Koombiyo, setting the bar for local dramas

Channel surfing in Sri Lanka during prime time will give you a montage of various women (both Sri Lankan and Indian), hysterically bawling, complaining about one problem or the other, or simply shooting daggers at the camera – shot from at least 5-6 angles. Per actress.

Standing out among the host of such mind numbing TV shows is Koombiyo – a breath of fresh air – which since October last year has been voted the top rated TV series by IMDb (internet movie database) users. Directed by Lakmal Dharmaratne and starring Thumindu Dodantenna, Yureni Noshika and Kalana Gunasekera in pivotal roles, Koombiyo chronicles the life of Jehan and Priyantha who attempt to maneuver their way through a dog-eat-dog world.

The biggest appeal for this show, maybe, its short runtime per episode – which at approximately 20 minutes, give or take, packs a punch in its offering while maintaining momentum. The actors embody their characters well and are convincing in their roles. The thematic undercurrents are relevant. Together, the elements make for entertaining viewing. Is it perfect? Of course not. No TV show is. Koombiyo, however, does a darn good job and is without a doubt a game changer. All that’s missing now are English subtitles that will make the show accessible to a wider international audience.