Sri Lankan actor (1937–2022)
Pattiyage Robin Steven Fernando (born 15 June 1937 – died 8 January 2022 as in [Sinhala]), popularly as Robin Fernando, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and television as well as a stunt coordinator. Considered as one of the best stunt directors in Sinhala cinema, Fernando started his career in the 1965 film "Chandiya", and rose to prominence with lead roles.
Early life and education.
Fernando was born on 15 June 1937 at Kotahena, Sri Lanka as the third of the family. His father Cyril Anthony served in Department of Printing and as Chief Foreman in the Printing Division of the M.D. Gunasena Company. His mother Vilet Anthony was a housewife. He had two elder sisters and two younger sisters. A Buddhist devotee, Fernando never gave up going to the Dhamma School at Deepaduttaramaya in Kotahena on every Sundays.
He completed his education from St. Benedict's College, Colombo during the period that World War II occurred. He took national colors for sports such as karate and gymnastics as well. After leaving school in 1963, he went to work for the Mackwood Company in Colombo.
Career.
Fernando was introduced to film director Titus Thotawatte by Ariyaratne Kahawita. His first role came through "Hingana Kolla", as an uncredited stuntman. He was chosen to film "Chandiya" by Ariyaratne Kahavita. According to Fernando, his first cinema acting came through "Chandiya", but it was screened in 1965 after his second film "Dheewarayo" was screened in 1964. He has acted in more than 80 Sinhala films since his debut acting in 1965 film "Chandiya". Until the film "Sagarika", Fernando starred in Thotawatte's films. Although he entered as a martial artist, he was not centered in it. His most adventurous fight scene after Chandiya was in the films "Kapatikama" and "Kauda Hari".
Fernando pointed out that stunt is an art when every time he gets a chance at the films like "Bicycle Horā", "Ohoma Hondada" and "Pēnava Nēda". The 1971 film "Dævena Pipāsa" made his first lead role. By that time he had shown his talent through the sub-main characters such as the role "Raja" in another 1971 film "Hāralakṣe" with one of his most satirical characters. Films such as "Nivena Ginna", "Apēkṣā", "Veera Puran Appu" were among Robin's most acclaimed films. The song "Soduru Lowata Mal Wehala" which he sang with Geetha Kumarasinghe in the 1978 film "Apeksha" is one of the most popular songs in Sinhala cinema. In that film, the terrible fight with Ranjan Mendis was also one of the most adventurous fights in Sinhala cinema. In 1983, Fernando directed his first film "Sura Doothiyo", which was based on real incidents. His last direction came through "Ninja Sri Lanka".
His first television acting came through Sriyani Amarasena's "Ira Batu Tharuwa", which was shot in England. Some of the other television serials of Robin Fernando include, "Chandramaya", "Hangimuttam", "Paradeesaya" and "Damini".
Personal life and death.
Fernando married his partner Violet Jayaweera on 14 October 1964 and they had one son: Channa and one daughter Eranthika. He met Violet in 1962. Fernando died on 8 January 2022, at the age of 84. He had been receiving treatment for Parkinson's disease for nearly two years.
Television.
Fernando has also acted in many television serials.
References.
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