He tops the list of great actors Sri Lanka has ever produced. His performances on silver screen have kept the audiences spellbound. Then after briefly disappearing from the reel, he is back, adding depth to modern day productions like Tikiri Suwanda and Selvam.
Milestone performances
* Saradama
* Gehenu Geta
* Ranmuthu Duwa
* Getawarayo
* Chandiya
* Sarawita
* Allapu Gedara
* Seegiri Kashyapa
* Punchi Baba
* Dahasak Situwili
* Para Walalu
* Tun Man Handiya
* Welikathara
* Haralaksaya
* Thushara
* Desa Nisa
* Madol Duwa
* The God King
* Siripala Ha Ranmenika
* Gehenu Lamai
* Veera Puran Appu
* Bambaru Avith
* Siribo Aiya
* Baddegama
* Pura Handa Kaluwara
Joe Abeywickrama needs no introduction as an actor, as his name is assimilated in the minds of all the local movie buffs. Proving his mettle in the international arena Joe had been honoured with the Best Asian Actor title for his performance in Prasanna Vithanage’s Pura Handa Kaluwara at the 1999 Singapore International Film Festival. Here are excerpts of an interview with Daily News ‘Projector’ in which the versatile thespain shares his personal experiences in the sets and behind the screen over many decades.
Joe Mahaththaya, as he is commonly addressed by the people in the celluloid world, quietly walked to the gate to greet and receive us. The trademark smile and the unique voice which had added credibility to this great actor’s performances do not seem to let go of its grip. Yet, a hint of weariness seems to reflect on his face.
After all, it is years since he dished an exceptional performance as the cunning Gorin Mudalali, his breakthrough role, in D B Nihalsinghe’s Welikathara (Desert).
 Joe Abeywickarama Picture by Lalith C Gamage |
At the age 12 Joe got the opportunity to watch the latest English films released at the Colombo Regal. They were released simultaneously at Imperial theatre in Ratnapura, for the benefit of white men who worked in the estates as Planters. Thus Hollywood giants like John Wayn, David Niven, Lee Marvin and Marlon Brando who starred in these films, became Joe’s heroes.
“We used to crawl to the gallery of the cinema to watch their films”, Joe recalled with an impish smile.
There was a twinkle of the old mischief in the comic actor still running in his blood.
These characters influenced the young lad to brush up his innate acting skills and adapt a natural rhythm. This he portrayed to the hilt in productions like Welikathara, Bambaru Awith, Baduth Ekka Horu and Ran Muthu Doowa.
“It was hard to convince the Indian directors. A few actors like me and Gamini tried our best to bring a natural acting style to Sinhala cinema.
At the time, an actor was required to possess girlish looks to be chosen for a main role. My profile pushed me to portray the next best role, which was comedy.
moreI was determined to be an actor at any cost. Therefore I tried to adapt to whatever role that came my way. It was a blessing in disguise which helped me to gain versatility”, he says.
Joe has a great regard for Charlie Chaplin of the silent film era.
“If one can bring credibility to a comic role, he can perform any character with ease”, he stressed, talking through experience.
“There should be a perfect blend of brains, skill, flexibility and rhythm to bring a comic character to the fore.” He believes that acting has to evolve with time.
“An actor has to be mindful of transformations in society and the world as a whole and adjust to situations or he will perish like the dinosaurs,” he said.
Speaking about his widely acclaimed role as Welikathara’s Gorin Mudalali, Joe noted, “I had only acted in a handful of films like Sarawita and Thun Man Handiya which portrayed me in serious roles. All the others were comic characters.
I was in the danger of being confined to the comic actor category. When Tissa Abeysekara showed me the scrip, I knew, portraying Gorin Mudalali’s character in the film would bring me to the next level as a versatile actor. The undying cowboy within me provided much inspiration to take up the role.”
Director Nihalsinghe had been taken by surprise when Tissa suggested Joe for the role. He had sought Joe out and said, “I was under the impression that you are grooming yourself to follow Eddie Jayamanna. You have taken a bold decision. The role is yours.”
Wickrama Randeniya, the police officer’s role, was originally suppose to be played by Ananda Jayarathne. Joe had suggested Gamini Fonseka’s name.
“I told them that if Gamini performed as my counterpart, my projection of Gorin Mudalali will be strengthened. They accepted my words without any hesitation.”
Work progressed smoothly. Gamini and Joe enjoyed the plot. Tissa’s script itself provided room for them to add immense value to their characters. “At one point it seemed like we two did turn into Inspector Wickrama Randeniya and Gorin Mudalali. When it came to shooting the final scenes which were the climax of storyline, the unexpected happened”. Joe’s facial expressions highlighted the grim reality he was going to unveil.
“The end scenes in the script were changed while shooting was in progress.
I was informed that Gorin Mudalali should run in the final gun battle with the police inspector merely to keep the police department and the public sensor board officials at bay. I knew it was a dubious act and resisted at first before compromising”.
In the original script, Gorin Mudalali dies in a face-to-face gun battle with the police battalion. It was supposed to be an ‘eye for an eye’ or a ‘no retreat-no surrender’ situation, which would have led to a very emotional ending.
“I have never taken a rigid stance in a crisis situation in my acting career. Flexibility brought me this far”, the exceptional artiste concluded with a note of content.
Channa Bandara WIJEKOON - Daily News
