A conversation with Nilanthi's 80-year-old blind aunt Beulah Dias, also known as 'Duleeka'

Mrs. Beulah Dias Karunaratne, an actress who captivated the Sinhala cinema screen in the 70s, recently celebrated her 80th birthday after returning to the country from abroad after many years. She awakened many interesting memories about how she entered cinema by accident back then, and her experiences as a film star in the 70s.

Many had stated that it was difficult to say her age is 80. Her brother's daughter is the popular local actress Nilanthi Dias. Nilanthi also joined the conversation with Beulah. In an interview held with the Sirasa channel, she stated that she entered cinema at the age of 26. She managed to win the hearts of local film fans through her first film "Dulika", which was screened in 1974. In an era where giant actresses like Malini Fonseka existed, she received the opportunity to join cinema as a fresh face by accident. 
Beulah Dias Karunaratne's husband was Trevor Karnehoff. They had moved to Canada after their marriage. Her husband was a Canadian professional who led a long and successful career in airport development. He served in over 20 airport projects around the world and was engaged in the industry for over 35 years.


Beulah, who considers the opportunity to contribute through acting alongside the unparalleled lover of cinema back then, Vijaya Kumaratunga, as a great privilege, recalled with great respect the support he gave her regarding acting.

Specifically, the way the song "Adara Mal Pawane" in the film "Dulika" was filmed, and the scene where she rolls down a hill and breathes her last in Vijaya Kumaratunga's arms during one scene, is a memory that remains indelible in her even today. She recalled with a smile how Vijaya carried her all the way to the top of the hill after that scene, stating that such was the dedication of a true actor. Although she engaged in an outstanding performance during an era where there were only a handful of dancers in cinema, she had to distance herself from cinema due to personal reasons.

Mrs. Dias states that although she left cinema forty-five years ago and went abroad, the love local fans still show her is surprising. The heaps of letters and fan responses that filled suitcases she received back then are still stored in her mind. She says that if she gets an opportunity to enter cinema even today, she has a strong desire to portray the character of an elderly mother or a village woman.

Nilanthi Dias, her brother's daughter and a popular local actress and dancer, also joined this conversation. Nilanthi mentioned that she is proud of the inspiration she received from her aunt to enter the acting field and how she acted with giants like Vijaya Kumaratunga. Mrs. Dias, who still possesses a beautiful appearance just like back then despite being eighty years old, vowed that although speaking the Sinhala language is somewhat difficult, her affection for her country and fans remains unchanged.

Her full interview is below


Mrs. Beulah Dias Karunaratne, first of all, we wish you a happy birthday. How long has it been since you came to Sri Lanka?

 "I came two years ago. But before that, I came twelve years ago when my daughter got married." 

When did you join cinema? At what age? 

"Must be about twenty-six. I did those films about forty-five years ago. Didn't do many, because I had a contract. About nine films were done back then. If I stayed, I could have done many more Sinhala films. So, I can't say I didn't have that luck."

 Let's recall the fan responses received in those days. 

"There were unforgettable experiences. I came to Sri Lanka later. Then Mr. K.W. took me to a cinema hall. That's when I realized I was such a popular actress. I became an actress by accident. I was scared when I saw the fans. When everyone was looking at me, K.W. said 'They have come to see you, raise your hand a bit and greet them'. That's when I knew these people came to see me."



If you became an actress by accident, what was your life's dream? Did you think of moving forward as a dancer?

 "Never thought of such a thing. We came for a charity event, I said yes, and did it. I might have got that character because Malini Fonseka hadn't accepted many films at that time. I don't know if I got that chance because I was a fresh face. When I did 'Dulika', I hadn't done any films or dramas. So they asked me if I could play a character exacting revenge. I told Mr. K.W. to tell me whatever he wants and I'll do it."

"He directed me. But there is one thing I can't do, I can't cry. Since I haven't cried out loud, I didn't know how to do it. That character just became famous because I came from abroad with a different face. Since I hadn't seen any Sinhala films, I didn't know how to copy anyone's acting. So I don't know if I succeeded. The film 'Dulika' was screened in the year 1974."


Getting to act with Mr. Vijaya Kumaratunga, whom the country loved, is a dream for any actress?

"When I got that chance, I didn't know about it. I didn't know anyone in the film industry. I didn't know how famous Mr. Vijaya Kumaratunga was at that time. I only did what I was told."

Must have had unforgettable experiences while acting.

"Oh, I remember well. I had a dying scene in it. Rolled down the hill, rolled and fell, and I died on Vijaya's arms. So he has to carry me and come up the hill. Climbing the hill carrying someone isn't easy. After coming up he said 'You are quite heavy'. That's when I knew how hard it is to climb a hill carrying even a small person. Anyway, he did it."

If we recall the support received from Mr. Vijaya Kumaratunga while acting with him?

 "Yes, he helped me a lot. I knew nothing about this field, so I did as he did and said. I received great help from cameramen and other assistants. They even helped read the script. I became famous because of them."

"If I had done about ten films, I would know more things than this. I would know how to turn the face, how to smile, how to keep hands. Back then I knew none of that. But I enjoyed those performances a lot. I came knowing nothing about this field. In almost every scene, he either holds me or turns me a bit. He helped me a lot to be visible to the camera. He taught me 'Slowly look this side and smile'. As an actress, I became very popular among people back then. About twenty days after coming from abroad, the postman came and gave me a pile of letters. I was scared at that moment. I wondered if all these were responses I received. Brother, I remember him saying 'Not just that, there are letters enough to fill another suitcase'. Those letters encouraged me a lot. I don't know if those people are still there".



"Many wrote to me saying they want to be actresses. So how could I help them? I wasn't even in Sri Lanka. But because of that love received, I got a lot of confidence. I felt I was very lucky."


Didn't you feel sad about distancing yourself from cinema and acting? 

"Can't say exactly, I didn't feel sadness. But after coming back to Sri Lanka, I realized I have a fan club like this. They love me a lot. They ask why I don't come to act again."

If a new film director invites you to act at this moment, would you accept it? 
"I really like to play a character like an old mother. Then the appearance can be changed and shown. Like a character wearing that cloth and jacket (redda hattaya), with a towel tied on the head. A character washing clothes, scraping coconut. That's not something I usually think of, but I want to act a character like that. I really like to do a character that is old, with white hair, if I get one. I would love it if I get such an opportunity."

 What do you have to say to the Sri Lankan audience? 

"If you get an opportunity, take it. Try it out, try to do any character. Because many people in the film industry help."



Looking at Mrs. Beulah Dias Karunaratne's appearance back then, we now have someone with a very similar appearance. That is Nilanthi Dias. Who are these two really? What is the connection between them? 

"Nilanthi is my brother's daughter, I am her aunt. That means I am her father's sister. How beautiful, the two look just alike. Many must be saying you two looked alike in the early days of joining the cinema field."

Nilanthi - 
"I think many people say that. I actually want to be like Auntie. I consider Nilanthi like my own daughter. So I am actually proud too. 

I am very proud of my Auntie. I also came to this field by accident, without even thinking. I never came to the field saying who my Auntie was. I am very happy my Auntie got to act with a veteran talented actor like Vijaya Kumaratunga. Even if we haven't seen that era, we follow them even today. We try to act to their songs."

Beulah-
 "She has been very talented since childhood. From age four or five, she wears mother's clothes and shows us dance scenes. So I knew she would become a major figure when she grows up, especially a talented dancer. I am very happy she is celebrating my birthday on a day like today."

You have forgotten Sinhala a bit, haven't you? 

"Yes, that is what has happened. Because I don't speak in Sinhala now. Where I live, there is no one to speak with, and I teach in English. So speaking in Sinhala is a bit difficult now." 

Although you are 80 now, we wish you get to celebrate your 100th birthday too. 

"Thank you very much. If that happens, I will come back to Sri Lanka. I will come to celebrate the 100th birthday even with a walking stick."

Watch the video of this discussion ›