Ara Soysa's films often explore themes related to social justice, politics, and human relationships. His notable works include "Dun Goda Tarwe" (1984), "Maya" (1992), and "Sihinaya" (1998). Soysa's films are characterized by their nuanced storytelling, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes.
While mainstream audiences often recall the flamboyant anti-heroes of later decades, Ara Soysa introduced a melancholic realism that was ahead of its time. It asks a haunting question: What happens to a man when society labels him a criminal, not because of his actions, but because of his birth?
Upon its limited release, the Ara Soysa Sinhala film received a polarized response. Critics praised it as a brave, experimental work. Noted film scholar Prof. Ariyaratne Athugala wrote: "Ara Soysa is to Sinhala cinema what Bergman’s 'Through a Glass Darkly' is to Swedish film. It is a raw nerve exposed."