Wilson Karunaratne

Wilson Karunaratne, popularly known as Wilson Karu (28 October 1942 – 3 May 2022) was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, and stunt director.[1] Considered one of the best villains in Sinhala cinema,[2] Karunaratne acted in more than 240 films across many genres primarily as main antagonist.[3]

Wilson Karunaratne
විල්සන් කරුණාරත්න
Born28 October 1942
Died3 May 2022 (aged 79)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationLumbini College
Occupation(s)Actor, Stunt Director
Years active1972–2019

Personal life

Wilson Karu was born on 28 October 1942 in Colombo, Sri Lanka as the second child of the family with four siblings.[4] He had one elder brother, one younger sister and one younger brother. He completed education from Lumbini College, Colombo. During young ages, he played football, cricket, gymnastics, wrestling, judo and karate. Once he was selected to go to a football training camp in Pakistan, but he could not attend the camp as he fell from motor bike and broke the shoulder.[5]

He never married and lived alone after the death of his parents. He died on 3 May 2022 at the age of 79.[6] His remains were laid at Jayaratne parlour for public respect on 3 May 2022 and cremation took place at Kirulapone crematorium at 4 p.m on 4 May 2022.[7]

Career

He had a long standing passion to be an actor star where he frequently went to the film halls to watch English and Sinhala films. A relative called Punya Bulathsinhala referred him to the director of the film Hadawath Naththo Subayar Makeem in 1974. Karunaratne made his maiden cinematic appearance through the 1974 film Hadawath Naththo as a stuntman.[5] The first scenario was the fight with Robin Fernando at the Rubber Estate. He went missing from the films for about a year after Hadawath Naththo. After that, with the help of Karunadasa Perera, the then production manager of the films, Karu re-entered the film industry by joining the fight scenes in films such as Yakadaya, Hitha Mithura, Sankapali and Saradielge Putha directed by Neil Rupasinghe and Sarath Rupasinghe.[5]

In 1987, he got a lead role in the film Kiwule Gedara Mohottala directed by Pathiraja L.S. Dayananda. In one scene in the film, he had to jump from a height of about 80 feet, where his spine hit a rock. Dr. Godagama Jayasinghe treated his spine for months. He continued to make several near-to-death moments during jumps, summersaults and scenes in moving trains and trucks in the films such as:[5] Dinesh Priyasad's Demodara Palama, Malani Fonseka's Sasara Chethana, Cyril Weerasinghe's Anuradha, Preethiraj Weeraratne's Pudumai Eth Aththai, Ranjith Siriwardena's Yudha Gini Meda etc. He won a merit award for the role "Nicholas" in Fonseka's film Sasara Chethana.[8]

With that he acted in more than 250 Sinhala films and 15 television serials particularly as the villain.[9] Apart from cinema, he appeared in the television serials Thara Devi produced by Lucien Bulathsinhala and also in the serials Eranga and Ran Kahawanu.[5] Meanwhile, he also worked as the stunt director in few films.[10][11] In 2018 he appeared in the music video Danuna produced by Iraj Weeraratne, where the public later criticized his appearance for the life of popular singer Victor Rathnayake.[12]

Arrest

In May 2020, Karu was arrest by the police due to obstruction of police duty in violation of quarantine laws. The incident had taken place in the Kirulapone area while attempting to obtain the Rs. 5000 allowance.[13] He was produced to the court by Kirulapone police.[14]

Accident

In March 2021, Karu fell at his home and no one noticed for several hours. Neighbors rushed him to hospital after they saw the water continue to flow in the bathroom for a long time. He then received treatment at Ward 43 of the Colombo General Hospital.[15] A Bodhi Pooja for a speedy recovery was held at the Bellanwila Temple on 21 March 2021.[16]

Filmography and stunt coordination

  • No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.[17]
YearNo.FilmRolesRef.
1974288Hadawath Naththo
1974302Jeewana Ganga
1976352Saradiyelge PuthaRate Mahaththaya's son
1977365Hithuwoth HithuwamaiKaru[18]
1977381YakadayaTruck fighter[19]
1978389Seetha Devi
1978394Hitha Mithura
1978395Selinage WalawwaThug
1978399Veera Puran AppuRebel[20]
1978407Apeksha
1979422Wasanthaye DawasakPremasiri
1979429Sugandhi
1980441Jodu Walalu
1980451Sasaraka Pathum
1980465Sinhabahu
1980469Kiduru KumariFishermen leader[21]
1981475Sathweni Dawasa
1981477Valampuri
1981485VajiraJohn. as Stunt coordinator
1982508Bambara GeethayaLandlord
1982512BicycaleHichchi Mahaththaya
1982520Anuradha
1982521Jeewithayen Jeewithayakas Stunt coordinator
1983547SumithuroShare demander
1983550Yali Pipunu Malak
1983552Samuganimi Ma Samiyanias Stunt coordinator
1983554ChutteyHenchman
1983560Hasthi Viyaruwa
1983564Manik Maliga
1983567Samanala Sihinaas Stunt coordinator
1983568Chandi PatawGracien
1984578Mala GiraviPipe yard samaritan
1984579Kiri KawadiCyril
1984584Thaththai PuthaiKaru
1984589Bambara Patikki
1984593Sasara ChethanaNicholas
1984601Batti
1984607Birinda
1985619Puthuni Mata Samawenna
1985628Du Daruwo
1985631Sura Duthiyo
1985634Kirimaduwalas Stunt coordinator
1986643Maldeniye SimionWilson
1986646Koti Waligaya
1986647Poojaas Stunt coordinator
1986649DinumaPiyadasa aka Bottle Piya
1987660Kivulegedara MohottalaKiwuleygedera Mohottala
1987657Thaththi Man Adarei
1987662Kele KellaFighting logger
1987664Nommana EkaiWillie. as Stunt coordinator
1987665Raja WadakarayoDixon
1987666Randamwal
1987668Obatai Priye AdareHenchman
1988674Gedara Budun AmmaMr. Gajanayake
1988676Amme Oba Nisa
1988682Ko Hathuro
1989688Okkoma Rajawaru
1989691Nommara 17Wilson
1989690Shakthiya Obai Amme
1989693Waradata Daduwam
1990698Thanha AshaWillie
1990699Jaya Shakthi
1990704Hodin Naththam Narakin
1990707Pem Rajadahana
1990710Madu Sihina
1990712Christhu CharithayaLeft side thief
1990713Honda Honda SellamDon John
1990714Hitha Honda Puthek
1990715Hima Giri
1991718Paaradise
1991719Wada Barinam Wadak Na
1991721Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya
1991724Hithata Dukak Nathi Minisa
1991725Asai Bayai
1991729Esala Sanda
1991731Salambak Handai
1991735Ali Baba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1991736Dhanaya
1992742Ranabime Weeraya
1992747Bajar Eke Chandiya
1992751Ahimi Dadaman
1992752Malsara Doni
1992755Kiyala Wadak NaKapila's friend
1992758Okkoma Kanapita
1992760Oba Mata Wishwasai
1992762Suranimala
1992763Sathya
1992764Muwan Palesse Kadira
1992765Sinhayangeth SinhayaChula Gunathilaka
1993771Sargent NallathambiB. O. G. de Soysa
1993776Sasara Sarisaranathek Oba Mage
1993784Bambasara Bisaw
1993786Sandarekha
1993792Soora Weera ChandiyoWilson
1994796Ekada Wahi
1994797Jayagrahanaya
1994805Ahas Maliga
1994808Mawbime Weerayo
1994810Okkoma Hondatai
1994813Aathma
1995820Inspector GeethaDouglas
1995825Rodaya
1995822Vijay Saha Ajay
1995826Ira Handa Illa
1995827Pudumai Eth Aththai
1995829Wairayen Wairaya
1995830Demodara PalamaMaurice[22]
1995834Age WairayaRocky
1995837Edath Chandiya Adath ChandiyaDougie
1996845Api Baya NahaNayana abductor
1996851Sura Duruwo
1996852Veediye Weeraya
1996854Mana MohiniKira
1996858Hiru Sanduta Madi Wee
1996859Seema Pawuru
1996862Mal Hathai
1997873Soorayo Wadakarayo
1997879Viyaru Gaheniyak
1997888Ninja Sri Lanka
1998892Yuda Gini MadaWilson
1998895Sathutai Kirula Ape
1998900Girl Friend
1998903Age Wairaya 3Tony
1999910Salupata Ahasata
1999917Ayadimi SamaTikiri's father
2000935DadabimaBaladasa henchman. as Stunt coordinator[23]
2000936DanduwamaMervin
2000939Age Wairaya 4Bullet
2000944Pem Kekula[24]
2001950Oba Koheda PriyeWilson[25]
2001951Oba Magema Wewa
2002973Parliament JokesWalisundara[26]
20031002Vala In LondonGajasinghe[27]
20031015Sonduru DadabimaInspector Wimalasena[28]
20031016Yakada PihatuGal Somey[29]
20031017Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak[30]
20051051One ShotMinister Walisundara[31]
20051060Seethala Hadu
20071091Hai Master[32]
20081108Ali Pancha Mage Mithura[33]
20081117Nil Diya Yahanaas Stunt coordinator[34]
20111164Putha Mage Sooraya
20121173Vijaya KuweniChief of Yaksha clan[35]
20141208Ahelepola Kumarihami[36]
20141209Parapura[37]
20151219Bonikka[38]
20151224Sanjana
20191330Thiththa Aththa[39]
2022Rashmi[40]

References

  1. "Wilson Karunarathna". IMDb. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  2. "Robin Fernando selects best stuntnmen in the country". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  3. "Karu in Iraj video". Hiru FM. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  4. "Veteran actor Wilson Karu no more". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  5. "Kind Karu". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  6. "Wilson Karu bids farewell". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  7. "Veteran actor Wilson Karunaratne passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  8. "Talk with Wilson Karu". rategossip. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  9. "Wilson Karunarathna - විල්සන් කරුණාරත්න". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  10. "Villain of Sri Lankan cinema Wilson Karunaratne dies". colombogazette. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  11. "Veteran actor Wilson Karunaratne passes away". adaderana. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  12. "The story that Wilson Karu is telling now". Siyatha FM. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  13. "Veteran actor Wilson Karu speaks about the arrest". Hiru FM. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  14. "Veteran actor Wilson Karu arrested". Hiru FM. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  15. "Veteran actor Wilson Karunaratne passes away". Mawbima. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  16. "Let's bless Karu". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  17. "Sri Lankan Cinema History". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  18. "All about "Hithuwoth Hithuwamai"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  19. "All about Yakadaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  20. "Veera Puran Appu (1979)". IMDb. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  21. "පෙම් සිහින තොටින් 'කිඳුරු කුමාරි'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  22. "'Demodara Palama' in memory of Gamini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  23. "'Dadabima': story of tea and drugs". Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  24. "'Pem Kekula' goes back to a hilarious past". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  25. "'Oba Koheda Priye': Story of deceit and intrigue". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  26. "Ranjan's maiden effort". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  27. "එදා මෙදා තිරගත වූ සිංහල චිත්‍රපට". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  28. "Sonduru Dadabima". The Island. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  29. "Udayakantha flies with iron feathers". IMDb. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  30. "Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  31. "One Shot One". The Island. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  32. "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  33. "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  34. "Smooth Sailing". Daily News. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  35. "Vijaya Kuweni". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  36. "Controversial Ehelepola episode on the silver screen". The Sunday Observer. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  37. "Parapura". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  38. "Bonikka". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  39. "Thiththa Aththa - තිත්ත ඇත්ත". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  40. "Preethiraj is ready with RASHMI". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
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