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A bouquet to Malini on a trail-blazing career

Compiled by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

She needs no introduction. Her name itself brings flashes of the memorable characters she portrayed on the local silver screen. She was the chief box office draw without equal in the local cinema during a career spanning nearly four decades and bagged all the local film awards on offer whilst also winning international fame for the country.

Malini Senehelatha Fonseka, the undoubted Queen of the local silver screen will be accorded a fitting tribute for the entertainment and joy she provided to thousands of film lovers, with a felicitation film festival which will take place from April 23.

The festival will be followed by a grand felicitation ceremony to be held at the BMICH on April 30 which will be a star studded affair bringing together all artistes who played a significant part in the career of this unique actress while also depicting the many highlights on her path to fame.

In a career spanning for four decades, Malini has acted in 142 films, 14 stage plays and 16 teledramas. As many other accomplished artistes, Malini too came to the movie industry via the stage.

Within a brief period of five years from 1963 to 1967, Malini acted in 14 stage plays out of which - Akal Wessa went on to grab awards at the State Drama Festival in 1965.

This proved a turning point in the fortunes of the demure lass from Kelaniya and catapulted her to the silver screen in what was to be the beginning of a long and tumultuous movie career.

She made her debut in 1968 in the film " Punchi Baba " .It became an instant hit with Malini the cynosure of all eyes. She became a success overnight and Producers were queuing up to grab her for their films.

Her talents were spotted by veteran film maker Dr. Lester James Peiris who singed her up for his film "Nidhanaya". She was not to disappoint and gave a sterling performance opposite the redoubtable Gamini Fonseka. The film won an International award.

Her performance in films such as Hatara Denama Soorayo, Thushara, Bambaru Avith, Soldadu Unnehe, Siripala saha Ran Manika, Pembara Madhu, Hingana Kolla, Aradhana, Siri Medura proved a huge success and placed her in high demand. Her popularity reached a zenith with the film Thushara in which she starred with heartthrob of the local cinema Vijaya Kumaratunga.

The pair became much sought after with movie makers and the films in which they starred together inevitably became box office hits.

She also gave memorable performance in films such as Eya Den Loku Lamayek, Diyamathi, Beddegama, Raktha, Ektamge, Wadula and Madhusamaya.

A unique feature in Malini's career is that she was fortunate to work with directors of different calibre - she acted in highly successful commercial films and highly acclaimed art films which even went onto gain international recognition.

At a press conference held last Wednesday, a member of the organising committee and ANCL (Lake House) Director Editorial Bandula Padmakumara said Malini is a ' legend ' in the local cinema. " Hers was a path breaking performance which paved the way for many freshers to follow in her steps . She was a beacon to up and coming female artistes at the time," he added.

He noted " it is high time that we pay back for the enjoyment and pleasure we derived from her acting and her contribution to the local cinema and in particular and the country in general."

Veteran actor and Gampaha District UNP MP Ravindra Randeniya described Malini as a unique character who kept her popularity in tact for three generations. "She was really dedicated to the film industry and made a huge contribution for its upliftment." In recent years, Malini also took to directing films and teledramas amply demonstrating her varied talents in many spheres.

More than two dozen awards including Presidential, Sarasaviya, OCIC and international is an endorsement of her talent to prove her talent. Malini expressed her contentment with her achievements." But I want to do much for the improvement of the industry."

Commenting on the felicitation ceremony, Malini said: "In the past too, some people wanted to hold a felicitation ceremony for me. But I refused such proposals since I felt that it was not appropriate.

However, Malini feels that this felicitation ceremony would further boost her confidence in serving the local film industry." I want to remain in this sector for many more years and this would further strengthen me.

Besides, it has been planned to hold separate felicitations for Malini by the Past Pupils Association of the Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya which is the alma mater of Malini. "It will be held at on April 22 at the Vidyalankara Pirivena, Peliyagoda and a felicitation book on Malini will also be launched," Veteran film director H.D. Premaratne said.

Twenty one films starring Malini has been selected for the film festival which will be held at the Elphinstone Theatre, Maradana from April 23 to 29. Three different films will be screened on each day at 10.00 am, 2.00 pm and 6.00 pm.

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Diesel-powered XXX drives into Majestic

A new breed of secret agent - XXX, a spy thriller starring hot Hollywood actor Vin Diesel is now screened at the Majestic Cinema, Colombo.

This action packed movie revolves round Xander Cage (Diesel) an underground thrill seeker who is forcibly recruited by Security Agents to bust a renegade Russian group involved in the deadly business of manufacturing bio-chemical weapons. A bald and tattooed Xander enjoys being engaged in thrilling exercises and death defying stunts. He is a sports junkie loving hot cars.

While looking for a new kind of smart person to eliminate an impending threat from a Russian break-away underworld gang, US Security authorities force Xander to work with the State.

In turn, authorities promise to wipe his slate clean if he cooperates.

Xander successfully infiltrates the underworld gang operating from Prague and the real drama begins to unfold as he tries to complete his mission and save the world. The film is released in Sri Lanka by Cinema Entertainment Limited.

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Pathiraja in retrospect

Paradige (On the Run)

Veteran film director Dharmasena Pathiraja will mark a milestone in his path-breaking career when he receives international exposure at the Singapore International Film Festival next week.

The Dharmasena Pathiraja Retrospective will be one of the highlights at the 16th Singapore International Film Festival scheduled to be held from 21st April to 03rd May this year.

This will be the first international retrospective of Pathiraja films. This exposure is in recognition of his trailblazing work in the Asian region, which has hitherto not received the place it deserves. Ahas Gawwa (One League of Sky), Bambaru Evith (The Wasps are Here), Paradige (On the Run), Soldadu Unnehe (Old Solider) and Ponman, (Tamil film) will be screened in the retrospective.

Pathiraja emerged as a political conscious film-maker in the early seventies. His debut feature " Ahas Gawwa " made in 1974 broke new ground with its urban lower middle class emphasis. It was considered as the pioneering effort towards the alternative film making in Sri Lanka. Three young men have to face the realities of adult life as they move on from youthful frolicking to battle issues of unemployment, restlessness, and the allure of the city.

Bambaru Evith was made in 1978 and produced by Thilak Godamanne. Based on Kalpitiya - a fishing village this film demonstrates powerfully Pathiraja's desire to fashion a socially committed cinema.

Ponmani was made in 1978 when Pathiraja was attached to the Sinhala Department of the Jaffna University.

It is his only Tamil language film which portrays a starkly different socio-economic culture and political climate.

Set in the northern city of Jaffna, it traces the fortunes and concerns of an economically depleted high caste lower middle class family.

Paradige made in 1980 focuses on the inabilities of youthful urban life, its search for roots, and its fight for survival. It was based on a short story written by Ajith Thilakasena.

Soldadu Unnehe made in 1981, is a film about four people, all exiles from society, bound together by ties of affection and mutual inter-dependence. It was produced by Pathiraja himself.

Besides, the Singapore festival will have a special focus on Sri Lankan cinema. Asoka Handagama's Thani Thatuwen Piyambanna (Flying with One Wing) will be screened in the competitive section titled Silver Screen Awards.

Boodee Keerthisena's Mille Soya (Bounjourno Itali) and Professor Sunil Ariyaratne's Sudu Sevaneli (White Shadows) are included in the Asian Cinema Section. Pathiraja has also been bestowed the honour of serving in the Silver Screen Awards and Ashley Ratnavibhushana will serve in the FIPRESCI/NETPAC joint Jury.

The Asian Film Centre has coordinated the Sri Lankan package of eight films. A Retrospective of Dharmasena Pathiraja in an international film festival has been a dream of AFC for many years.

Asian Film Centre will publish a booklet titled "An Incomplete Sentence: The films of Dharmasena Pathiraja" to mark this occasion.

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