Evoking memories of ‘Hansa Vilak’ producer

The late Albert Jayasinghe’s 41st death anniversary falls on April 9

The 41st death anniversary of the late Albert Jayasinghe who produced the movie ‘Hansa Vilak’ falls on Friday, April 9. The arts and music lover  who was so passionate about his first movie production ‘Hansa Vilak’ was not destined to be breathing when the movie was released on October 24, 1980. He passed away six months prior to the release of ‘Hansa Vilak’ .

The late Albert Jayasinghe’s wife, Gnanie Jayasinghe who resides in Dehiwela called to mind the good old days when her husband enthusiastically agreed to produce Dharmasiri Bandaranayake’s first movie direction ‘Hansa Vilak’.

“My husband, though a businessman of repute, was an ardent lover of arts and music. He was a fine singer too. He was one time the chairman of Bake House. He knew a lot about film stars and singers and was a close friend of the late Premasiri Khemadasa. He was 55 when he breathed his last on April 9, 1980 while trying a playful prank on my youngest daughter. He in fact collapsed in the washroom as a result of Cerebral Thrombosis. I am a retired nurse. I immediately administered artificial respiration too but could not breathe life into him.  He was so passionate about this movie and was excitingly looking forward to its release. The film was completely done before he passed away. So when the film was released six months later, the entire burden of handling post release and publicity expenditure fell on my shoulders. In fact my husband had plans to produce more movies for Dharmasiri. The ‘Hansa Vilak’ film reels were in my possession later. But one day Dharmasiri asked me if I could give it to him before the negatives go bad. I agreed because I realized that as his first film direction that movie would carry him some sentimental value. He paid me a certain amount. My children insisted that I need not worry about the money I get. What my children said was ‘at least our father’s name will live on with this film that he was so passionate about’. They knew that their father had left behind enough wealth for them to sustain. ‘So just forget about that film’ is all what they told me. My children were small so I was more concerned about my family’s well-being,” Ms. Jayasinghe said.

jayasinghe family at the premiere

“All my children can sing well just like their father. Even I produced some stage plays for our daham pasala. Well-known film producer the late Dhammika Siriwardana is the son of my husband’s sister. Dhammika was a very caring man. He was very thoughtful about us after my husband’s demise. I am glad that his son Basuru Siriwardana is also making his mark as a film producer,” she said.

The late film producer Albert Jayasinghe’s daughter Ganga Jayasinghe also recalled some of her earliest memories about her father and the movie ‘Hansa Vilak’.

“Initially my mother had not encouraged my father to produce a movie. So he had held the muhurath ceremony at Bake House where he was the chairman at the time. I heard he had first met Dharmasiri uncle at Bake House. It was a general practice then for artistes of Tower Hall plays to patronize Bake House for dinner. Thaththa was impressed by Dharmasiri uncle’s Ekadhipathi stage play then. Dharmasiri uncle had approached my father during that period asking if he could help produce his first movie direction ‘Hansa Vilak’. My father had agreed without any hesitation, probably sensing the talent of Dharmasiri Bandaranayake. My father had enthusiastically visited the film locations daily and it was during one such visits to a location that he suffered his first stroke. Doctors had warned him not to stress himself too much,” she said.

The late Albert Jayasinghe’s wife, Gnanie Jayasinghe recalls memories of her husband’s maiden movie

“Before his death he had completed the film. It was chosen for screening at the Mannheim Film Festival too and my father had received the invitation to attend it. But my father had gladly offered that invitation to Dharmasiri uncle. My father was such a genuine and thoughtful gentleman to the core. He was proud of being able to give a hand to Dharmasiri uncle to make his debut as a director and also hoped this movie would clinch a major award. He also planned to produce another movie ‘Thunweni Yamaya’ with him. The script was with Amma who handed it over back to Dharmasiri uncle after my father’s demise. We are not seeking or looking for any cheap publicity by going down memory lane about this film. We are only rekindling these fond memories as a mark of respect for my father who cherished this movie so much. We are glad that this movie is still esteemed by the masses even after four decades,” said Ganga.

text: Ramesh Uvais