Face2Face with Robin Fernando
in London
By Dr. Tilak S. Fernando
Picture credit :Google
Robin Fernando needs no introduction. Having entered
the Sri Lankan cinema-world four decades ago, his face is still a common feature
on the Sri Lankan television screens today. he Does not seem to have retired
from his much loved career in acting.
As a youngster, whose mind was hell bent on gymnastics and
sports, he has made use of his skills to develop those to be famous as an action
man in the Sinhala cinema. His personality, build and the height naturally
complemented with each other to prop him up to the pinnacle of Sinhala cinema
and to become well known and a hero among many picture goers, who particularly
liked action and fighting in films.
Keeping up with the
present trend, and moving with the times, he has been concentrating on many
other serious characters of late on tele-drama. Four decades ago, Robin
Fernando was the hero of the writer, and it was a privilege, a great occasion,
experience and much of a coincidence that he had the opportunity last October
to be in the same tele- drama and in the same frame with Robin as a
co-actor in Sriyani Amarasena's production ‘Pushparaga,’
which is due to be released soon on Sri Lankan television.
Q: Robin, You became
very popular in the Sri Lankan cinema and earned a reputation, as being an
‘Action Man', weren't you? Would you like to throw some light on that?
A Yes Tilak, there's a certain amount of truth in your statement. My
first film was called, ‘Chandiya' directed by Titus Thotawatta. In this film I
had to live up to my character as a ' real chandiya' (street gangster).
Q. How did you prepare
for such a role, that being your very first cinema encounter? Did you have
to train a lot before shooting of the film?
A. I studied at St. Benedict's College, Colombo, from 1942 to 1957. During
my school days I participated in a lot of extracurricular activities and
sports. I was a Corporal in the Senior Cadet Corp, and I was heavily involved with gymnastics and
boxing as well.
Q. Wasn't that a limited
experience in college, and was it adequate to live up to the Chandiya character in the film in 1960?
A. Not really, but it groomed me and drove me to pursue in the area of
gymnastics professionally. You see, famous American actor, Burt Lancaster, was
one of the best gymnasts during my time, and my hero. That too boosted and
encouraged me quite a bit, and led me to take a keen interest in learning
self-defence courses such as judo, karate, boxing, fencing, horse riding etc,
almost all the areas that I thought would be beneficial to become an actor. And
don't forget, in the back of my mind, I always wanted to be an action man, just
like my hero, Burt Lancaster.
Q. So, did you become an action star over night, after the
release of the film Chandiya?
A. Well! You can say that because in 80% of the films I took part in,
subsequently, I was given the role of an action man. I was also popular
socially in Colombo circles at the time as the Public Relations Manager in
promoting the very first Sinhala Vidya (science) Magazine in Sri Lanka whose
Managing Editor at the time was Karuna Ramanayake (Bodhinayake). Being known
socially also helped me a lot, I should say.
Q: Did you particularly
choose daring characters or the Directors and Producers automatically assigned
you to such roles automatically?
A. The answer to your question could be a mixture of both. But the main
reason was that during my time there were not many stunt men, unlike now in the
West, to have a double to do all the nasty and dare devil acts for you, such as
jumping off horses ,jumping out of buildings, trains or even from bridges. Every
act in the film script of the chosen character had to be performed by the actor
himself, so with my experience and all round training in such activities, I
became one of the chosen few, I should say, to be in the limelight.
Q. Have you had any
accidents during your action filming and have you been ever injured in such
stunts?
A. I have had quite a few accidents by falling off buildings, horses and
jumping from bridges to rivers etc., but I must say, I have been extremely
lucky not to have sustained serious injuries throughout my acting career.
Having said that I must also say that there have been one or two occasions
where I had to use 'a double' (stunt man) for extremely dangerous and daring
acts, which I declined to perform.
Q. Have you directed any
films at all?
A. I have been a Stunt Director in about 80% of the action films done
during my time. I must also say that during my time there were no special
training centres, workshops or colleges for thespians or anyone for that matter,
to pursue studies on this subject. All we had was access to foreign films and
magazines only, and it depended on one's interest and enthusiasm in trying to
gather information, as much as possible, to be a self-tutor.
Q. Have you been working
as the main Director of any film at all?
A. I have directed and co-produced two-action films - Sura Dhuthayo and Ninja
- Sri Lanka.
Q. It seems that you
have branched off from films to tele-drama of late. Is it due to any
particular reason?
A. I cannot pin point to a particular reason as such. I, like any other
professional, have to move with the times and adapt to whatever market
variations at any given time, and become a kind of a supply and demand tool.
Q. Do you mean to say
that demand for films is diminishing in Sri Lanka and the teledramas are taking
over the Industry, lock stock and barrel?
A. Yes, I think to a greater extent erosion is taking place (if I can use
that expression.)
Q. Why do you think so?
A. The word Cost can be the
common denominator here, in terms of productions as well as viewing audiences
are concerned. To produce a film is comparatively expensive, it costs much more
than producing a tele- drama. Secondly for example, say for a family to go to a
cinema hall to see film these days is very expensive, and in many cases they
simply cannot afford, taking into account transport charges, tickets being
costly and expenses on refreshments while watching the cinema etc. In the case
of viewing a teledrama at home, it is a different kettle of fish. The whole
family can sit together and watch it free of charge! This in fact has managed
to destroy our film industry to a greater degree.
Q. What are your
personal views to rectify this situation, and to prop up the ailing film
industry, in Sri Lanka?
A. It is my firm belief that stringent rules and regulations should be the
answer to this cancerous disease, and it is up to the policy makers and the
politicians alike, to take an interest in our cultural aspects of Sri Lankan
life.
Q. Do you think that the
teledrama ‘craze’ has affected the very fabric of the Sri Lankan society to
some degree?
A. Definitely yes! We are increasingly becoming anti-social, day
after day, by gluing to the television, especially during tele drama casting
times. When I say this, I must say that you cannot compare our television with
that of say, for example with England. In England during winter months it is
bitterly cold, snow bound, its raining most of the time and the whole
environment looks miserable, therefore, no one likes to go out unless one is compelled to
do so. In that kind of an environment a television is a must for entertainment for the homebound. Unfortunately today
Children in Sri Lanka are more interested in the TV than books, which is a
tragedy.
Q. Robin, when you say
that England TV is much better than the Sri Lankan TV, do you not realise the
fact that in Sri Lanka television comes out only with family programmes
suitable for family watching, unlike in the West young have access to all kinds
of adult movies and even erotic films!
A. Tilak, I must correct you here. What you have in mind is only the Sinhala
Rupavahini programmes, which I admit has a control over what they telecast. But
don't forget that in Sri Lanka we have access to Cable and Satellite TV also,
and English soaps are not controlled here like Rupavahini Programmes! The fact
remains that children or anyone can watch family programmes on Rupavahini as
well as other English programmes via other channels through the same box! So
what is the great idea in putting restrictions only on Sinhala teledrama?
In Sinhala teledrama, one is not supposed to show drinking
alcohol, smoking cigarettes etc., but just by pressing a button on the remote
control what can't they see? Not only drinking, smoking, hugging and kissing
but at times even worse erotic scenes and adult movies! When there is such wide
and varied access through the television in Sri Lanka, is it not rather a
stupid way of monitoring programmes and putting restrictions on Sinhala
programmes only?
Q. Well, one might argue
that the Western culture is different, as such, a kiss or a hug is harmless,
and question as to what harm can they do?
A. It may be suitable for that particular culture, but we should have the
common sense to realise and identify cultures that are alien to our traditions,
which are thousands of years old. Whether it is imported from abroad, sun, or
the moon, our ‘great brains’ should be able to think and decide whether such
programmes are suitable for our society and make restrictions wisely, and very appropriately.
Q. Let's discuss about
your own tele drama field How many have
you taken part in so far?
A. If you ask me about films, I can say about one hundred or so. But when
it comes to teledrama its only a hand full. I got the first break to act in a
teledrama in London in Sriyani Amarasena's Ira
Bata Taruwa. I am grateful to Sriyani in affording this opportunity for me.
Also I must convey my sincere thanks to Wimal Alahakoon and Lilani Perera in
London, who were co-producers of the film, without whose help this would not
have materialised.
In 1999 I took part in another teledrama,
which was filmed in London, called, Chandramaya,
which is due to be screened shortly on Rupavahini. The late Mr. Chandradasa in
London produced it. Then I have taken part in another Sriyani Amarasena's
productions, filmed in Sri Lanka, called 'Hangimuttam',
which is due to be telecast in the near future. For the third time I was in
London last October to take part in Sriyani's third teledrama produced in
London, Pushparaga about which I
don't have to say much, as you and I were both involved in major roles in it.
It is also due to be released shortly. Apart from that I have a new action
series lined up for filming in Sri Lanka, and already I am in a popular running
series called, Damini at
present.
Q. What is your future
plans in the area of teledrama?
A. I would really like to direct, than going into production, because
that is something that I had not done completely. I have few plans on the
drawing board at present, with some of my very good friends in London, who are
making arrangements to come down to Sri Lanka to produce tele-dramas
professionally and continuously. So I am very much looking forward to lot of
actions in the future and keeping my fingers crossed.
Q. What is your recipe
to make a tele-drama more appealing to the public?
A. The most boring factor for the audience is to see the same old story
lines being repeated in many forms. I would like to go into periodical stories
although it costs a bit more than the normal. If you want to produce something
good and special and out of the ordinary, you need to spend that extra bit -
I'm sure you have heard the expression - output is always equivalent to the
input! I like challenges in life as much as in films. When we did the film ' Haara Laxaya ( 4 Lakhs) it was a
challenge all right, but we somehow succeed in doing it.
Q. As a prospective
Director, how would you go by, in selecting your cast ?
A. I would always prefer professional actors to the novices or the
inexperienced. In my book a place is always there for the talented artiste.
Q. Don't you think that
at times you might run into problems in trying to tell professional actors how
to perform in a particular a scene or
act, the way you want to, as opposed to what they have in mind, as they might
think (of course through their ego ) that they know it all, and do not want to
be dictated by anyone !
A. A real professional will always work in harmony with the Director, and
will honour the Director's wishes. He or she will look at the scene and the
circumstances surrounding the story and harmonise with the Director's wishes.
That is why the correct selections are absolutely essential.
Q. You have been in
films for forty years now. Have you ever being subjected to any scandals or
tittle-tattle as such, as you know, it can happen to anyone very easily
especially when one is in the limelight, and always intermingling with the
beautiful women all the time ?
A. I am proud to say with my head up that there hasn't been
a single scandal, gossip or involvement during my 40 year acting career. The
reason for that is simple - I don't mix business with pleasure! That was one
thing I was determined to do. I loved my trade, and from day one I made that
resolution and stuck to my guns. So no one in the film industry can try to
sling any mud on my character. That is a
thing that I am very much proud of.
What more I have a wonderful and a loving wife at home !
Q. Now at the age of 64,
having being a popular actor and still kicking about in the cinema and
television, what have you got to sit back and look and enjoy.
A. My dear Tilak, there is a vast difference between the chronological
age and the functional age! I still enjoy what I am doing at present - still
learning the lines for some tele drama etc. I have a lovely wife, who has been
a tower of strength to me right throughout my film career. Still she is, and
makes no fuss at all. I have a son, who is a General Manager of a Tourist Hotel
in Colombo and a daughter, a Supervisor attached to SriLankan Airways. I enjoy
my grandchildren and what more can I expect in life?
Q. I gather you have
another special hidden talent and that you are a fine gourmet? How did you
learn that trade?
A. In 1973 I was in London. There I had no wife or anyone to cook for me,
and it was a case of trial and error at the beginning, and then I took a liking
to it and mastered it. I love cooking. Whenever we go film shooting, I like to
make some dishes for the boys, and we have a grand time. Haven't you heard that
the world's best chefs are men?
Q. So, Robin Fernando,
you are a good cook as well, after all?
A. Well Tilak, to put in a nutshell, I am not a Cock Robin, Cook Robin or
Robin Cook but you can say a versatile Robin!
(2003- London - News Lanka.