One man, many characters
Channa Bandara WIJEKOON
He tops the list of great actors Sri Lanka has ever produced. His
performances on silver screen have kept the audiences spellbound. Then
after briefly disappearing from the reel, he is back, adding depth to
modern day productions like Tikiri Suwanda and Selvam.
Milestone performances
* Saradama
* Gehenu Geta
* Ranmuthu Duwa
* Getawarayo
* Chandiya
* Sarawita
* Allapu Gedara
* Seegiri Kashyapa
* Punchi Baba
* Dahasak Situwili
* Para Walalu
* Tun Man Handiya
* Welikathara
* Haralaksaya
* Thushara
* Desa Nisa
* Madol Duwa
* The God King
* Siripala Ha Ranmenika
* Gehenu Lamai
* Veera Puran Appu
* Bambaru Avith
* Siribo Aiya
* Baddegama
* Pura Handa Kaluwara
Joe Abeywickrama needs no introduction as an actor, as his name is
assimilated in the minds of all the local movie buffs. Proving his
mettle in the international arena Joe had been honoured with the Best
Asian Actor title for his performance in Prasanna Vithanage’s Pura Handa
Kaluwara at the 1999 Singapore International Film Festival. Here are
excerpts of an interview with Daily News ‘Projector’ in which the
versatile thespain shares his personal experiences in the sets and
behind the screen over many decades.
Joe Mahaththaya, as he is commonly addressed by the people in the
celluloid world, quietly walked to the gate to greet and receive us. The
trademark smile and the unique voice which had added credibility to this
great actor’s performances do not seem to let go of its grip. Yet, a
hint of weariness seems to reflect on his face.
After all, it is years since he dished an exceptional performance as
the cunning Gorin Mudalali, his breakthrough role, in D B Nihalsinghe’s
Welikathara (Desert).
Joe Abeywickarama Picture by Lalith C Gamage |
At the age 12 Joe got the opportunity to watch the latest English
films released at the Colombo Regal. They were released simultaneously
at Imperial theatre in Ratnapura, for the benefit of white men who
worked in the estates as Planters. Thus Hollywood giants like John Wayn,
David Niven, Lee Marvin and Marlon Brando who starred in these films,
became Joe’s heroes.
“We used to crawl to the gallery of the cinema to watch their films”,
Joe recalled with an impish smile.
There was a twinkle of the old mischief in the comic actor still
running in his blood.
These characters influenced the young lad to brush up his innate
acting skills and adapt a natural rhythm. This he portrayed to the hilt
in productions like Welikathara, Bambaru Awith, Baduth Ekka Horu and Ran
Muthu Doowa.
“It was hard to convince the Indian directors. A few actors like me
and Gamini tried our best to bring a natural acting style to Sinhala
cinema.
At the time, an actor was required to possess girlish looks to be
chosen for a main role. My profile pushed me to portray the next best
role, which was comedy.
I was determined to be an actor at any cost. Therefore I tried to
adapt to whatever role that came my way. It was a blessing in disguise
which helped me to gain versatility”, he says.
Joe has a great regard for Charlie Chaplin of the silent film era.
“If one can bring credibility to a comic role, he can perform any
character with ease”, he stressed, talking through experience.
“There should be a perfect blend of brains, skill, flexibility and
rhythm to bring a comic character to the fore.” He believes that acting
has to evolve with time.
“An actor has to be mindful of transformations in society and the
world as a whole and adjust to situations or he will perish like the
dinosaurs,” he said.
Speaking about his widely acclaimed role as Welikathara’s Gorin
Mudalali, Joe noted, “I had only acted in a handful of films like
Sarawita and Thun Man Handiya which portrayed me in serious roles. All
the others were comic characters.
I was in the danger of being confined to the comic actor category.
When Tissa Abeysekara showed me the scrip, I knew, portraying Gorin
Mudalali’s character in the film would bring me to the next level as a
versatile actor. The undying cowboy within me provided much inspiration
to take up the role.”
Director Nihalsinghe had been taken by surprise when Tissa suggested
Joe for the role. He had sought Joe out and said, “I was under the
impression that you are grooming yourself to follow Eddie Jayamanna. You
have taken a bold decision. The role is yours.”
Wickrama Randeniya, the police officer’s role, was originally suppose
to be played by Ananda Jayarathne. Joe had suggested Gamini Fonseka’s
name.
“I told them that if Gamini performed as my counterpart, my
projection of Gorin Mudalali will be strengthened. They accepted my
words without any hesitation.”
Work progressed smoothly. Gamini and Joe enjoyed the plot. Tissa’s
script itself provided room for them to add immense value to their
characters. “At one point it seemed like we two did turn into Inspector
Wickrama Randeniya and Gorin Mudalali. When it came to shooting the
final scenes which were the climax of storyline, the unexpected
happened”. Joe’s facial expressions highlighted the grim reality he was
going to unveil.
“The end scenes in the script were changed while shooting was in
progress.
I was informed that Gorin Mudalali should run in the final gun battle
with the police inspector merely to keep the police department and the
public sensor board officials at bay. I knew it was a dubious act and
resisted at first before compromising”.
In the original script, Gorin Mudalali dies in a face-to-face gun
battle with the police battalion. It was supposed to be an ‘eye for an
eye’ or a ‘no retreat-no surrender’ situation, which would have led to a
very emotional ending.
“I have never taken a rigid stance in a crisis situation in my acting
career. Flexibility brought me this far”, the exceptional artiste
concluded with a note of content.
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