Icon of Innocence

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

She was Sinhala cinema's 'tear drop' and portrait of innocence. She made her debut into cinema in the late 1960s and went on to appear in more than 100 films including Viragaya, Kula Geya and Maha Gedara which won her Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and merit awards.

She later tried her hand at many other domains in the entertainment field: producing to script writing and directing. She has around 10 successful teledramas to her name. Mayura Asapuwa is telecasting on Rupavahini these days while a children's teledrama, Sundara Viramaya is in the waiting list.

Sriyani Amarasena talks about matters close to her heart, including her new teledrama shot in Italy and why she has not yet ventured into films.

Q: You tend to base your teledramas abroad rather than in Sri Lankan locations.

Sriyani and Gamini in a scene from a movie

A scene from Rattaran Amma

With Sanath Gunatileke in Viragaya

A: I have shot productions in 13 countries. I started off my directorial venture with Ira Bata Taruwa in England. We later moved onto Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Cyprus and Italy. Some of the locations in these countries are very beautiful, but we have even more picturesque locations in Sri Lanka.

However the people in these countries have made these beautiful places accessible for travellers. They have publicized them accurately and provided facilities to reach the destinations without any difficulties. For example they have built cable cars to reach the peak of high mountains. We shot near Ryan Falls in Switzerland recently. There are three platforms constructed near the waterfall to look at it from different angles.

They have also built resting places for travellers without harming the surroundings.

Sri Lankan waterfalls like the Dunhinda and Diyaluma are more beautiful than Ryan Falls but it is very difficult to reach them. We can bring a lot of tourists to see such beauties places if they are provided with the basic facilities of getting there.

Q: Has starting off as an actress helped you to excel as a producer, script writer and director?

A: I loved the arts from my schooldays. My parents too did not stand in the way of my passion so I was able to take part in many of the aesthetic items such as music, painting, singing and literary activities at school. I studied in three schools: Meethotamulla Vidyalaya, Musaeus College and Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo.

Later I joined stage dramas and gained recognition in Dayananda Gunawardena's Nari Bena. I joined films after marriage.

I believe that the foundation of my multi talents was laid by my parents and teachers. My husband, Arthur U Amarasena, was a pillar of strength for me in cinema because he too is connected to the field. My 'success story' is a blend of all these experiences along with my knowledge and personal observations.

I was an ardent reader from childhood. I also tried my hand at creative writing from a tender age. My parents used to take me to watch movies and films.

My husband too took me to see some of the best quality movies to hit the screen. I was well acquainted with some of these works by the time I joined cinema.

When my acting career took off, I met some of the thespians in the scene. I was able to work with veterans like Dr Tissa Abeysekara, Dr Lester James Peries and Dr D B Nihalsinghe.

Q: Actors tend to get stuck with stereotyped roles. This has happened to you too. Was that the reason you decided to take up directing and acting in your own productions?

A: I got a lot of offers to portray characters as innocent village girls at the beginning of my career. Maybe my facial expressions suited such characters.

Later I got some diverse roles like Somawathi in Sarungalaya, Missy Nona in Tharanaya, Sarojini in Viragaya and the character I portrayed in Maha Gedara. I was satisfied with my roles. I believe that an actor vies for diverse roles.

There are many leading female figures in society. If an actress gets a chance to give life to such a role, it will mark a milestone in her career. For instance Meryl Streep was able to portray to Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. Maybe it is difficult to make a movie on such a figure due to the political situation but you get a school of knowledge in trying to project such a challenging role. I would really love to play a real life figure like that.

Q: One of the biggest issues that the film and teledrama industry is facing today is the lack of good scripts. However your teledramas earn high ratings.

A: I choose different themes for my productions. As a woman director I also tend to select a production in which a female character stands out.

I touch upon themes which can set an example to women rather than make productions which disgrace them. It is necessary to send this message across in a subtle manner.

A woman is the core of the society. She has many facets for us to explore. Women from all walks of life have shared their tales with me.

I realized that young women know very little about the society. Their realization mostly comes towards a mature age.

For example after Rattaran Amma was screened I got a telephone call from a youth abroad who said that he had watched it many times because it reminds him of his own experience with his mother.

I was pleased that a production like that helped him realize his mother's value. A similar incident happened after Ira Bata Taruwa was telecast. A woman related that she faced a similar experience.

The only difference was that she was unable to find the child she gave away for adoption. It is good to get feedback and see that your production has made such an impact on the audience. I hope to gather some of my scripts and launch them as a book.

Q: Mayura Asapuwa has a unique theme.

A: The teledrama is about a minister living in Sri Lanka during the three decade terrorist period. He is a heroic figure who goes to any length to free the country from terrorists.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa told us that movies like Aba had helped to build patriotic values in the society. That was the seed of this plot.

Q: Can arts and politics go hand in hand?

A: I find politics interesting but I do not have any ideas to join the scene. I have studied the subject from school days. As artistes we have a duty towards the welfare of the country by making creations that enhance the patriotism of the public.

Q: Don't you like to try your hand at directing a movie?

A: I have acted, written scripts and produced films and even won awards for my work but it is my ultimate dream to direct a film and take on a challenging movie role.

I don't know whether I would be able to achieve this goal in one go because it is extremely difficult to balance both in one production. It is a hope I cherish for the future.

Q: Tell us about your latest project, Verona.

A: The story is based on Romeo and Juliet's legend. Love plays a pivotal role in the production. The lead actor is half Italian. We concluded shooting in Italy and will begin shooting in Sri Lanka.

Olivia’s timeless appeal

Olivia Newton-John's appeal seems to be timeless. With a career spanning more than four decades she is still a vibrant, creative individual that is adored by fans across the world.

The singer and actress, who starred in Grease alongside John Travolta, was honored, as one of Australia's National Living Treasures. She recently performed in Sri Lanka and was transported safely and comfortably in class in the timelessly appealing and passion ascribed Mercedes-Benz.

The automobile was invented in 1886 and is a star of its own for it Benz is the most valuable premium car brand in the world. It is the most valuable European brand.

A Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV, provided by authorized distributor BIMO, was used to bring the star from Bandaranaike International Airport to Colombo Hilton and take her back from the hotel to the airport.

While in Colombo, a new S-Class with design interior was used to take her to the auditorium and back. She was so delighted with her experience in the new S-Class, that she chose to travel to down South after her performances, in the same car.

She was thrilled with the handling and the performance of the S-Class along the Southern Expressway. ONJ performed in Colombo on April 4 and 5 and thrilled the audiences with her famous hits from 1970's, 80's to the latest.

Gearing up for a summer of blockbusters

The arrival of The Avengers on May 4 signals the beginning of the our summer at the movies. We can expect expensive blockbusters and big sequels, but Oscar-ready movies also pop up.

So which movies should you see this summer? Here’s your quick guide:

May 4

* The Avengers: Writer-director Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) brings Marvel’s Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and others together to kick off the season.

* The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) directs this ensemble piece about a group of British retirees traveling to India. Exquisite!

May 11

* Dark Shadows: A quirky and campy big-screen adaptation of the popular 1960s gothic soap opera. No one can do quirky and campy better than the acting-directing team of Johnny Depp and Tim Burton.

* The Dictator: All hail Sacha Baron Cohen as a dictator who is allergic to democracy. Larry Charles, who previously collaborated with Cohen in Borat and Bruno, directs this comedy co-starring Megan Fox, Ben Kingsley, Anna Faris and John C Reily.

May 18

* What to Expect When You’re Expecting: Based on the popular books by Heidi Murkoff, five interconnected couples and their experiences in having a baby are featured in this comedy starring Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz. Expect a lot of cute moments.

May 25

* Men in Black 3: Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return to their roles for a ‘threequel’ of the popular franchise. This one’s a time traveling adventure set in the 1960s. But the big question - what is Lady Gaga doing in the movie?

June 1

* Snow White and the Huntsman: The second of this year’s Snow White retellings is decidedly darker than the campy ‘Mirror Mirror.’ Kristen Stewart plays Snow White to Charlize Theron’s Queen Ravenna, while Chris Hemsworth stars as The Huntsman.

June 8

* Bel Ami: Not to be outdone by his Twilight co-star, Robert Pattinson headlines this erotic drama featuring Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas.

* Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, and Jada Pinkett Smith return for the third film of the beloved franchise. This time, they travel through Europe.

* Prometheus: An Alien prequel directed by Ridley Scott starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce and Patrick Wilson.

June 15

* Rock of Ages: Tom Cruise stars as an aging rocker in this big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical from ‘Hairspray’ director Adam Shankman.

* That’s My Boy: Adam Sandler, fresh from sweeping the Razzies, is back as a father who must learn to reconnect with his son, played by Andy Samberg.

June 22

* Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: The title pretty much reveals the plot of the film starring Benjamin Walker as the 16th president of the United States who moonlights as a vampire slayer.

* Seeking a Friend for the End of the World: Steve Carell and Keira Knightley star in this romantic drama about, you guessed it, the end of the world. This is the first directing gig of Lorene Scafaria, who wrote ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist’.

* To Rome with Love: Woody Allen leaves Paris for Italy in his latest comedy starring Jesse Eisenberg, Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin and Ellen Page.

June 29

* G.I. Joe: Retaliation: The addition of Bruce Willis something to watch out for.

* Magic Mike: Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey and Alex Pettyfer take it all off in this male stripper drama from Steven Soderbergh.

Mydesert.com

Big B, Abhishek to shoot for Sarkar 3

Here is a big news. The highly awaited Sarkar 3 will go on floors this October 2012 and Big B and Abhishek are retained as leads.

Abhishek will play the role of Big B’s grandson in the movie and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will also make an appearance in the film. Sarkar is not confirmed but the project is definitely on now.