The twinkling star in 'Water'

Sarala Kariyawasam, who hails from Galle, was the centre of attraction at the premiere of the award-winning film-maker Deepa Mehta's latest movie 'Water' at the Majestic Cinema recently.

A student of Sangamitta Balika Vidyalaya, Galle, Sarala is the first Sri Lankan child artiste to make an international debut.

She answered the questions put to her by the writer in the most natural way, with her typical mischievous smile and without the slightest hint of shyness, and said that acting with veteran actors and actresses like Iranganie Serasinghe and Buddhi Wickrama was enjoyable and quite easy, as they were like friends to her.

Deepa Mehta described Sarala as one of the most natural actresses that she has ever come across during her film-making career. She said: "I was impressed with the talent available in Sri Lanka, especially with the talent of the little girl Sarala, who played the most important role in the movie, the role of Chuiya. Sarala is a natural actress and was wonderful. She had a "star" quality in her. She was one of the most brilliant actresses that I have come across during my career."

"I was also impressed with the talents of Sri Lankan artistes like Iranganie Serasinghe and Buddhi Wickrama, with whom I worked in this film," Mehta said.

The film 'Water' has been acclaimed as a regional victory and was shot entirely in Sri Lanka, in partnership with Chandran Rutnam's Film Location Services Lanka Limited and the National Film Corporation.

Sarala said that she hopes to become a doctor one day. Her favourite subjects are English, Mathematics and Science.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Were you unhappy when you were asked to shave your head for the role of Chuiya in 'Water'?

Answer: I had to shave my head, but I did not feel so bad about it because I knew that my hair would grow back. I really loved to act.

Q: Did the other actors help you?

Answer: Yes, in many ways. Deepa aunty and the actors were like friends to me, so acting with them was not difficult at all. I am really surprised that I could do the role so well.

I was a little excited when I had to do the scene where I was massaging the matriarch of the house, Sadananda (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) as she was old and fat. I was afraid that she could be hurt and would get angry about it.

Q: After the premiere of 'Water' in Canada, you must have got many offers to act, both in local and international films. Will you accept such offers?

Answer: I did not accept offers for foreign films because it would badly affect my school work. I won't hesitate to accept any offers as long as I can balance both acting and studying (she said with an angelic smile).

Sarala thanked her parents, former school principal, present principal, members of her school staff and her aunt in Kandy, for the support they had extended to her.

Ranga Chandrarathne