Prem Jayanth

Prem Jayanth
ප්‍රේම් ජයන්ත්
Born
Hettiarachchige Emmanuel Aloysius Rodrigo

1933
Grandpass, Sri Lanka
Died17 March 1997 (aged 74)
Colombo
NationalitySri Lankan
OccupationActor
Years active1942-1984
SpouseNanda Leelanayake
Children7
RelativesUmaria Sinhawansa

Hettiarachchige Emanuel Aloysius Rodrigo (1933–17 March 1997), better known as Prem Jayanth, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema as well as a producer and art director.[1][2] Considered as the first male superstar in Sinhala cinema, Jayanth rose to prominence with starring roles in the popular films Sujatha (1953) and Seda Sulang (1955).[3]

Personal life

Main article: Sri Lanka cinema family

Jayanth was born in Layards Broadway, Grandpass and attended Joseph’s College, Grandpass and St. Lucia's College Colombo 13.[3]

Jayanth married actress Nanda Leelanayake sometime in the 1960s and had seven children, two boys - Jagath and Janith - and five girls - Sunila, Sandhya, Anusha, Nirma and Shiroma.[4] His son, Jagath Rohan appeared in few film including 1980 film Sabeetha.[5]

Jayanth died on 17 March 1997 at the age of 64. Nanda died on 26 September 2014 at the age of 84.[4]

Cinema career

He entered the school stage. In 1932, he first joined the public stage through the stage drama Carnival produced by A. D. J. Mathupala.[5]

Jayanth began his film career with a small role in 1952 film Unmathu Wishwasaya directed by B. A. W. Jayamanne. His breakthrough came when he was cast in the lead male role on 1953 film Sujatha opposite Florida Jayalath. The film became a big hit and established Jayanth and Jayalath as major stars.[4] They reappeared together in the 1955 film Seda Sulang which was also popular featuring the only songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar for a Sri Lankan film. Jayanth had a major role in Warada Kageda in 1953.[5]

Jayanth subsequently acted in Awishwasaya, Purusha Rathnaya (1959) and Sithaka Mahima (1964) before reuniting with Jaylath in her directorial effort Sweep Ticket (1965). In 1967 he portrayed a role in Sarana directed by Ashoka David.[3] He quit from acting after the film Sarana.[4]

Jayanth started his company Seven Arts around 1972 and produced such films as Sahanaya (1972), Hondata Hondai (1973), Kawda Raja (1976), Sabeetha (1980), Senasuma (1981) and Mala Giravi (1984).[3] He was also active as a designer of film cutouts and was the art director of Wahal Doopatha (1968) and Deviyani Oba Kohida (1977).[5]

Filmography

Year Film Role Other roles
1952 Umathu Vishwasaya
1953 Sujatha Nihal
1953 Puduma Leli Raja
1954 Warada Kageda Rohith
1955 Seda Sulang Sunil
1958 Salli Malli Salli
1959 Aviswasaya Vijay
1959 Purusha Rathnaya Vijithapala
1964 Heta Pramada Wedi Saman
1964 Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe
1964 Sithaka Mahima
1965 Sweep Ticket
1967 Sarana Producer
1968 Wahal Doopatha Art director
1971 Sahanaya Producer [6]
1971 Samanala Kumariyo Art Director
1973 Hondata Hondai Producer, Assistant Director
1976 Kawuda Raja Producer
1980 Sabeetha Producer
1981 Senasuma Producer, Dialogue Writer
1983 Sandamali Title Writer
1984 Mala Giravi Producer

References

  1. ^ "Actors of Sinhala cinema - Prem Jayanth". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Prem Jayanth filmography". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d "First male superstar in Sinhala cinema". Divaina. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "A son remembers Prem Jayant and Nanda Leelanayake". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d Uvais, Ramesh (2006). "Prem Jayanth: Sinhala Cinema's first super star". Daily Mirror.
  6. ^ "All about Sahanaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2020.