of the script and quickly wanted to be a part of it.

How did you keep the tone funny without turning the film into a complete farce? That’s a tightrope!
It’s a must to engage the audience, but at the same time, it shouldn’t go overboard. The subtlety in the humour helped. It’s definitely a tightrope, but I think I managed to balance it well.

What was the weirdest question someone asked you after watching Tentigo at a film festival?
Someone asked me if it’s based on a real story — I still laugh thinking about it!

If your film had a slogan like a public service announcement, what would it be? ‘Handle with care?’
“Handle with care” is good! But we do have a real slogan: Rata vatunath kuluna kelin! — haha!

What would you say to someone who’s too shy to watch the film with their parents?
The audience has already proven you and me wrong — everyone’s watching it with family and loving it!

Do you now look at family gatherings a little differently?
Actually, now they’re the ones looking at us — me and Hiranya — proudly. Could be the blockbuster effect at the box office.

If you had to pitch the sequel — would the ghost of the father return… or would the problem reappear elsewhere?
Sequels are always tricky! Let Tentigo stand alone on its own.

How did the idea evolve from script to screen — were there any major changes along the way?
A lot changed at the scripting stage. I always believe in improvising on set, and we added a lot there. It really enhanced the film.

The film recently won the Special Jury Award at PÖFF. What do you think resonated most with the international jury?
The freshness of the film — it felt like a new wave of Sri Lankan cinema. They never expected something like this to come out of Sri Lanka. In fact, the Fribourg International Film Festival introduced a new section titled New Territory, focusing on Sri Lankan cinema, after watching Tentigo. The Artistic Director, Thierry Jobin, personally picked it.

Can you talk about the casting process — how did you find the actors who brought these characters to life?
A perfect cast is a must for a good film. Luckily, my producer got me the cast I wanted. As a team, we worked closely together and it all clicked.

The setting and visuals are striking — how important was location in shaping the narrative?
Landscape and setting are so important. A film should depict those elements honestly to enhance realism — that’s how the audience connects with it. And that’s crucial for a film to succeed.