Anjali’s winning streak - Aruna Gunaratne and Ruwini Jayawardana

She maybe just three films old but Anjali Patil is becoming a synonymous name among the Indian filmgoers as well as the Sri Lankan movie buffs. Starting her career in Prashant Nair's critically acclaimed Delhi in a Day, Anjali has not looked back.

A gold medalist from the National School of Drama, Delhi, she recently bagged the Best Actress Award for Prasanna Vitahnage's Indo-Sri Lankan co-production Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka (With You Without You) at the International Film Festival of India in Goa. Her latest flick Chakravyuh is receiving rave reviews from the critics. Anjali shares her experiences on the sets, her memories of shooting in Sri Lanka and her Mollywood debut with the Daily News. Excerpts:

Q: Was it your ambition to become an actress?

A: I never aspired to be a movie actress. I used to design sets for the stage. I have also taken up directing and have worked with Indian and international theatre personalities. Acting came to me by chance. I happen to be at an audition for an Indie film, when I was studying drama direction. However now these films have opened a new window in my life, I'd be foolish to shut it. I welcome the attention.

Q: Tell us about your background.

A: I am from Nasik. My father is a government officer and my mother is a housewife. My sister, Archana Shinde, is in Los Angeles and is a film director. I have a brother who is married.

My father always wanted me to become a doctor but that didn't happen. I realized that Biology wasn't my cup of tea. Therefore I took up an acting course at the Centre of Performing Arts, University of Pune.

My family is passionate about all things arty. We grew up listening to Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. However convincing my father about my decision to act was not easy. Winning our family's first gold medal helped to change his mind. He attended all my play performances and was elated to see me in the lead roles.

Q: What was it like acting in a foreign production like Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka?

A: Some of the best times in my career were in Sri Lanka. The people are so patient. One of my most memorable journeys is on the road to Bogawantalawa. It was a totally mind blowing experience.

I got the project through Tapas Nayak who is the sound designer of the movie. He recommended me to Prasanna Sir. The Sinhala acting style is different from the Indian style. Some say that Indian actors overact. Tamil cinema it is all about what the audience wants.

I dubbed for my character in the movie. This was the first time that I spoke Sinhala as well as Tamil. My mother tongue is Marathi. However Marathi and Sinhala are somewhat similar because they both derive from Sanskrit. That made things easy for me. However it was very demanding to learn these two languages. There's twice the responsibility on an actor when we do a film in a language we don't know. Prasanna Sir taught me how to pronounce the terms.

Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka is a milestone in my career. The story and character is Prasanna Sir's so the award is his as well. He was there every single moment during the shoot and changed so many things about me to mould me into the character. I am fortunate and honoured to get such accolades at such a young age.

Q: How do you see your character, Selvi, in Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka?

A: Selvi is a courageous woman. She had to change her outlook towards life and mannerism unexpectedly. Personally, if I was Selvi I might not act according to the way she does. However there is certain logic in the steps that she takes when you perceive things from her point of view.

Q: Tell us about your experience in acting in Chakravyuh.

A: I feel quite lucky to have gotten the opportunity to take part in the film. It was almost like a fairy tale. My character is called Juhi. It is based on Naxalism in India and the manner in which the government tackles it. I play a very strong-headed hardcore naxalite area commander.

With Shyam Fernando in Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka

With Abhay Deol in Chakravyuh

I sent my pictures to the casting agent and was call for auditions. Many known faces were present at the event but I was their final selection. I was nervous before the shoot but they calmed me once we started working. Prakash Jha gave me a rough sketch of the character but I was given the freedom to portray in according to my perception.

Q: Are you willing to take on masala commercial movie roles as well?

A: I do not have any issues taking on such projects as long as I have something substantial to do in the film. I am in talks for a few projects and hopefully I will have a few films in my kitty soon. I am open to all sorts of movies even if it requires me to look glamorous.

Q: Aren't you vying for star status?

A: I do not dream big. For me being a star depends on the work you do.

Q: What is next on your agenda?

A: I have a three-film-contract with Jha Sir. I am included in the cast of his next film, Satyagrah. It is a political thriller which stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Manoj Bajpai. The film is slated to release on Indian Independence day, August 15, 2013. I am gearing up for the release of my Malayalam-Telugu bilingual, Ente, which is based on human trafficking. It's a very intense film and is based on a real life incident.

I have a power-packed, emotional and intense role, which is quite different from the characters that I've played so far. I have an exciting role in Apna Desh where I will be sharing screen space with Girish Karnad and Ashutosh Rana.

I'm taking my time reading scripts looking for the right role. I do not want to get typecast. There is a danger in mainstream Hindi cinema of actors repeating themselves endlessly if they're liked in a role. If I don't like what I am offered, I don't mind waiting.

Gamini’s novelty in film making

Channa Bandara Wijekoon

There was an era in Sri Lanka when ‘cinema’ played a major role in the entertainment sphere. Especially in the decade of 1970, Sinhala cinema was the primary means of entertainment for the individuals and families.

Thus there emerged a breed of film makers who understood the likes and dislikes of the filmgoers well and catered to that need. In today’s context this exercise is called ‘marketing’ although the term marketing was seldom used at the time.

Gamini Hewavithrana was a young film director who treaded along the path created by film-makers in the caliber of Lenin Moraus and Niel Rupasinghe, Masthan. Films such as Hari Yanakota Ohoma Thamai, Raktha, Menik Maliga, Saranga and Doo Daruwo directed by Gamini were never forgotten by the fans of the time.

The talented filmmaker was felicitated recently at the National Film Corporation (NFC) auditorium amongst his colleagues, fans and scholars. The event was organized by the ‘SAME foundation’ headed by Kosala Pathirage.

Speaking at the occasion, the NFC Chairman Asoka Serasinghe said that Gamini could be considered as a ‘main stream’ filmmaker. He noted that the frames in Gamini’s films have novelty and a refreshing quality that is suited even for today. Serasinghe said he watched Saranga twice because of Douglus Ranasinghe’s performances in the film. Even Anoja Weerasinghe who only had to her credit the stage drama Elanda at the time came into limelight with her performances in Saranga.

Popular actor Douglus Ranasinghe said that many who came to the celluloid world with Hewavitharana’s help have forgotten him now. He recalled the good old days when he acted in Saranga.

Gamini’s entrance to cinema was no bed of roses. His very first cinematic experience was making of the short-film Ananthaya with duration of 15 minutes, teaming up with his close associates. He learned the finer-points in film direction by involving in this project. His first major film was Hari Yanakota Ohoma Thamai which was an instant hit. The film hit the circuits on 1977 March 25.

Hari Yanakota Ohoma Thamai brought the very best of Vijaya Kumrathunga, Anthony C Perera, Wimal Kumar de Costa and Alexander Fernando who were enjoying their hey days in the sphere. Fans thronged cinemas to watch the film not once, many times.

The song Pina Paadunu Daa sung by Dayaratne Ranathunga with Priya Sooryasena in the film was aired over SLBC very often in Diva Gee in the 70s and 80s decades. A youthful Alexander Fernando clad in a sarong performed for the song in the film with a sexy hip-totting dance and his mesmerizing smile. This was Priya Sooryasena’s debut film song.

Gamini’s next film Raktha (1981) was first a cartoon-story sketched by the veteran cartoon-strip artist cum story teller Daya Rajapakse.

The characters created by Daya in his cartoon story were magically given life by Gamini in the film. Rex Kodippili appeared a bald-headed man for the first time on screen in Raktha. Malani Fonseka gave life to the revolutionary role of Raktha. The character was a challenge for Malani as she had to specially groom herself to do the challenging stunts involved in it.

Gamini did Menik Maaliga in 1983. Teddy Vidyalankara’s daredevil stunts in the film took stunts in Sinhala cinema to a different dimension. Stunts like these were never before performed by any stuntman or action star in local films.

Speaking at the felicitation Gamini noted with an emotional tone that he felt like he was re-born in Sinhala cinema. His urge to make another film got a refreshing boost at the event.

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Anil Kapoor wants to have Sonam on his show 24?

Anil Kapoor is very excited about his upcoming reality show. The actor recently spoke about the show and about how he would like to have his daughter Sonam Kapoor be a part of it.

24, is the Indian adaptation of the award-winning American tv series 24, Anil said that he is sure that 24 will do well in the country and he is willing to cast his daughter, only if there’s a role suitable for her.

Anil said at the launch of 24: “If there is a character which suits Sonam or Sonam thinks will suit her, then why not? We will definitely pitch, these days we have to talk to Sonam’s managers.”

24 is an American television series that started in 2001 and ran till 2010, with a total of 192 episodes.

Anil Kapoor featured in the eighth season of the show as Omar Hassan, president of the fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan. When Anil was asked about his favorite television show, he said: “I liked ‘Buniyaad’, which was directed by Ramesh Sippy ji. I loved that.”

Meanwhile, Anil Kapoor is also gearing up for his forth coming suspense Race 2, which also stars Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone and Jacqueline Fernandez in the lead roles.

Bollywood Celebden

Amity Lite comes to Maharagama

NFC Chairman Asoka Serasinghe lights the oil lamp

Sunil Soma Pieirs and Senitha Jasenthuliyana

Liberty Lite’s newest offspring Amity Lite opened at the Shopping Complex, in the heart of Maharagama recently.

The state of the art cinema which functions under Movie Works (Pvt) Ltd comprises 220 fabric seats with arm rests and is equipped with a 35 mm cinematography projector, DTS (Multi channel audio technology) and Dolby SR sound system, which provides the ultimate viewing for movie buffs.

It is also fully air conditioned and Jab Tak Hai Jaan staring Shahruk Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma.