Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithange's Paradise, which premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, has won the Kim Jiseok award for Best Film. Sharing the excitement on social media, actor Roshan Mathew, who along with Darshana Rajendran play the lead role, wrote,
"We're thrilled to share that ‘Paradise’ won the Kim Jiseok award for best picture at the Busan International Film Festival 2023. Huge shoutout to our awesome squad and our leader Prasanna Vithanage! Thanks a ton for all the love and support from our well wishers. Remembering you, Kim. Thank you BIFF!" Roshan wrote.
According to the makers, Paradise portrays "the scenario of 2022 Sri Lanka during its financial crisis, where surging inflation leads to food, medication, and fuel shortages, resulting in blackouts and public unrest. This narrative takes viewers on a gripping rollercoaster of love, deceit, and crime. Against this backdrop, Paradise tells the story of a TV producer, Kesav, and his wife, Amrita, a vlogger, who arrive in the hill country of Sri Lanka to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary. However, cracks appear in their relationship when conflicts deepen due to an unexpected turn."
Paradise also stars Shyam Fernando and Mahendra Perera in major roles. It has Rajeev Ravi as the cinematographer, Sreekar Prasad as the editor, Tapas Nayak as the sound designer, and K as the music director. It marks the maiden collaboration between Mani Ratnam's Madras Talkies and Malayalam cinema through Kerala's Newton Cinema.
