Birthday Queen optimistic after shadows of terror:

New challenges,chances

Ruwini Jayawardana

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Trending along the path on reel she reached out to the hearts and minds of the public as no other in our course of life. Her school-girlish beauty robed in innocence and charm, coupled with modesty and an attractive smile drew millions to the theatres and established a Sri Lankan identity to local creations which would have been mere copies of Indian productions. Though many years have flown by, she had not lost her magical touch to thrill and tug at the heartstrings of the public.

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More than four decades have passed since Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka took the industry by storm. With 150 movies to her credit Malani recently reached the zenith of glory with Prasanna Vithanage’s Aakasa Kusum which won her the silver peacock award at the 39th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) last year. The gifted actress, dubbed ‘Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema’, will pass another hallmark in her life as she turns 62 on April 30.

“I am content with my accomplishments but I feel that I have much more to offer. It all depends on the script and the characters which are presented to me. I do not mind taking up a role in a single shot as long as the character is of interest to me and proves to be a challenge,” expressed the evergreen star who had excelled in artistic and commercial cinema as well as bagged a number of national and international accolades.

Her days are spent working towards incepting an Art Center in Jaffna, a project which she spearheads together with her fellow artistes and the National Film Corporation.

The group set the first step in collecting funds for the project by setting aside a date for movie buffs to contribute by visiting one of their neighbouring theatres and watching a movie. All the profits from theatres on March 22 were put to use in establishing the Art Center in the North.

Their next fundraising event will take form at the Viharamaha Devi Park on May 16. A New Year festival titled Bakmaha Cinemava, organized by Sarasaviya cinema weekly, will provide a novel experience to the public as all the leading artistes are expected to take part in the event. Fans would be able to meet their favourites and join them in some of the thrilling Avurudu games.

“We hope to hold a fashion show with around 50 popular fashion designers in the island in the future. Both artistes and professional models will take part in the show,” Malani noted.

Queried which period in her career she holds dearest to her heart the screen queen commented that she willingly bore with the misfortunes as well as the glories of the past.

“Each period was special in its own way. I always looked towards the brighter side of life and the experiences it brought,” she remarked.

Which profession would she have taken if she had not ventured into acting? “It’s too late for me to contemplate that question but I wanted to become a doctor during my school days. I was also interested in agriculture so I dare say I would have picked a profession in one of those sectors,” she smiled.

Playing her life back in rewind she recalled how she made her debut in acting with the stage play Noratha Ratha in 1963 before turning to the wide screen with Tissa Liyanasuriya’s Punchi Baba (alongside Joe Abeywickrema and Anthony C. Perera) in 1967.

“My father, Gilbert Fonseka, was not quite taken up with the idea of me joining the movies but my mother, Seelawathie, was very supportive. Both my parents were pleased with my success. I feel proud that so many members of my family have joined the scene for it would have brought great happiness to my mother,” she humbly added.

She confessed that though she had started off on stage, her success on screen took her away from the stage dramas. However, she admitted that her passion for the stage had lasted throughout the years as she would not hesitate to take up a role in a play if the character caught her interest.

Among the many characters she had taken up on the reel, Irene of Nidhanaya is among those which she holds close to her heart. She expressed her sorrow towards the untimely death of Nidhanaya scriptwriter Dr. Tissa Abeysekara adding that she also cherished her role, Emma Nona, in his teledrama Pitagamkarayo.

“He was very clear and precise on what he expected from us and it was very easy to work with him. His scripts were exceptional and he had left a vacuum which will not be easy to fill,” she said.

Though new blood is instilled to cinema each passing year the public still dote on the faces which adorned the silver screen in the bygone era.

Thus many young directors tend to offer minor roles to the veterans as a means of including their names to the cast.

“Such offers have come my way but I have declined them as I was not satisfied with the roles,” she said adding that except for Aakasa Kusum, which will be screened in July, no other creations are on the way.

She hopes to compile a book on her experiences in the field but, she adds that it is something she does not hope to pursue immediately. Another project she hopes to take up is another teledrama to follow her last production, Doni.

“It is pleasing that the conflict period is coming to a close. We have suffered for nearly 33 years under the shadows of terror and finally there are rays of hope. Now our mind should turn towards rebuilding the country. You need a lot patience,” she noted adding that she hopes to spend her birthday with the war heroes of Ragama Ranaviru Sevana.