- SL actor makes Kollywood debut
By Venessa Anthony
Ponniyin Selvan, a Tamil language historical fiction action film produced by British-Sri Lankan entrepreneur Allirajah Subaskaran, is set to premiere in Sri Lanka today (30). The movie adaptation of Kalki Krishnamoothy’s 1955 novel of the same title is directed by legendary Mani Ratnam and features an ensemble cast including Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, and Sri Lanka’s very own Shyam Fernando.
Shyam Fernando makes his debut in Kollywood cinema through his role as King Mihindu V in Ponniyin Selvan. Shyam Fernando is a Sri Lankan television, film, theatre, and voice actor best known for his roles in Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka, Premaya Nam, and Davena Vihagun.
Kollywood debut
The Morning Brunch reached out to Shyam Fernando to learn more about his role in the movie and how it came to be. Fernando expressed his gratitude towards filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage, stating that it was because of him that this opportunity came about. “When I met Mani Ratnam, he told me he was looking for an actor that was part of certain Sri Lankan films. He had seen my film directed by Withanage With You, Without You, and was pleased with my acting and decided to pick me for the role,” he told us. Ratnam then went on to contact Vithanage, who put him in touch with Fernando and the rest is history.
This film which Mani Ratnam dubbed his “dream project” started to take shape in 2019 after Subaskaran’s Lyca Productions came on board with funding. Ponniyin Selvan has been widely referred to as “the most anticipated Tamil blockbuster of 2022” by the press, fans, and critics alike. Fernando added that it was an absolute honour to be a part of Ratnam’s dream movie. “For all actors on this movie, it is such an achievement to be a part of what such a prestigious director dubs as his dream movie,” he said.
What makes Ponniyin Selvan significant for the Sri Lankan audience is that it tells the story of the early days of Arulmozhivarman who later became the great Chola Emperor Raja Raja Chola 1 (947 AD – 1014 AD). Sri Lanka was a part of the Chola Empire from 993 to 1070 AD and the writer of the novel, Krishnamoorthy, is said to have visited Sri Lanka a few times to gather information for the book.
Even today, the novel has a cult following and fan base among people of all generations. The book continues to be admired and garner critical acclaim for its tightly woven plot, vivid narration, and the way in which the power struggle and intrigues of the Chola Empire were depicted. The book has remained the undisputed best seller in Tamil Nadu/South India for the past 70 years.
Honourable achievement
Listing off some of the greatest figures in cinema, like the project’s music director Academy Award-winner A.R. Rahman and Producer Allirajah Subaskaran being a respected British-Sri Lankan entrepreneur who founded Lyca Productions, which has produced some of the most iconic Tamil language box office hits in the recent years including 2.0, RRR, Don, Sita Ramam, Pushpa, Darbar, and Kaththi, as well as a plethora of renowned actors, Fernando added that it was enthralling to have worked with such talented people.
Since Fernando plays the role of the Sinhalese king Mihindu V, Ratnam specifically wanted an actor that was well versed in Sinhalese – another plus point for Fernando. Unfortunately, that may also be the reason for the door of opportunities to close. Fernando revealed that Ratnam had expressed much interest in working with him on more ventures, but the opportunities would be limited since Fernando does not speak any Indian languages. “Maybe if the opportunity arises specifically for a Sinhalese-speaking actor, I will be considered first, but the language barrier limits me from many opportunities,” he explained.
He does hope that his debut will bring Sri Lankan actors to the forefront of Indian cinema and open a collaborative network between the two countries.
“PS (Ponniyin Selvan) has been a dream for a very long time, since the time I first read the book during my school days. I neither thought I’d ever get into films nor did I think I’d make it. But it’s always been my calling to make it. It’s so spectacular as a story and as an adventure” – Mani Ratnam
“This movie is a labour of love, and beginning with our guru Mani Sir – it is with complete gratitude to you Sir that we are part of your dream project, that we are going to be part of this narrative on solitude. It’s such an exciting, enticing, interesting narrative. That’s why one can see why filmmakers like Mani Sir would want to bring this out by himself as his dream project, and how fortunate we are that we got to be part of his dream film” – Aishwarya Rai, who plays the dual roles of Pazhuvoor Queen Nandini and wife of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar and Aditha Karikalan’s love interest
