No cliches for Kalang

Channa Bandara Wijekoon

He is an icon in Sinhala Cinema and television. The individuality he had projected on the screen is truly unique so much so that no other actor could ever imitate or adopt his techniques. This had earned him the reputation of being called an extraordinary artiste.

After making his debut on the wide screen with 'Hanthana Kathawa' he bagged the award for Best Actor in 1974 with 'Ahas Gauwa.' He also played the leading role in D B Nihalsinghe's 'Dimuthu Muthu', Sri Lanka's first television serial. Though he has an on and off relationship with the screen many remember him for his award winning performances.

After around four decades in showbiz a lean, sturdy and robust Amarasiri Kalansuriya or 'Kalang' as he is popularly known among his associates, still manages the boyish smile which he radiated on screen.

Q: You have introduced a unique acting style to Sinhala cinema. Was it an acquired talent or an inborn one?

A: There were four children in our family. From my childhood I have always told myself that there is only one Amarasiri Kalansuriya in this world. I wanted to bring the same philosophy onto the screen.

Many experiences in my life helped me sharpen my acting skills. My mother passed away when I was 10. My father who was an entrepreneur expired when I was 15. I had to learn to look after myself and my siblings from a very young age.

I did not rely on make up and confining to a rigid way of acting to give diversity to my roles. My happy-go-lucky acting style and dress-sense were exactly what movie buffs yearned to see on screen during that decade. Therefore the change I brought onto the screen was refreshing and helped me carve my own niche in the industry.

Q: Were you keen on acting from schooldays onwards?

A: I went to Dharmaraja College, Kandy. My passion lay in sports. I did athletics and boxing. I was an exceptionally good cadet. My commanding style as a cadet officer was different because I added a rhythm to my platoon by giving commands in a melodious tone.

Once we were taken to Diyatalawa. The officers there asked me what made me adapt such a technique. I told them that my favourite subject is literature and my favourite actor is Charles Bronson who played the role of a war-hardened soldier on screen. Therefore I wanted to follow this lead and insert a bit of both into my commanding techniques. I wanted to join the army one day.

Q: How did the experience of joining the army help you in acting?

A: Before joining the army I worked at Leon Café, Kandy. A part of my duty was to count eggs at the café. I used to consume five eggs each day while counting. A co-worker who had noticed this approached me. We got into a fight and I fled the scene while he lay wounded. Then I joined Mallika Studio. During that time I did the short film 'Rayath Dawaalath' with Ranjit Perera. Later I tried my luck in the garment trade. I made some money from that business. I applied for the army during this period. I failed the interview because I did not possess the required height.

I left the Raja Weediya camp in a depressed state. Coincidentally I met one of my former senior cadetting officers there. After hearing my tale he recommended me to his seniors. I was then recruited as a soldier and sent to Diyatalawa for training. I became the best recruit in the battalion which comprised 400 soldiers. I also became their best marksman. This was because I was playing Charles Bronson in real life!

Q: How did you enter films?

A: Back in Kandy I met Pathi (Dharmasena Pathiraja) who was my senior college mate. He, Berty Gunesekera and I used to see Roman Polanski's films which were screened at Peradeniya University. Pathi informed me that Sugathapala Senerath Yapa is planning to make a movie and encouraged me to take up a role in the project.

Sugath took me in for a screen test. He told me to portray the role of a man who had murdered his wife due to an illicit love affair. I had to confess about the incident in court.

I did it in an amusing manner. That worked for me and I was on board the project, 'Hanthana Kathawa.' Vijaya Kumarathunga and I became close friends after working together in the film.

Q: 'Bambaru Awith', 'Apeksha' and 'Pooja' are milestones in your acting career.

A: 'Bambaru Awith' was a rare experience. Vijaya's performance in the film was superb. 'Apeksha' was a commercial film which became a box office hit.

Joe Abeywickrama played the role of my father in 'Pooja.' The cast included Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumarathunga, Ravindra Randeniya, Malani Fonseka and Joe. I had to prove my mettle among this star cast. I took the challenge and did justice to the character.

However if I am given the opportunity to do the role again, one thing I would change about my performance would be to use less dialogues. I would add more facial expressions to my act. (Changing to several facial expressions within seconds) I used this technique in 'Podi Wije.'

Q: You have always maintained a good physique. How is this important for an actor?

A: Health is better than wealth. Maintaining a good physique is of utmost importance for an actor. I have even performed bare bodied in films like 'Bambaru Awith' in the 1970s and even recently in a film. A well toned body is a bonus point for an actor. I exercise daily. It is part of my lifestyle.

Q: What are your upcoming films?

A: There are two new films by K Wijeratne and Parakrama Silva that will be released in the coming months.

Q: You have contributed immensely to Sinhala cinema. What have you got in return?

A: Sinhala cinema had made me a 'brand'. I am grateful for that. That is why I am against any sort of injustice taking place against our cinema industry. We must respect the industry and work towards its development.

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Rutnam to make murder themed movie next

Ruwini Jayawardana

Reputed director Chandran Rutnam has plans to make a film based on a real-life incident that took place in Colombo in 1980. Sri Lankan born Bollywood actress and former Miss Sri Lanka and celebrated singer-telly actor from the South country Alston Koch will be starring in the film which deals with the story of Father Matthew Pieris, a priest who planned the chilling murders of his wife and the husband of his mistress. The incident is also famously known as the Vicarage Murders.

Speaking to the Daily News Rutnam revealed that both Jackie and Alston have confirmed that thay are on board the project.

Rutnam’s latest movie ‘A Common Man’ won a bronze medal at the New York Festivals’ International Television and Film Awards recently. The awards show celebrated the world’s best TV programs and films at NAB in Las Vegas. The Grand Jury awarded 119 Gold World Medals, 145 Silver, 104 Bronze, and 327 Finalist Certificates from entries submitted from 50 countries.

The movie won in the Feature Films category. Sir Ben Kingsley and Ben Cross star in A Common Man. The movie is Produced by Manohan Nanayakkara, Chandran Rutnam and B.S. Radhakrishnan. Paul Mason and Jon Sheinberg are the Executive Producers.

The film is due to begin screening in Sri Lanka soon.

Anoma’s book reborn in English

Talented actress Anoma Janadari published her story - Punarukthi (Rebirth) - in Sinhala in 2011. She marched forward, undaunted, in her crusade against the harassment of women by males in the book. Her work sparked discussion on this issue.

The launch of the English translation of this book, done by Krishan Jayaratnam coincides with Anoma's birthday and brings together several women's organizations which have come forward to support the event. The launch will take place under the patronage of Sri Lanka's celebrated film-maker Sumitra Peries at the Lakshman Kadiragamar Institute for International Relation and Strategic Studies, 24 Horton Place Colombo 7 on May 3 from 4 pm to 7 pm. Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne, Kanzul Sirdous and Manohan Nanayakkara will also speak at the event.

Rukmani Devi was the first actress in Sinhala cinema. She sacrificed her life for the welfare and the benefit of the local cinema industry during a very dull period when males played female roles on screen. The face of Sinhala cinema changed course and a new journey began with Punya Heendeniya, Anula Karunathilleke, and Malani Fonseka.

Numerous changes took over Sri Lankan society during the past decades. The harassment of women by men is visible today. Women too have stood up against this kind of harassment, sexual and otherwise, to face society with determination. They have been motivated to fight for the rights of women.

Such an example is projected in Vasantha Obeysekera's 'Dadayama' which brought the issue of victimization of women to light. Award winning actress Swarna Mallawarachchchi delivered a stellar performance in the movie.

In the backdrop of this changing social and political scenario came Ashoka Handagama's 'Thani Thatuwen Piyabanna' which threw a different light on the rights of the Sri Lankan woman. Today 'Thani Thatuwen Piyabanna' occupies a significant place in Sinhala cinema as a film which boldly explored hitherto taboo subjects. Playing the lead role in this movie actress Anoma Janadari successfully broke down all superstitious ideas. She encouraged social and political change with her performance.

"Girls and women face many forms of harassment at the hands of men. This situation is on the rise today. I decided to bring this social issue to the fore. People reacted to the topic and talked about it. My next step is to take this issue to the international community though the book's English translation," Anoma said.

She invites all those who are interested in the topic to take part in the event.

‘Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka’ Italian Premiere

‘Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka’ which won the Cyclo D’Or at the 19th edition of the International Film Festival of Asian Cinema (FICA) last month in Vesoul, France, will have its Italian premiere at the 23rd African, Asian and Latin American International Film Festival of Milano from May 4 to 10.

Director Prasanna Vithanage’s latest and seventh feature film ‘Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka’ is a bilingual film. Daminda D Madawala is the assistant director and Ebert Wijesinghe handled the make-up. Kalpana Ariyawansa and Vindana Ariyawansa contributed as Line Producers. Rahul Roy, Iranthi Abeysinghe, Sunil Fonseka and Nadira Adamaly joined as the executive producers.

Cinema hall named after Malani

A cinema hall named ‘Rajina Malani’ will be built at Thambuththegama, Anuraadhapura, to felicitate senior actress Malani Fonseka. The laying of the foundation stone will be done on April 30 at 10.34 am.

The event also coincides with her career spanning 50 years in the industry. Culture and Arts Minister T Bekanayake, Education Services Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Mahaweli Deputy Minister W P Ekanayake, Wildlife Deputy Minister S M Chandrasena, North central Province Chief Minister S M Ranjith and North Central Province governor Karunaratne Divulgane will grace the event.




 

Siri Parakum coming soon

Somaratne Dissanayake’s latest movie ‘Siri Parakum’ will begin screening in EAP circuit cinemas island wide next month.

The movie which was shot in areas like Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Matale, Dambadeniya and many other scenic locations introduces many new faces to cinema. Among them are Akhila Dhanuddhara and Senali Fonseka. Chandani Senaviratne, Giriraj Kaushalya, Palita Silva, Pramuditha Udaya Kumara, Bimal Jayakody, Janani Senanayake and Sachini Ayendra make up the rest of the cast.

“We will be releasing 50 copies of the movie to theaters. That had been decided before the law of limiting a film to 35 copies was imposed,” Dissanayake said.

Speaking at a press conference held to unveil details about the film Production Manager Renuka Balasooriya said that they have used graphics for the project. Shooting was done in 73 days.

“I usually book a date for release by discussing with cinemas when we decide to embark on a project. ‘Siri Parakum’ muhurath was held in May 2012 and we received a release date in January 2013. However since some of the other films in the circuit ran well the screening date was delayed,” Balasooriya explained adding that a marketing strategy is always needed in making movies. She also said that they do not bank on outside influence to get a early release date at cinemas.