Forty years ago, I had a dream. I was sitting the Senior School Certificate (SSC) examination from Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya. My dream was to excel in the examination and become a doctor. It was an impossible dream because I used to get dreadful marks for physics — and only barely managed to pass chemistry. So, I never became a doctor.
On Friday, though, I was awarded a different kind of doctorate, from the University of Visual and Performing Arts. It is an occasion that made me proud in a humble kind of way — but I must admit that there is still a sense of disappointment in me that I did not realise my dream.
I did, at some point pursue some academic interests: I followed a diploma in Mass Media and communications at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. A student agitation there meant that I did not complete that either!
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| Cold-shouldered at the recent IIFA show by the event organisers, Malani Fonseka added another feather in her cap when she received an honorary
doctorate on Friday from the University of Visual and Performing Arts. Pic by Romesh Madushanka |
It is not that I am complaining. I realise that I have been more fortunate than most. But the truth is that I never had any 'dream' of becoming an actress, leave alone making a mark in Sri Lankan cinema. It so happened that I became an actress, first through the stage play 'Noratha Ratha' and then in the movies, acting in 'Punchi Baba' and one film led to another, in quick succession.
In hindsight, I believe I was in the right place at the right time: a budding actress in the seventies, the halcyon days of the local film industry. Films were being produced at a prolific rate and the public was flocking to the theatres in their thousands. The industry was booming — the best time to launch a career.
I had made a conscious choice. I had decided to act in both the so-called 'art' and 'popular' films. I still believe in this: a 'good' actress ought to be able to perform in any role. To say that the so-called 'popular' films are not worthy of a 'good' actress is to insult those viewing those movies. Therefore, I believe that I am where I am today because of both those so-called 'art' films and 'popular' films and because of Lenin Moraes just as much as Lester James Peiris, and I say so after acting in a hundred and fifty films.
I was fortunate in more than just that. Despite movies being produced in abundant numbers, somehow the industry lacked the fast and furious pace that is evident now. That maybe a reflection of the times. Perhaps as a result of that, the movie industry was a haven for gentle men and women. For a newcomer taking the first tentative steps in the profession, that was a godsend — there was always someone you could go to for advice, and you could be certain that the advice was well-intentioned.
As those early years went by, the film offers kept coming in and I was busy acting to the best of my ability. Some films in which I acted, such as 'Nidhanaya', won accolades; others such as 'Thushara' won the applause at the box office.
As a result, I have never done a 'job'. Acting has been my profession throughout my life and I have been able to sustain myself and maintain a lifestyle that befits an actress through my earnings from the industry and I feel I did it in such a manner that I degraded neither myself nor my profession. Even today, I believe this is still possible: although the competition is greater, so are the opportunities that present themselves.
I have even ventured to the field of production and direction in 'Sasara Chethana', 'Ahinsa' and 'Sthree'. It was something that I enjoyed doing but the many constraints involved in these tasks have meant that I haven't been as productive as I would have wished to in this capacity.
The movie industry, however, has taken a nosedive. There are many reasons for this. The decline began in the eighties. That was a time when the country was being engulfed in terrorism. People feared to walk on the streets unless it was necessary, because they never knew when or where the next bomb explosion would be. In such an environment, getting them out to the movies was near impossible.
There was another reason why they need not have walked the streets in search of entertainment: television. For a nation gripped in a fear psychosis, television provided safer, cheaper and convenient amusement. The movie industry could ill afford to compete. For those who tried, there was another obstacle: the open economy meant that foreign films were flooding the market.
It has been downhill since then. Even today, the picture is not a pretty one. A well planned and executed movie will cost more than 30 million rupees. How could a producer recover an investment of that magnitude when our market doesn't stretch, for all practical purposes, beyond Anuradhapura?
The recently produced epic, 'Aba' cost more than twice that, I believe. And it is no secret that it did not fetch great profits, even if it managed to breakeven. What then is the incentive for a filmmaker to venture into a high-quality production? These are the questions we must seek answers to.
We do have great talent in our country. And the advances in technology are such that they have the world literally at their fingertips — at the click of a button. So, we need not despair but we also need to clarify our objectives.
In my opinion, Sri Lanka's movie industry faces two major stumbling blocks: it lacks large-scale investments and a wide international audience — it caters largely to a local market. Together, they form a perpetuating vicious cycle. Other major film centres, Hollywood and Bollywood, have gone through not dissimilar downward spirals but they have overcome that and are now flourishing. We can take heart from that.
Theatre owners have to play their role as well. They should not expect to exhibit movies in dated and decrepit cinemas in an age when patrons have digital movies and surround sound systems in their homes. To attract the moviegoer, cinemas need to be state of the art so as to provide an experience that is not available at home — and that requires more investment.
There are other unhealthy issues that affect the movie industry. The tele-serials termed 'mega' teledramas are a recent such phenomenon. It is not that I detest long-running serials. Some, such as 'The Bold and the Beautiful' and 'Dynasty' were popular in their own right but the key to their success was that the storyline and the quality of the drama were never compromised.
What I see happening locally is that both the storyline and quality of the drama are being tailored to meet the requirements of the sponsors. Episodes are 'photocopied' and artistes are hardly allowed any breathing space. Their acting suffers as a result and a sub-standard product is served for consumption. I know that these dramas are a source of livelihood for some artistes but nevertheless, they are also an insult to the intelligence of the viewer.
As someone who has benefitted immensely from the movie industry these are some matters on which I feel strongly about — and issues which I believe I could help redress, especially in my most recent role, that of a parliamentarian.
Many ask me why I took the plunge into politics when I have had more than my share of fame and fortune in the movies and had reached heights which I could never reach as an MP. I had nothing to gain and my reputation to lose, they said.
Indeed, for some time now I have had invitations from both major political parties but I have resisted all of them. However, I had this lingering notion that I could use whatever position I enjoy today for the greater good only if I had the power to do so. That is very difficult to muster as just another individual. As a parliamentarian, on the contrary, many closed doors open for you and more opportunities to be of service present themselves. That is one major factor that made me finally decide in favour of politics.
There are other reasons as well. In 2005, I was afflicted with a life-threatening illness. Looking back, I was devastated. But I was so deeply moved by the outpouring of support, love and affection of my fans that I became stronger and more determined than ever to overcome that challenge. My fans gave me the strength and courage. I faced that gauntlet with fortitude and succeeded.
It was overwhelming to realise that you are appreciated and cared for so much. But with this came the courage to face that illness — a courage which I now make it a point to pass on to others who are in a similar predicament.
The responses I received from those near and dear to me — as well as those who knew me only by name — convinced me that I should do more for all of them in return. And I was not sure I could do that as a mere citizen.
What clinched the issue was the end of the war, as we had known it for the past thirty years. I felt that it was a golden opportunity to rebuild not only the nation but also to help those less fortunate than me to realise their dreams and potential. When the invitation came from President Mahinda Rajapaksa, I knew that I would be failing in my duty towards the country if I said 'no'.
I must admit, I had my reservations too — politics has acquired such a notorious reputation. However, having been to Parliament for a few months now, I must say that my faith in this democratic institution has been restored, even if there have been instances in the past when its integrity has been questioned.
What then, of the future? Since becoming a parliamentarian I have also been nominated among the top 25 actors in Asia by the Cable News Network. That has made me proud because it means that a Sri Lankan has won the award.
I do have more plans in store and I plan to formally announce them in due course but they will be directed at lending a helping hand to both those within and outside the movie industry. When that becomes a reality, I would have repaid at least a part of the debt I owe to this country.
I know that I have achieved what I have, not only because of my efforts but also because of the upbringing I had: modest but understanding and kind parents who were gentle yet firm in handling a large family, my teachers at Gurukula Vidyalaya and the friends I made in those early days of my career who I refrain from mentioning here by name because I run the risk of omitting someone and offending them.
Over the years, I have transformed myself from the young village damsel in distress to more maternal roles — and I take pride in the fact that I have always tried to give of my best in every role I played. That maybe the secret of whatever success I have had.
I know that I have had a very fortunate life — a life that millions must be dreaming of and envying. But it has also been a life of hard work, commitment and discipline, not to mention a slice of good luck and more than a little help from my family and friends. And that is exactly why I now wish to give some of that back to anyone who wishes to forge ahead in the movie world by way of advice, assistance and whatever else I can provide.
As for the future there is one certainty, though. I maybe in Parliament and I may take on more and more responsibilities in pursuing my aim of helping those in need, professionally in the movie industry or otherwise. But I shall always act as long as I can because I am first and foremost an actress. The day I cease to act will be that day when I will be forgetting to breathe! |
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