Sampath Jayaweera speaks about 'Igilena Maluwo'

I did not get such an idea about Gayesha ....  just because I acted like that -- Sampath Jayaweera

A streak of suspicion cropped up not long before, over the film 'Igilena Maluwo' film because of a scene portraying Gayesha Perera and Sampath Jayaweera engaging in a form of behaviour calling for serious attraction was included in the film. Most parts of this film which was banned because of a political reason had been viewed by the public across the internet.

Gayesha had spoken about this after acting the sex scenes in the film which gave rise to conflicts with Sri Lankan culture; however, Sampath had not said anything about the topic upto now.

This is how he had expressed ideas about it by joining in with a discussion with the supplement of Mawbima today.

*Why did you act in a film such as 'Flying Fish?'
 There was no reason to act in it. There weren't so many problems so as to to reject an invitation that came my way. At that time I didn't even have a girl friend. If I did have anyone like that, the decision may have changed according to her likes and dislikes, because there were sex scenes in this. There were no objections from home for my acting.

*Though you did it for the sake of agreeing in that instance .... don't you now have any regrets?
 I don't regret anything after doing it. But because of certain incidents that took place after that of course I have regrets. I had to answer by going to the 4th Floor. Even to place the head on the chopping-block, the director should have come to Sri Lanka. But it didn't happen that way. Before the film was screened, some scenes had gone to members of the audience. I regret over that also.

*How much did you take for the film?
 I undertook to play that role for a very much lower fee than what is taken to play such a role.

*What did you feel when you came to know that your lover was Gayesha in the film?
 It was I who proposed Gayesha's name when Sanjeewa was searching for an actress for this. By that time Gayesha had played a few roles with me.

*Was it a case of acting only a sex role?
 It was only a case of acting. A lot of people ask me that question. On such occasions I feel a sense of disgust.

*After these scenes didn't you feel anything else about Gayesha?
 No .... I didn't feel like that. After that film .... I didn't get a chance to act. It was something that happened on a professional level.

*Even though a professional .... you are a normal male who has feelings. Didn't you have a conflict regarding feelings?
 Yes .... though a conflict did take place where feelings were concerned, there was of course no stimulation of feelings as such. The first question that the CID too asked was, "Wonderful chance no?" I told them that if they too were there, they too would be able to see for themselves .... because we are playing that scene and how many are watching! Not alone no. Acting is such a difficult task.At such a moment natural feelings get blasted and no feelings get stimulated.

*When you met Gayesha's fiance Hasanjith .... didn't you feel uneasy?
 No .... Hasanjith does not apply to me.

*Though you were not a lover when doing the film .... when the film was censored you were married. How was the reaction from your wife?
 There's a crowd who wants to create problems no. They had at times spoken to her in an accusative manner. When some people asked her about this .... her heart was bruised to some extent. There was even an exchange of a few words between us. Because of certain influences that came from society, both of us faced certain instances of discomfort.

*Aren't there actresses who said, "Sampath Jayaweera .... I want to spend a night with you?"
 Upto now nobody had said anything like that.

Discussion -- Aruni