The journey to create this film started at my Dad’s memorial service, which took place a few days after he passed away. We gathered with family, friends, and members of my Dad’s professional community during a suddenly tragic moment. Yet, I was deeply moved by the stories that were shared by people I had never met, as they talked about how my Dad profoundly inspired them and impacted their life’s trajectory. I realized that for as much as I revered my Dad, I didn’t fully understand his persona and the magnitude of his impact. The film became a central part of my discovery and grieving process.

About nine months. The project evolved and grew as we learned more about my Dad and Sri Lanka. We garnered insight from our trip to the country, conversations with people around the world, and reading about Sri Lanka’s history.

The film illustrates the safety and economic conditions that prevented our family from visiting Sri Lanka for nearly 30 years. While the country is in a relatively better situation now, we were very nervous about the journey. For instance, we worried that the electric grid could be shut down at any moment, or an outburst of political activism could close borders and disrupt our travel. Much of our trip was spent in the northern part of the country, which is still military occupied. We were nervous that our presence with a camera crew could attract negative attention. Even when we flew to the north, we had a brief encounter - peaceful, albeit - with the Sri Lankan Air Force and nearly weren’t allowed to take the trip.

The culture shock of going from the New York City area to small towns in Sri Lanka was remarkable - but in beautiful ways. I saw my Dad’s humble roots, and yet, we never felt like outsiders. There is also a moment toward the end of the film that was unplanned but was immensely significant in understanding the magnitude of my Dad’s impact on people and communities.

My Dad climbed the ladder and sent the elevator back down for people. I hope this film serves as an elevator for people who are also considering their place and trajectory in the world, as they inherit legacy and momentum from our elders. I believe my Dad’s story can not only inspire greatness in all of us, but a healthier, more sustainable form of greatness. That’s what my Dad would have desired for us.

Many things come and go, but stories are forever. This film will preserve and grow my Dad’s legacy. We are excited to share the film through film festivals, and to create curated spaces for certain communities to immerse themselves in the film. For example, we may host private screenings with the U.S. Government community in D.C. and events in Sri Lanka.

The family unit is so central to Sri Lankan culture. We demonstrate our love through generosity, allyship, and reliability. There is a desire to continually build and grow, in a way that every generation can feel satisfaction. For Sri Lankan immigrants, legacy is also viewed through the lens of stability. For many families in Sri Lanka, a lack of stability might be considered as a way of life, but for families who leave Sri Lanka, there is a clear impetus to ensure future generations are more stable.