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| Sunday, 15 May 2005 |
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Going to Extremes Revolutionary film director Jayantha Chandrasiri latest visionary creation, Geurilla Marketing is a narrative of two intertwining tales, one of love, the other of political greed. We spoke to Kamal Addaraarachchi who plays the role of Thisara, a mentally ill creative genius, about the film, but we couldn't resist asking him a few personal questions as well. (The film was released May 13) by Rikaza Hassan The movie: The story is a blend of love and politics. It will probably cause a bit of a controversy since it is not like other films that get produced. I play the role of Thisara Dissanayake who is a schizophrenic and works as a creative director for an advertising agency. He used to have a girl friend but then married another girl for her money and status but the former girlfriend is still in the picture.
Schizophrenia is a disease where the person imagines a lot of things like having people come out of walls and talk to you. During the campaign he gets worse and is admitted to a mental hospital and in the meanwhile the candidate whom he was working for wins the election. The new president visits my character in hospital and he chases him away and also his horrific imaginations. And then he goes back to his old life with his wife. So the film sort of ends with a neutral position like the way it started. The reason he accepted his role:
Working with Jackson:
Working with Sangeetha and Yashoda: They're both well known actresses and very professional. Like I said, we would sit and discuss the forthcoming scenes and decide on the dominant and submissive roles. We got along just fine. Thoughts on Sri Lankan cinema: I think the local film industry is stagnant. There are so many good artistes but they don't have the opportunity. But considering all that we are lacking and comparing it to other countries. I think that we make very good films. Better then a lot of other fare. The local audience: The question you have to ask yourself is would you go sit in a dirty, smelly place that is hot, to watch a film. We have only a few good cinemas. So how can you expect people to put up with all those discomforts to simply come and watch a movie. Being an actor: I didn't always think I would be an actor. I acted in school dramas and I thought that may be I'd be in a band. But then acting gave me the chance to include music as well as actual acting. My father did not want me to be an actor. He wanted me to follow in his business, he was a gem merchant. But then his business was not doing well and I decided that I could earn some money as well, so I decided to act. Of course it is very hard to be a professional actor here. You'd have to work continuously and it isn't nice for an actor to appear in several films all at the same time. To be an actor you have to have an adequate income to keep yourself and be able to chose the roles that you want to play. I think there are so many youngsters with lots of potential and they should be given a chance. I am hoping to do something for them myself. His wife: My wife's name is Anurani and she's a very lovable and friendly person. Basically she's a housewife. I had known her at least ten years back and we used to write to each other and talk to each other on the phone. I felt that she also liked me but I already had another girlfriend then. I had a lot of girl friends and when I thought that I had found the right person I always lost them. Anyways I thought that I had to settle down and I also liked her a lot. She had always been there for me, whenever I had a problem or anything she would write to me or call me and tell me how I could get over it. And so I proposed to her and she agreed. Marriage: I think being an actor I can't always be the normal husband. I may not be able to spend much time with my wife, I may come home very late and so on. But she has always been understanding and patient. And being in my business, people will always say things, there are things that you have to do, listen to, or say that an average person may not understand. And she has always provided me with the moral support that I needed. I think that is the most important thing, moral support. Kids: Well we're expecting a child very soon. We had an unfortunate incident when we lost our babies after just five months of pregnancy; twins. Anyways now the doctor has taken very good care of her and addressed any problems she'd had. He's a very efficient person. So she's very excited about it and I'm also very happy and we're waiting till our child is born and we become parents. Family: My father passed away and I have only my mother. She's very excited about having a grandchild. She's also happy that I'm finally settled down. My in-laws are also very nice people and I think that I am very lucky to have them for in-laws. Of course my wife had to put the news of my proposal a bit tactfully, she told her mother first and they sorted things out. But as I said, they are very good and I think that they love me very much. And they too are very excited about the baby. Religion: I am a Buddhist and I believe in Lord Buddha. But I don't go to temples and keep flowers or anything like that. That is not what religion means to me. I think that whomever you believe in, if you are a good person and do what is right then that makes you a good person. Inspiration: I didn't look up to anyone and think that I want to be like them. I think that the most important person is myself and that I have to look after my self and come up. Because if I don't prosper then I can't help others prosper as well. You should always put yourself first and develop yourself because only then can you help the others. Fame: Well it's the price you have to pay for being an actor. When you're a popular actor and have done some good roles in some films then obviously people will look at you more closely. They will look at everything you do any say and the negative side tends to get highlighted rather than the good things you do. That's just the way things are. Fans: You get all sorts of fans. Some fans are extremely happy at seeing you, others don't talk much, and others will laugh or cry with you. And some are crazy. Sometimes you just have to roll with your fans. *** Profile Name: Addara Arachchige Gunendra Kamal Date of birth: 05 February 1962 Star Sign: Libra Height: 5 feet 10 inches Likes to hang out at : the beach Likes to listen to: rock, reggae, blues, pop Likes to spend his time: hanging out with pals, travelling or watching movies Likes to eat: rice and curry |
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
So there is a sort of a love triangle there as well. Anyways, my
character is hired to run the election campaign of a presidential
candidate and he uses a new way of spreading rumours to increase this
guy's popularity. 
I have known Jayantha for the past 22 years or so. We grew on stage
together. He's a very creative guy and comes up with new ideas. I have
always made it a point to take part if he offers me a role, even if I
don't necessarily like the role I take it up. I think that only once did I
turn down a role because I had a problem with the producer and he
understood and also felt that it would not work out. Other than that I
have accepted every role that he has offered me including this one. So
when he asked me to take the role, I did. Not that I didn't read the
script or anything but basically it was because Jayantha was doing the
film. 
Jacka and I have known each other for a long time and we would discuss
the scenes that we played and decide who would be taking the lead. Because
you cannot have all the characters dominating in a single scene or the
audience will get confused. So we always discussed before hand, who would
be dominating and who would be submissive. 
