 Ruwini Jayawardana
For nearly 40 years, since stepping into the silver screen with
‘Moodu Puttu’ Ravindra Randeniya had been regarded as one of the
industry’s most powerful thespians. As an actor who had never failed to
deliver the goods, he is on par with legends like Gamini Fonseka, Malini
Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga and Sanath Gunatilleke for his incomparable
service to the country’s cinema scene.
“You shouldn’t wait for development. You have to make it happen. I
believe we need to have a very coordinated program where we should aim
at improving the conditions of the theatres so that the public will have
a certain motive to step into a theatre away from the television. We are
working on a plan to offer incentives for the theatres to invest in such
projects.
There is a scheme to rehabilitate most of the theatres in the North
and East and import Tamil films to cater to the public. It will provide
a good income for the National Film Corporation to develop the local
film industry. We never imagined that we would defeat terrorism
completely and so soon. I salute all those who made it possible,”
Randeniya shed hope towards the future of local cinema.
Speaking on The Film Team (private) Limited, which he heads,
Randeniya stated that the group visited India recently to discuss on
Mani Ratnam’s new movie ‘Ravana’.
He said: “Unfortunately though around 40 per cent of the movie was
scheduled to be shot in Sri Lanka, the team was forced to change their
mind on Sri Lanka as a location because the Indian film industry began
protesting against the Government regarding the Northern issue.
 ‘Ravana’ is suppose to be one of the biggest movies to be made in
India as it not only stars actors like Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya
Rai but it is also going to be translated into Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
The director was pressurized not to shoot it in Sri Lanka so the idea
was abandoned and shooting commenced in India.
However, they seek our aid for one particular scene where we have to
construct a bridge. The project met with various obstacles but we are
hopeful that everything get back in track.”
Queried on why a felicitation program on for him had not yet taken
from the award-winning actor said that many had questioned him about the
fact.
He noted: “I was the key figure involved in organizing felicitating
ceremonies for the veterans in the industry. There had been many
proposals to put together an event for me. Last year a group of eminent
people in the reel scene got together and formed a committee. They
wished to hold such an event but I discouraged this idea.”
However, he is eager to help out the future generation of actors as
he has experience working with four generations.
“There maybe a thing or two which I can share with them, especially
on my vision of the industry as a whole. Even those who have worked with
me have referred to the fact that I possess a storehouse of knowledge
about the field. I help them and try to inculcate in them that being an
artist is not merely gesturing before a camera. It is a total
involvement. It is not merely limited to what you see on the screen but
also depends on how you interact with the medium. You need to be
committed to the task to be a complete artist. I would like to exchange
ideas with them on this point of view, maybe through a book or a
discussion,” he mused.
“Acting involves how aware you are of the incidents taking place in
your backdrop, in the past, present and future. Understanding human
nature derives from all these aspects. Correct interpretation comes
through the experience you gather. The best example is Joe Abeywickrama
who embodies the essence of our rural life. He could bring that to the
screen as he possessed that awareness. It is much more than playing a
role in a movie, giving an interview and getting your photo published in
a cover of a magazine.”
Referring to Ashoka Handagama’s ‘Aksharaya’ (Letter of Fire) which
was banned from being screened and on which he portrayed a significant
role, the veteran actor stated that though he has no right to question
the merits or demerits of the decision taken by the Supreme Court, he
personally feels that there is nothing wrong with the film for it to be
totally banned.
“Some of the allegations brought against the film was manipulated
into making them national issues. Once the film is exposed in that
light, the film itself being somewhat controversial, cannot survive. It
is a great tragedy as it is a very well made film and personally,I feel
sorry for myself because I put my heart and soul. It was the kind of
role that one rarely gets to portray in a lifetime,”he lamented.
Focusing on his upcoming projects, Randeniya revealed that he had
decided not to work in any teledramas. He hopes to take a break as work
on ‘Veediya Bandara’ had been postponed. He is also involved in another
project, a film, which will be announced soon. Apart from these films,
like ‘Nimnayaka Hudakalawa’ and ‘Julia’ are also queuing to be released.
Asked whether he would ever turn film director he said, “I have been
involved in many aspects of the industry, especially its development.
I played a significant role in all the campaigns we held to protect
the industry and as a representative of the cinema scene.
However, I have been totally consumed by acting. My acting did not
involve simply facing the camera and reciting the lines with the
actions. It is a psychologically and physically engaging task. Now that
there is a pause, maybe I would contemplate the matter,” he added with a
smile.
Pictures by Saman Sri Wedage
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