• From on-screen inspirations to breaking assistant directing records

Cinematic greats like Gamini Fonseka and Malini Fonseka have not only redefined Sri Lankan cinema but have also inspired generations of actors and filmmakers, making a permanent mark on the country’s film industry. Among those who was inspired by an on-screen hero to make a name for themselves in the industry is Donald Jayantha, who proudly claims the record for most number of movies as an assistant director.

“My target is to hold the world record for the most number of movies as an assistant director, and the number I need to reach to hold this record is 100,” he said.

Donald Jayantha’s career, which also includes some directing and acting, spans 39 years, although his love for cinema goes way back to his childhood. In conversation with The Daily Morning Brunch, Jayantha gave us a behind the scenes peek at his career.

It all began with Gamini Fonseka

Gamini Fonseka is considered by many as one of the greatest actors in Sinhala cinema. And it is while schooling at the Katapola National College, in Deniyaya Matara in the 70s that Jayantha’s own love for Fonseka grew. “I was film-crazy,” he said, recalling watching movies at the cinema, mainly those that starred Gamini Fonseka and Malini Fonseka.

“I wondered how great it would be if I too, could enter the film industry and act with these people. But I also knew that this boy from a faraway village would receive no support. I must have written thousands of letters to filmmakers, but never received a response,” he shared.

Jayantha said he would even get reprimanded in school for acting out scenes from the movies he watched, but actually getting into the industry proved to be a challenge. “My mother worked in Colombo during this time, and she met journalist and filmmaker Dharmasiri Gamage. My mother told him about me and how much I wanted to act. Gamage told her to bring me to Colombo. And so she did, in 1981.”

Jayantha was introduced to Gamage, and was asked what he wanted to do. “I want to act,” Jayantha said, and Gamage advised Jayantha that passion alone was insufficient as one also needed to study the art.

And so Jayantha got involved in the behind the scenes work of filmmaking, and was also involved with Gamage’s column Pahan Wata, which featured upcoming authors and artists.

“Having come to Colombo, my biggest dream was to see Gamini Fonseka, but for three years, I didn’t meet him anywhere. I would go to film locations hoping to catch a glimpse of the actor but never had any luck,” Jayantha shared.

One day, Dharmasiri Gamage told Jayantha that they were going to start shooting Puja, which starred Gamini Fonseka, Malini Fonseka, Ravindra Randeniya, Amarasiri Kalansuriya, Vijaya Kumaranatunga, and Kamal Addararachchi.

The “muhurath” ceremony of the movie was held in a Colpetty hotel in 1986. “And that was the day I finally met my beloved hero Gamini Fonseka. This made me extremely happy, since I had looked up to him since I was in school. Dharmasiri Gamage introduced me to Gamini Fonseka, saying I entered the film industry because of Fonseka.”

Fonseka then inquired about Jayantha’s hometown and his involvement in this film.

“He then tapped me on the back and said, ‘You continue with this work, but maintain your knowledge, sacrifice, and interest and go forward. And things will definitely work out for you’. My hero saying this filled me with much joy and I promised myself that I will somehow climb to the top of the film industry,” Jayantha shared.

Achievements during a 39-year career

The joy and pride in Donald Jayantha’s voice is hard to miss as he talks about his career, especially since he was able to not only meet his on-screen heroes but also work with them and befriend them. “My school-time heroes Gamini Fonseka and Malini Fonseka went on to become friends later in my life, and this is an honour, as it rarely happens,” he said.

Likewise, filmmakers he looked up to, also became his friends.

Talking about his career, Donald Jayantha said he first worked on the movie Yasa Isuru, which starred Malini Fonseka. This was back in 1982, which came before Gamage’s Puja.

“In 1987, I was first assistant director for the first time in Dahana. Sanath Gunathilake played the main role, and a new talent at the time, Mangala Karunaratne also acted in it. I went on to do fifty movies at a stretch. My first movie as first assistant director was by Priyantha Colombage, and my 50th was also by Colombage, which was Adaraneeya Kathawak (2016).”

Jayantha has worked on 64 movies as assistant director, and holds the record for the most number of films done as an assistant director in Sri Lanka. “It was only after working on 50 movies as assistant director that I became a director, with Prawegaya and Maya. I also have an upcoming movie, which is yet to be named,” he shared.

During his years in cinema, Jayantha has been instrumental in actors from Semini Iddamalgoda to Pooja Umashankar shooting to fame, and said he has helped 47 actresses thus far. He has also helped several actors and assistant directors, who have all established names for themselves in the industry.

Jayantha added that he has been the assistant director to many people’s directorial debuts, sharing that these are all movies that have done well at the cinema.

While mentioning several people who have supported and befriended him over the years, Jayantha made a special mention of filmmaker Udayakantha Warnasuriya. Jayantha has been the assistant director of 27 films by Warnasuriya, and praised the filmmaker for being easy to work with, having mutual understanding and respect for each other, and being a rare filmmaker who does not lose their temper on set.

Given that Jayantha’s interest in the industry grew through acting, The Daily Morning Brunch asked the assistant filmmaker why he didn’t go in that direction. Jayantha shared that while he has acted in a few teledramas and films, he himself felt he wasn’t a good actor, and decided to instead pursue a behind-the-scenes career in cinema.

Advise and words of wisdom

Giving us a better idea of what an assistant director does, Jayantha said: “We assist directing, but the assistant director isn’t a disciple of the director and is instead someone who works towards improving the overall production.”

He added that there were very few good assistant directors in Sri Lanka, and mentioned names like the late Anton Gregory and Jayantha’s mentor I.N. Hewawasam.

In terms of acting, Jayantha advised anyone who wished to make a name for themselves in the industry to maintain discipline and build relationships with others in the industry. “If you want to act, study the art. Watch old movies. Read books. Gain knowledge about acting. Acting isn’t just about reading a script. It’s about conveying emotion,” he shared.