Prem Jayanth

Hettiarachchige Emanuel Aloysius Rodrigo (193317 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]

Prem Jayanth
ප්‍රේම් ජයන්ත්
Born
Hettiarachchige Emmanuel Aloysius Rodrigo

1933
Grandpass, Sri Lanka
Died17 March 1997 (aged 74)
NationalitySri Lankan
OccupationActor
Years active1942-1984
Spouse(s)Nanda Leelanayake
Children7

Personal life

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

YearFilmRoleOther roles
1952Umathu Vishwasaya
1953SujathaNihal
1953Puduma LeliRaja
1954Warada KagedaRohith
1955Seda SulangSunil
1958Salli Malli Salli
1959AviswasayaVijay
1959Purusha RathnayaVijithapala
1964Heta Pramada WediSaman
1964Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe
1964Sithaka Mahima
1965Sweep Ticket
1967SaranaProducer
1968Wahal DoopathaArt director
1971SahanayaProducer [6]
1971Samanala KumariyoArt Director
1973Hondata HondaiProducer, Assistant Director
1976Kawuda RajaProducer
1980SabeethaProducer
1981SenasumaProducer, Dialogue Writer
1983SandamaliTitle Writer
1984Mala GiraviProducer

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. "First male superstar in Sinhala cinema". Divaina. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  4. "A son remembers Prem Jayant and Nanda Leelanayake". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  5. Uvais, Ramesh (2006). "Prem Jayanth: Sinhala Cinema's first super star". Daily Mirror.
  6. "All about Sahanaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
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