A cinematic legend
Even after a
40-year long cinematic career when most stars fade away, screen
legend Malini Fonseka still tops the headlines.
The evergreen actress appears unstoppable in the award
bagging feat winning yet another laurel for herself and the
country at an international film festival in India.
Malini won a Special Jury award for her role in Akasa Kusum
directed by Prasanna Vithanage and was presented a Silver
Peacock plus a cash award. Of course Malini who dominated the
silver screen for over two decades with no rival in sight is by
no means a stranger to international awards and citations.
In fact she was the first Lankan actress to burst into the
international firmament with her unique acting feats. Her
achievements contributed in no small measure to obtain
recognition for Sri Lanka in the Asian film circuit.
Sri Lanka as a whole can be proud of the achievements of one
of its illustrious daughters who made international headlines in
her chosen field and brought fame and glory to the Motherland.
Today she is a household name in Sri Lanka with her fan club
remaining undiminished despite the ending of her glamour days as
a screen heroine.
Malini in fact brought in a unique dimension to acting and
set new standards for the new generation of stars to follow. She
broke free from the typecast module and introduced her own brand
of acting that struck a ready chord with cinema fans that
skyrocketed her into fame.
The country already boasts of a world renowned film maker in
Dr. Lester James Peries. There was also the late Gamini Fonseka
still holding the mantle of the uncrowned King of the Sinhala
cinema. To these legends we can safely add the name of Malini
Fonseka for her unique contribution to enrich the Sinhala
cinema.
That she keeps on bagging awards even in the sunset of her
career speaks volumes for the uniqueness of her talent. Though
no longer the pinup girl of the 70s when she took the Sinhala
cinema by storm Malini has shown that she is still a force to
reckon with.
The unprecedented fame she still enjoys also shows she is
still very much the toast of her numerous fans who have not
deserted her. It is hoped that her feats would prove a catalyst
for our emerging stars to up the benchmark in performances and
similarly earn laurels for the country.
The hallmark of Malini's success could be attributed to her
dedication and perseverance in a cut throat industry. That she
emerged as the Queen of the Sinhala cinema is a tribute to her
valour and determination which is worthy of emulation by the
present crop of stars.
Hers was no smooth ride to fame and stardom. She had to fight
every inch of the way to reach the pedestal which she occupies
today.
The Sinhala cinema has come long away in theme and content
from the Malini era. There is also the massive advancement in
film technology which gives an advantage to the present stars.
Yet the name of Malini Fonseka still remains on the lips of
cinema lovers of both young and old which indeed is a tribute to
the versatility of this evergreen star.
Speaking after receiving the award Malini expressed her hopes
for closer relationship between Sri Lanka and India and for
peace and happiness during these troubled times.
Let us hope that this message would resonate across the
borders and find empathy with all peace loving people of the two
countries.
There is no better medium than the arts to mend fences and
bring together fractured communities. This is proved by the
large following enjoyed by Tamil and Hindi films among the
majority Sinhalese in Sri Lanka.
Hopefully this scenario would be replicated in India
especially Tamil Nadu which had links to the nascent Sinhala
film industry. This message of Malini on this special occasion
it is hoped would find a chord with those South Indian artistes
paving the way for better understanding and brotherhood,
goodwill and reconciliation. |