-SHAUN MAXIMUS DISSANAYAKE-
රවින්ද්ර රණ්දෙනිය පිළිබද මා ඉංග්රීසි බසින් ලියූ ලිපිය, එංගලන්තයේ පලවන ‘LANKA NEWS UK’ පුවත් පතේ පලවූ ආකාරය.
ලිපිය නැවතත්:
If there was an actor with perfect personality in Sri Lankan cinema, it was only Ravindra Randeniya. His handsome image is huge on the cinema screen. It was depicted in his first screened film ‘Kalu Diya Dahara’. Although he was a stranger in the movie ‘Kalu Diya Dahara’, he did not have to make any effort to hide that strangeness. That is because he came to cinema with education, knowledge, ability and existence. His education helped him realize what a screenplay is. The knowledge helps to recognize what cinematography is and the ability is to manipulate one’s mind, body and voice in imagery. The Existence, helped him to balance the great and the small in the climax.
Likewise, he got to act there with veteran actors like Joe Abeywickrama, as well as Vincent Serasinghe, Indira Jonclas and Mano Breckenridge, who have acted excellently on the English stage. It is a great fortune that Randeniya entered cinema as fresher. If not, it was something that happened according to his luck.
Looking at Randeniya’s early films, he became a popular actor and became a great actor not in one film. He built his own identity from the popular side and the artistic side separately. The role of ‘Rohan’, a handsome, cocky young man in the film ‘Duhulu Malak’ made him a popular actor. And the audience realized that he was a talented actor from the character of ‘Siripala’ through the movie ‘Siripala and Ranmanika’ which was screened at the same time.
From 1971 to the current year 2024, the number of films he acted is approximately 116, But in many of the films he acted in his character was overshadowed by the opposite of the female characters, how much skillfully he portrayed his character. It was proved by movies like ‘Aradhana’, ‘Dadayama’, ‘Sagara Jalaya Madi Haduva’, ‘Surabidena’, ‘Ananta Ratiya’, ‘Siri Mandura’, & ‘Seilama’.etc.
Malani Fonseka in ‘Aaradhana’ and ‘Ek Tam Gay’, Swarna Mallavaarachichi in ‘Dadayama’, ‘Sagara Jalaya’ and ‘Ananta Ratiya’, Anoja Weerasinghe in ‘Seilama, ‘Surambidena’ and ‘Sirimandura’ were surpassed the characters played by Randeniya. As a main reason was that, the screenplay writers been written those, by giving priorities to the female characters. On the other hand, since the three actresses who played those roles were also the best actresses,in Sinhala cinema. When it concerned, Randeniya had to hold back a bit.
There are hardly any other actors who got opportunities to show their skills as much as Randeniya. But for some reasons, Randeniya was not able to show his best in many such films, which was his downfall. The role of ‘Puran Appu’ in the movie ‘Veera Puran Appu’, the role of ‘Saradiel’ in ‘Sura Saradiel’, Laxman/Lal in ‘Sitha Devi’, Mugalan in ‘The God King’, Arachchi in ‘Sathveni Dawasa’, Sir Charles in ‘Hima Katara’, Ahinsaka/Angulimala in ‘Angulimala’, Muhandiram in ‘Bava Dukha’, and Ivan in ‘Chudamanikya’ are some of those films. If Randeniya look back again of those characters what he did, he would be realize the same.
Randeniya was not successful in commercial films. Although he acted few commercial type films like ‘Ranga’, ‘Hithath Hodai Wadath Hodi’, ‘Babara Patikki’, ‘Raja Wadakarayo’, he didn’t become a hero whose fans whistled. Nor was he a superstar or a dream prince. He always looked like a talented, & quality actor on screen. It was well seen through 3 movies where he played villainous characters. They are ‘Dadayama’, ‘Janelaya’ and ‘Maya’. Although he played roles that were unpleasant to the audience in those films, the audience did not hate him. What it was happened the audience were identified him as characteristics actor.
But some of movies he acted was remarkable. ‘Ra Manamali’ was one of such movie. The Character name is ‘Jagath’. The story of mystery, murder, sex & love. Veena Jayakody & Akushalla Chellaiha,were opposite with Randeniya and It directed by Veteran Actor/Director Gamini Fonseka. It was the only film which Fonseka did not act any of character. He had fully confidence of Randeniya. That may be the reason he select Randeniya for the main roll of it.
The characters of ‘Dasa Nisa’, ‘Tharanga’, ‘Wasanthaye Dawasak’, ‘Yasoma’ ‘Poronduwa’ ‘Sadakada Pahana’ were the other remarkable movies what Randeniya did as a leading star. ‘Induta Mal Mitak’, ‘Koti Walugaya’, ‘ Devani Gamana’, ‘Pawana Raluwiya’, ‘Yakadaya’ some of second rolls what he did, but it also counted.
Randeniya was awarded as the best actor several times in the award ceremonies held by the Sarasaviya newspaper. Those were given for the films of 1984 ‘Dadayama’, 1985 ‘Maya’, 1989 ‘Sandakada Pahana’, 1990 ‘Siri Mandura’, and 1996 ‘Seilama’. Similarly, at the 1984 Presidential Awards ceremony, Randeniya won the best actor award for his performance in the movie ‘Dadayama’. In 1998 he won the Best Supporting actor award for his character of the film ‘Bawa Duka’.
Although Randeniya entered to Sri Lankan politics, it did not suit him. Even though he represented the Parliament, he alienated a part of the audience who loved and respected him. After realizing the displeasure, he stayed away from politics.
If Randeniya had been born in Britain and performed in their cinema like this, he would have been Knighted today just as Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Alec Guiness. It is a matter of regret that even the previous & current government does not appreciate his achievements what he did to the Sri Lankan cinema.
There for it is highly appreciated for organizing a big tribute show by the Ravindra Randeniya Foundation, showing the honor of his dedication for the Sri lankan Cinema.
May wish him to continue to grace the audience for another years & years, and also I take this opportunity to wish to have the Greatest tribute show ever on earth on 5th of June at BMICH.
-SHAUN MAXIMUS DISSANAYAKE-