[For any actor, acting in films is their ultimate target, so I can't be different. Television was not yet
introduced at that time, so radio actors like me were waiting in the wing for Cinema chances.]
1. Kaliyuga Kalam - Director ARJUNA from Sri Lanka, who has done a film in South India
also, thought of dubbing his maiden SINHALA film,KALIYUGA KALAYA into Tamil and the
package came to Mr.K.M.Vasagar, so eventually we some of the Radio actors of that era
got the first taste of Cinema. For the original cast like Tony Ranasinghe, Neeta Fernando,
Vijay Corea - We - Joahim Fernando, Vijayal Peter, S.Ramdas, T.Rajagopal,
S.Selvasegaran, myself, Subbuluxmi Kasinathan lent our voices.
KALIYUGA KALAM was released before its Sinhala version, at Savoy Theatre,Wellawatte,
but both versions flopped.
Atleast we had the satisfaction of listening to our voices from an English Theatre screen!
Amuthan Annamalai sang a nice song under the baton of Music Director "Shan"
(Presently in Denmark)
2. Vaadai Katru - When I first read "Vaadai Katru" as a novel,"Viruththasalam" is the
character, which impressed me the most. "KamalalayamMovies" selected this novel to
make into a film on the advice of famous Film Director Balu Mahendra.
After considering actors like Gamini Fonseka for this character, they finally selected me.
It was a plesant surprise for me ! Originally there were 3 Asst.Directors -- A.Ragunathan,
Sillaiyoor Selvarajan and K.M.Vasagar--supposed to assist Director Premnath Moraes,
but due to some misunderstanding Ragunathan and Sillaiyoor left the unit and as
Vasagar also didn't want to continue, I was elevated as the Asst.Director overnight.
Learned a lot on Movie making from Mr.Moraes, Mr.A.V.M.Vasagam (Cameramen)
& Late Mr.Ramanathan(Editor- Director of "Komaligal" "Emaligal"].
This film was shot at Pesalai, Kallundai Cemetery and Vaddukoddai.
Cast: A.E.Manoharan,K.S.Balachandran,Dr.K.Indrakumar,Ananatharani,Chandrakala,
Francis Jenam, Sivabalan, Vasantha Appadurai, Dingiri Kanakaratnam, Sivaguru,
Pararajasingam, Nehru, Rajan.
Released in 1978, got the President's award as the best Tamil film of the year and
S.Jesuratnam got best supporting actor award. Ran for 45 days In Jaffna at Rani Theatre.
3. Naadu Potra Valga - V.P.Ganeshan, a Trade unionist - actor - producer has produced
two films, "Puthya Katru" , "Naan Ungal Thozhan", and when he approched me to do an
parellel character with him in his new film "Naadu Potra Valga" to be directed by a
popular Sinhala Director, Yasapalitha Nanayakkara, I agreed happily.
This film was made simultaneously in Sinhala and Tamil. Vijaya Kumaratunga and
Robin Fernando acting in Sinhala version and in Tamil, V.P.Ganeshan and myself did the
main roles. Geetha Kumarasinhe and Swarna Mallavaratchi are the leading ladies in
both versions. My heroine was Swarna, who was very popular with art film lovers.
Shot on locations at Diyatalawa, Haputale and Bandarawela. Vijay, V.P, Robin, Myself,
Geetha,Swarna, Freddie, Ramdas- all stayed together. I enjoyed every moment during
this production and returned 20 lbs fatter, stuffing myself with plenty of chocolates and
cheese on the producer's account, of course !
I observed some nice things about Vijay during our stay together.
In the Sinhala version "Anjana", I did a manager character with him, but when I saw the
Sinhala film at Regal theatre, Asst.Director Suni Soma Peris was speaking for me in Sinhala!
"Naadu Potra valga" was released in Shanthi Theatre(Jaffna) and other centres in Colombo,
Batticaloa etc. Commercially it didn't click. After many years, it was shown again in
Colombo, but the copy was so bad, lots of Intervals were given that day.
Serialised in Television also.
4. Aval Oru Jeevanathi - It is rare for a Sri Lankan Tamil actor, to act in two films
together. But I was there shuttling between Bandarawela and Colombo to act in Naadu Potra
Valka and Aval Oru Jeeva Nathi.
Mathale Karthigesu is the script writer, producer of A.O.J and he acted also in this film.
Because of our friendship, he wanted me to act in his film. I did a sort of Villain character-
but newspapers gave me a new title - "Kavatchi Villain". I enjoyed doing a character on
my own imagination, not even the director interferred. !
There were some nice songs of Muththalagu and Kalavathi.
Cast: Deenkumar. Myself, Fareena Lye, Karthigesu
It was released in Windsor(Jaffna) and theatres in other cities. But Nathi (River) didn't run
as expected. Producer incurred a big loss. [PHOTOS]
5. Sharmilavin Ithaya Ragam -Peredeniya Junaideen is a person involved in the
Sri Lanka film industry from the early days, from the days of Oscar winning English film
His wife wrote a novel in "Thinapathi" and it was very popular and Junaideen thought
of producing a film based on this story. He mortgaged his house and started production
and half way some one has advised him to produce in Sinhala as well, so that finacial
return is assured. Sasi Wijendra and Veena Jayakody, both acceptable to Tamil and
Sinhala audiences were contracted to play the lead roles.
(Good soul) Junaideen wanted to accomodate every actor known to him.
So script were re-written again and again and as a result the production got dragged
for more than 2 years. He had enough problems during this time and when the film was
released, the story was outdated and failed miserably in the box office.
I still wonder how I managed to do some stunt and fight sequences in this film,
with motorbike chase in Kandy city roads. Similarly I did a motor bike chase scene in
"Naadu Potra Valka " riding a brand new Kawasaki being chased by Ganeshan in a Honda ,
shot at Haputale Hill roads. ( I a novice managed to ride without any accidents but
after the shooting, a stunt assistant riding that Kawasaki fell down from the hills with
serious injuries) Coming back to "Ithaya Ragam " Junaideen got somebody else to dubb
for me, which was a terrible mistake, because as a radio actor, my voice is well known
and the viewers didn't approve another voice on me.
Cast: Sashi Vijendra, Veena Jeyakody, S. Ramdas, myself, Visvanatharajah, K.A.Jawahar
& lot of others.
6. .Blendings - My friend and a famous editor in Sinhala film world, ELMO HALLIDAY introduced Mr. MOHAMED NIYAZ in 1994 and he in return offered me a chance to work in an English film, a co-production. I had to work as the Asst.Director, should write Tamil portion of the script and also had to do a character role. I agreed. Shooting was around Kandy and it's suburbs. After working in Tamil films, to work in a different setup with more professional approch towards film making, it was something refreshing. Even my makeup and my character were very much different. I did my best.
While the dubbing was on, I got my visa to Canada, yet I managed to complete my work. But when it was released at Majestic Theatre, I was here in Canada. I love to see this film.
Cast: John, Sabitha Perera, Roger Seneviratne, Cyril Wickramage, K.S.Balachandran,
S.Ramdas, Karthigesu, S.Suresh Rajah, Mohan Kumar, Kandiah, Maheswari, Manimehalai,
Mallika Keerthi, Senthooran
Director: Mohamed Niyaz Asst.Director: K.S.Balachandran
7. Anjana- while shooting "Naadu Potra Valka" - same story was produced in Sinhala too under the title "Anjana" with Vijay Kumarathungedoing the main role. When somebody was needed to do an office manager role with Vijay, I was asked to do that charcter, a small role. I agreed. Later days commericial film director Sunil Soma Peris dubbed for me in Sinhala.
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