‘Jack’- multifaceted master

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

A multi-tasker, he had made his name first as an actor and later as a producer, singer, screenplay writer, novelist, lyricist and director. A controversial figure who is not afraid to voice his opinions publicly, he had played many noteworthy roles which signify his acting prowess.

Throughout the past couple of years he had made a name for himself in an entirely new sector: history. Starting off with ‘Maha Sinhalaye Vansa Kathawa’ (The Chronicle of the Great Sinhalese) he then went on to make several other travel and history related documentaries like ‘Ganga Dige’, ‘Salang Hanthe’ and ‘Roma Puranaya’. ‘Maha Sancharaya’ (The Great Travel), which is telecasting on Rupavahini, will complete 100 episodes at the end of the month.

While relishing the success of his flamboyance in senior professor Sunil Ariyaratne’s historic film, ‘Kusa Paba’, Jackson Anthony disclosed his thoughts about the great endeavour. Excerpts:

Q: You have become more of a historian than an artiste.

A: I am an artiste who harbours a passion for history. Artistes generally perceive what kind of role they have to play according to the period.

I have never studied history for my degree. It was only a subject in my school timetable and a sub subject in my university education.

The change came with the millennium. That is when our interests diverted to globalization.

The world brought out the ‘international’ concept and to achieve this we need to create a sense of nationalism. That is our foundation. Our country tried to achieve the international arena with this void in its folds.

The government excluded history from the school syllabus in 1972, believing it does not provide knowledge required for seeking a job.

Therefore the citizens of the country did not have much knowledge about their origins once they stepped into the modern world.

I decided to address this issue since I believe that it is better to act individually instead of waiting for the government to take on the task.

The media is the second government in a country. They too have power to act and implement ideologies. I began my project and gleaned a lot of information on the subject.

The distribution process started off with ‘Maha Sinhalaye Vansa Kathawa’. This evoked an interest towards our history. Therefore the Education Ministry once again included the subject in the school curriculum.

Q: Why do you say that Princess Pabavathi is a good example of an Asian woman?

A: My dissertation for my Sinhala Special Honours degree was ‘The Woman, Tradition and the Path in which Poetry Evolved’. It comprises 420 typed pages and is the largest dissertation ever given by a student of the Sinhala section at Colombo University. It comprises the global viewpoint towards the Asian woman.

The final chapter of the dissertation is on Princess Pabavathi. She is a fine example of an Asian woman. She has the ability to attract others and she embodies power. She managed to control the king among kings of India during her era. He even follows her to her palace disguised as a servant and performing household duties.

However Pabavathi is tricked by another woman – her mother-in-law, Queen Seelavathi. This shows that though women have knowledge they used it in the wrong manner.

Though Pabavathi faced all these dilemmas, she manages to overcome the problems. I used this as a symbol and did research on Pabavathi and Kusa during my university days. All my knowledge on the subject derives from this project.

Q: King Kusa has been portrayed in many ways in our literary history. Does your depiction of Kusa tally with the one in Dr Tissa Abeysekara’s screenplay?

A: Kusa is mainly seen by the Sri Lankan society through the 523rd Jathaka story in the Jathaka story series. This portrayal of Kusa changed in other productions done by artistes based on the story.

King Parakramabahu II wrote ‘Kav Silumina’ in the 13th century. His picture of Kusa is different from the one found in the Jathaka tale. The Kusa in the Jathaka tale is a Bodhisathva character. It has been formed according to the majority’s taste. ‘Kav Silumina’ is written for literary enthusiasts. This Kusa has depth and a mysterious aura. It addresses a lot of psychological issues in connection with Kusa.

Alagiyavanna Mukavati wrote ‘Kusa Jataka Kavya’ which is similar to the portrayal of the Kusa projected in the Jathaka story. John de Silva did ‘Kusa Jahtaka Drushya Kavya’. Later Prof Sarachchandra wrote ‘Pabavathi’, the stage play, and his characterization of Kusa was different from those in the previous texts. The writers manipulated this role and attributed whatever characteristics they wanted for their productions.

It is not difficult to understand the Kusa in Prof Ariyaratne’s production because he has clearly stated that his production is based on the Jathaka tale.

Q: Critics have stated that they are not satisfied with your performance in ‘Kusa Paba’, compared with your past performances in films like ‘Bawa Duka’, ‘Aswesuma’ and ‘Guerilla Marketing’.

In Bawa Duka

In Guerilla Marketing

A: Some look at the film through ‘Kav Silumina’. There is still room to make a movie based on the story portrayed in ‘Kav Silumina’. If I was going to take on that endeavour, I would have acted the role differently with a lot more facial expressions.

I will not try to bring the goodness of a Bodhisathva character to the film but project the characteristics of a man.

I knew my limitations when I took on this role. I knew that the production does not demand an in-depth look at the character. I have to perform a role assigned by the director up to his expectations.

Q: What was the most difficult part in bring Kusa to life?

A: Normally an audience does not like grotesque characters. It is easy to win their affections with good looks. I had to perform the role in a manner so that this ugly character is able to win the audience’s hearts. The audience should not reject him. I cannot generate humour or act as a joker or fool in this attire because he is a Bodhisathva and demands their respect.

Q: A lot of forces worked against you when you screened ‘Aba’. How has the response been when you took on Kusa’s role?

A: Around 95 percent approve of me performing the role. The director himself has made public comments that he could only think of me for this character. Around four percent pondered over the decision. About one percent rejected this notion. We go with the majority’s outlook.

Q: Do you have any plans to venture into politics?

A: I was born with innate artistic skills. Therefore I will die as an artiste someday. I did not come from a generation of artistes. My only link with art was the dramas that my father staged in the village. However I have a passion for the art and I have been vying to become an artiste ever since I can remember. This is my line of destiny and I will continue along its path.

I am passing a stage where there is a huge political disturbance in the country. The country changed its destiny after 2005. Sri Lanka was controlled by the wealthy Sinalese who were upholding western values till then. After a long period the local perspective which was rejected in 1815 had come to the fore. The society needed someone to explain this concept to them and as an artiste I did the job. I dubbed it as the leader whom the people have been expecting throughout the years. I realized this through observation and what I have learnt. I simply voiced my voice on the truth I perceived. I did not side with any party to do this. There are some who benefited from this as well as there are those who considered it a disadvantage to themselves. They each either considered me as an ally or as someone from the enemy camp. I am neither. I do not sell what I say to gain profit.

Q: What are your upcoming productions?

A: I am getting ready for my next film. I waited 10 years after ‘Julietge Boomikawa’ to make ‘Aba’. I do not have the problem of allocating a producer because I have already made a name as a successful director. I am very picky when choosing what I want. Therefore I am in no hurry to complete the task.

I also acted in a teledrama after 13 years. It is called ‘Appachchi’ and is directed by Ananda Abeynayake. I also acted in ‘Pravegaya’, a film co-produced by India and Sri Lanka.

Belgium welcomes Sanath’s movie

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Renowned actor turned film-maker Sanath Gunatileke's maiden movie ‘Ekamath Eka Rateka’ (Once Upon a Time) was showcased at The Mons Film Festival, Brussels, Belgium, recently.

Speaking to the Daily News on how the venture came to be Sanath said that the Sri Lankan ambassador in Belgium, Ravinath Ariyasinghe approached him with the suggestion of showing the movie in Belgium after noticing the French influence in the production.

“He not only made all the necessary arrangements but also assigned Madhuka Wickrama Arachchi to the task. I sincerely feel that our Sri Lankan ambassadors have the power to support the Sri Lankan film-makers to exhibit their films in the countries where they serve,” Sanath said.

He says that a lot of films from Africa are screened at the film festival.

“The main reason for this is the relationship which they share with European countries like Belgium and France. It roots from several years back. I got the opportunity to gain an understanding about African cinema and stood on the same platform as globally famous film directors and distributors. Despite working in the French medium. they are driven by the spirit to showcase their creations to the rest of the world. They are all for working with and doing co-productions with Asian countries,” he explained.

He added that a lot of discussions have taken place on why he had used one of Emile Zola’s stories for his production. “Once they understood that I had the correct interpretation of the story, they suggested the idea od working together,” Sanath said.

Senegal film-maker Khalilou Ndiaye made the following comment about ‘Ekamath Eak Rateka'.

“The beginning of this film is very slow. The first part of the presentation was boring that people could have left the hall. Although there were a lot of situations which were of interest, the scenes are monotonous with the guy performing the same actions over and over again. We are triggered by suspense about the slow-moving plot. Towards the end the situations take us by surprise and this makes it a good production. I like the music. The performance is very interesting and I like it.” Speaking about his experience in Brussels, Sanath noted that he has seen several means in which the Belgium government had developed the country's cinema sector.

“There is a special theatre for screening art films made in Europe and the rest of the world. The employees of the theatres were paid wither by the Belgium government or the District Government Councils. The theatre owners only have to manage the maintenance costs. The country had taken several steps to cultivate the habit of encouraging its public to watch quality and meaningful films,” he said adding that all the measurements are monitored by the state officials.

He had also visited the Cinemathec which houses the history of films and its development. Masterpieces from around the world are screened here at a special rate.

“'Gone With the Wind’ was screened on the day I visited the venue. I also met a group of young actors who are keen to work with me in the future,” he said.

Berry’s engagement ring mystery

Halle Berry’s engagement ring isn’t just fancy and expensive, it’s also mysterious. Yesterday the news of Berry’s engagement to French actor Olivier Martinez was confirmed. And today, some pretty incredible, Bond villain-esque rumors involving the superstar’s engagement ring are getting around.

The ring, according to jeweler Robert Mazlo, is a ‘one of a kind,’ perfectly colored 4-carat emerald, forged with two diamonds, recovered from closed-down mines in Muzo, Colombia. Mazlo adds that a secret message that only Berry and Martinez can understand is inscribed on the ring.

In fact, the ‘message’ can only be read by the person wearing the ring which kind of sounds kind of like the compass from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, the Hand of Glory from ‘Harry Potter’, or the feelings stick from ‘New Girl’. Mazlo explains that the message encrypted in the ring exemplifies the personal story of Berry’s and Martinez’s love. As if Halle Berry wasn’t magical enough!

People Magazine

Jacqueline set for Hollywood outing?

Following in the footsteps of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (The Pink Panther 2, 2009) and Bipasha Basu (Singularity), Jacqueline Fernandez might also be set for her big break in Hollywood.

The actor has been approached for Definition of Fear, a Canadian-British venture that marks the directorial debut of producer James Simpson who backed ‘The Merchant of Venice’ (2004), starring Al Pacino.

“I have been approached for the film. Things are still at a discussion stage, so I will announce it only once the project is finalised,” she says.

To be shot in Canada, UK and New York, the film is likely to go on floors this summer. In the meantime, the former Miss Sri Lanka has signed up for her maiden outing in a film from her motherland, ‘Pravegaya'.

“I will just make a small appearance in the film. It’s something I was also keen on doing because the film industry (in Sri Lanka) is starting to open up and so it needs all the encouragement it can get. This is my way of showing them support,” says Jacqueline, who plays John Abraham’s girlfriend, Bobby, in Sajid Khan’s comic caper, ‘Housefull 2'.

Ask her about the project and she says, “I am very excited because it’s a huge film for me. And since my last film (‘Murder 2’ with Emraan Hashmi) opened last year, it has been a while since I have had a release.”

Ask if comedy was a tough genre to take on and Jacqueline says, “It hasn’t been very difficult for the girls because we didn’t have too many funny scenes to perform.

What was really difficult for me was to remain serious and straight-faced in sequences where actors like Akshay Kumar and Johnny Lever were doing comedy.”

Hindustan Times