Revelations on a screen icon

Rwini JAYAWARDANA

Sri Lanka's legendary actor, Emperor of Sinhala Cinema, Doyen of the Silver Screen and actor par excellence. These are some of the names, which are linked with one of the most versatile actors that Sri Lanka has ever possessed: Gamini Fonseka.

A master of realistic techniques Gamini weaved details into his characters which made them come alive before the audience's eyes. This was his innate talent which he sharpened through knowledge and practice and it was his broader scope of acting that helped him outshine many.

To study about him means to unveil half of the golden chapter of Sri Lankan cinema. A towering figure on screen, he had acted in nearly a 100 films starting off as an extra in 'Rekawa' and starring opposite heroines ranging from Malini Fonseka to Sangeetha Weeraratne.

Though he was not the protagonist of Sandeshaya, he managed to bewitch the viewers and steal the show. A star was born overnight. There was no stopping him from then on as he proved his acting skill in productions like Nidhanaya, Ranmuthu Duwa, Gamperaliya, Welikathara, Sarungale, Sagarayak Meda and many more.

Then the time arrived for him to take over the director's task and this he did with 'Parasathumal'. He also played the lead role in the film which won him the best actor award at the Sarasaviya and Swarna Sankha festivals.

Unfortunately, the present generation of artistes was unable to make use of this personality with vast cinematic experience. He was mostly an isolated figure towards the end of his life and though he would have loved to share his expertise with youngsters, he was not given the opportunity hand down his techniques. Nor was he given the recognition he deserved as none of the universities presented him with a doctrine or helped to promote him internationally.

All this and many more facts are unearthed in senior journalist, lecturer and art critic Nuwan Nayanajith's Gamini: Vishveeya Rupavedayaka Asiyanu Purogamiya (Gamini: Asia's pioneer in the universality of the art of acting). First released in 2004, the book was a sell out especially because it houses a wealth of information connected with cinema and Gamini's inimitable acting style.

A specialty in Gamini: Vishveeya Rupavedayaka Asiyanu Purogamiya is Nuwan's theory of identifying Gamini as the pioneering realistic actor in Asia. This technique took over the normal style of drama acting which prevailed during the era. It is a concept which had derived from the West. Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute introduced method acting to the field. Artistes like Marlon Brando and James Dean exemplified the art in their performances and later moved onto a more realistic acting style.

Though Balraj Sahni, Dilip Kumar and Toshiro Mifune tried to free themselves from melodramatic acting styles they did not quite succeed. It was Gamini who managed to break from these traditions and develop a method which made him synonymous with what Brando offered the West.

Evidence reveals that Gamini's exceptional acting talents are ones which he had developed though self observation and self study. He read widely on the subject and watched many of globally acclaimed productions. He was immensely interested in the school of global thoughts on acting styles and theories affected and adopted them to shape his own identity as an actor. He was his own teacher and he experimented with his capabilities.

Gamini: Vishveeya Rupavedayaka Asiyanu Purogamiya initially started off as a thesis presented by Nuwan for his Post Graduate Diploma in Writership and Communication of the Sri Jayawardenapura University. It was later launched as a book which Gamini dubbed as his 'rebirth'.

The book is an exploration of the five-decade contribution of the individual as an actor, director, politician, lyricist and a fearless fighter who worked to secure the professional dignity of artistes. It brings many interesting facts which had lain hidden within the layers of time and personality of the cinema personality.

A number of rare photographs linked with his artistic life and personal life that have not been published in any newspaper or magazine are also found in the book. The views of his peers and family give an added depth to the work.

The reprint of Gamini: Vishveeya Rupavedayaka Asiyanu Purogamiya was launched on March 21 to coincide with the artiste's 76th birth anniversary. The Surasa book is a Fast Publishing (Pvt) Ltd publication and is headed by Prem Dissanayake. The latest version also includes a new section with updated facts about the film legend. It also comprises selected reviews of the book when it was released in 2004.

An arresting fact which links the author of the work to his subject is that both share their birthdays on March 21. Nuwan had been acquainted with Gamini from childhood and realized his worth in an era which does not offer any prominent institutions or schools to train youngsters on acting. Nuwan has several other books to his name: Adyatana Cinemave Lingika Pravanatava (The trends of Sexuality in the Contemporary Cinema), Sri Lankeya Cinema Vansaya, Lester Virachita Lekhana Sanhita, Gaddarika Pravahaya hevath Sukiri Batillanga Lokaya (Undiscerning), Sonduru Adiyuru Sakasuvano (The Humane Editor and Director), Pataka Vichara Saha Alochana and Nava Magaka Sankathana. He will also be celebrating 20 years in journalism this year. He also said that he hopes to release an updated version of the 'Sri Lankeya Cinema Vansaya' soon.

SAARC brings Iqbal on screen

The SAARC Cultural Centre and the Indian Cultural Centre will screen Indian movie Iqbal at the National Film Corporation Cinema Hall on April 25 at 6.30 pm.

Written by Vipul K Rawal and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor the movie is based on one of India's greatest passions: cricket. It stars Naseeruddin Shah, Shreyas Talpade, Shweta Prasad, Yatin Kareyekar, Prateeksha Londkar and Girish Karnad. Kapil Dev makes a special appearance.

The Film is a story about determination, hardwork, and an unending passion to become a pace bowler in the national cricket team.

"When the heart begins to think like the head... that's when real success is achieved, " says coach Naseeruddin Shah to his special student, a deaf-and-mute boy who strives to become a national cricket player.

The world of Nagesh Kukunoor's latest film is a mellow one of basic and valuable emotions. This isn't the first film where the director has dealt with the ambiguous world of adolescent dreams. Unlike Kukunoor's Rockford, Iqbal rocks to a rustic and heartfelt raga-rhythm.

The location: a small Muslim village. The texture: tender and basic. The end result: a film that exudes the familiar aura of sweet dreams. Destiny, fortitude and diligence aren't treated as lofty concepts, but offshoots of destiny, better left unruffled rather than subjected to serious tampering.

Substance doesn't sit uneasily over 'Iqbal'. It's a derivative influence implanted on the radically uncomplicated narration by the director's deft, if somewhat over-simplified, vision. You can't come away from this big-little film without cheering for its twin heroes - the physically challenged 18-year old Iqbal and his washed-out inebriated coach whose twinkling eyes and inbuilt sense of humour carry forward the tale from its deliberately frail beginnings to a rousing finale.

Iqbal qualifies as a must-see effort, not so much for its virtuosity as its artlessness of vision. No one here tells a lie. Not the storytellers, not his creations.

Avatar 2 delayed

Avatar fans who are anxiously awaiting the return of their favourite blue-tailed friends might not want to read this.

Thanks in part to director James Cameron’s busy schedule, the second film in the Avatar franchise might not see the light of day until 2015. Said to take place mostly underwater, the studio was initially aiming to have it ready for the end of 2014, with Avatar 3 following shortly behind.

Jon Landau, Cameron’s producing partner said, “We’re not naming dates, but I think 2014 will be a tough date for us to make. It’s about getting it right.”

Cameron, though busy, does seem to be making the movie franchise a priority. In an interview with the New York Times, he reveals he will be moving his family to New Zealand to be closer to the special effects company that will be helping him explore the underwater world on Pandora.

Empire Online

Hathaway cuts off flowing locks

Anne Hathaway debuted her dramatic new haircut after stepping out for a night out in London, where she is filming the upcoming movie musical.

She looked pale and gaunt as she attempted to hide her boyish hairdo from the cameras while ducking out of the Box Club in the Soho area of the British capital.

Hathaway has shorn her brunette locks into a close crop to play the part of doomed prostitute Fantine, who sells her hair and teeth to make money.

A spokesperson was recently forced to deny reports that The Devil Wears Prada star has been surviving on an extreme diet to lose weight for the film.

Hollywood.com

Khan to expand cast in Housefull 3

Director Sajid Khan plans to expand the cast in his next film Housefull 3, a follow up to the multi-starrer Housefull 2: The Dirty Dozen, which is unspooling successfully in theatres worldwide.

"More and more actors and co-stars will join us in part three," he said, referring to the next picture plans at a press conference held at the Resort World Sentosa before the premiere.

"I have made a lot of friends while working on this film and they will likely play in the next film," said Khan, who directed Nadiadwala Grandsons Entertainment's 10th film Housefull 2.

Though Singapore was not a major Hindi film market, the choice of hosting the premiere in the city state was a good opportunity "to join many friends and have fun together", stressed Khan who completed Housefull 2 in 70 days. "We have many friends over here and it is about having a good time," he said when asked about choosing Singapore.

Housefull 2 a comedy, also brought together brothers Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor for the first time in a film.

It is their first film together in their 40 years of acting career, said Khan. Rishi Kapoor also talked about his leading hero days, saying he introduced 23 film heroines in his career. "I am very happy to be part of this team," said Kapoor.

The movie also stars Mithun Chakraborty, Akshay Kumar, Asin Thottumkal, John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez, Ritesh Deshmukh, Zarine Khan, Shreyas Talpade and Shazahn Padamsee. Housefull 2: The Dirty Dozen is screening at Majestic cinema's Platinum theatre.

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