|
‘I
don’t create for urban youth, but it’s all about them’
- Senesh
By Dilshy Banu
A young director depicts the voice
of young love through his maiden film ‘Aadaraniya Wassanaya’
or ‘Love in Autumn’. Senesh Dissanaike Bandara, a well-know
small screen director, presenter opens his heart to the TV Times
about venturing into cinema and his first film.
Q
: - Your first film , “Aadaraneeya Wassaneya” was released
recently. Were you aiming at the film with popular appeal?
A :- When you make a film, you have to think about the
audience, as the popularity of the film depends on them. It’s
quite ridiculous to divide films popular or unpopular category.
Q
:- Is there a message you wish to give through this film ?
A :- I don’t make films to give any kind of message
to the audience. I did this film to express something that I had
in my mind.
Q
:- Most of your teledramas and even your films are based on novels.
Will you be creating original stories as well ?
A :- Yes, my film is based on a novel by Upul Shantha Sannasgale.
I read that novel ten years ago. I don’t know whether I would
again do my film or teledrama based on novel.
Q
:- In this film ‘Aadaraneeya Wassanaya’ , you have brought
a lot of young actors and singers from the small screen and they
perform along -side the recognized screen stars. How did this work
out?
A :- Viewers expect something new. When I plan to make
a film I question myself as to how could give a new angle, which
no one has accomplished yet. There I felt, that even though Sri-Lanka
has 57 year old history in cinema, it is a rare opportunity to experience
a romantic film. So I thought, I have to a space, where I could
pick up the theme of romance and make a film on youth and romance.
If we discuss on youth, we really have to include the faces of youth.
That’s what I have done in my film.
Q
:- There is criticism about your teledramas that they are focusing
on Western style of behaviour, which depicts the young generation
in high Society. What’s your comment on this?
A :- Well (taking a deep breath) I was brought up in the
city and most of my experience represents the young people in the
city. When I create something, I should feel that I am honest with
my work, by doing something which I know and which I am used to
experience. It may be the reason why I handle issues on urban youth.
But it doesn’t mean, that I am creating teledramas for them.
It’s not for them , but about them.
Q
:- You did magazine programmes , such as “Yathra” ,
“9.05” , “ Visi Ekveni Peya”. What are your
goals in these programmes?
A :- Regarding the magazine programmes , I am quite proud
to say that I am the first one to start such programmes on TV in
Sri-Lanka. Before that people preferred the radio for entertainment
. At this point, I took the opportunity to create magazine programmes,
in order to turn the audience to TV. And almost all my magazine
programmes became very popular. At present, such programmes have
increased on TV. I am very happy about it.
Q
:- The theme on “ Youth” is the centre of all your creations.
Are you focusing to empower youth through your works?
A :- Youth is quite a critical word. Youth, in developing
countries, like Sri-Lanka, are categorized as ‘amateurs’,
regardless of their high- potentials. And they’re divided
into different socio-ethnic, racial, religious categories by the
rulers. Whenever, I get a chance to involve in working with any
medium , I always do something for youth, because I believe they’re
highly capable of achieving great heights, but they’re not
given an opportunity to shine.
Q:
- Apart from being a filmmaker, you have also engaged in lecturing
in many institutions. How do you try to deal with directing and
lecturing ?
A :- Well….( thinks deeply) It’s not a matter
of managing time, but it’s a matter of managing myself. I’ll
be acting as lecturer when I am lecturing and I’ll be a film
maker , when I am making films.
Q
:- This is your first venture into cinema. Are you going to concentrate
on the big screen now ?
A :- Coming to the cinema was a dream I had since my school
days. When I was schooling, not like to-day, film was considered
a precious medium of art. When I got the chance to join this medium,
television, which I was involved in for many years, became a more
respectable medium for myself. |
