Pallavi Subash, the lead actress of movie ‘Yashodhara’, was honoured last Friday (12) at the Annual Gala Dinner and Awards nights of SAFAL 2018 in Sydney, Australia, for her contribution to the film.
South Asian Forum Inc (ASAF) supported by the Commonwealth Department of Communication & the Arts, City of Ryde and Macquarie University, presented the South Asian Film Arts & Literature Festival 2018 (SAFAL Fest) in Ryde, Sydney.
SAFAL Fest is unique by being the only festival to showcase the rich and diverse art, performance and literary heritage of the dynamic eight nations of South Asia, on a single platform. Its objective is to make a positive contribution to the multicultural diversity and harmony between all Australians through engagement, discovery and collaboration. A host of international and local artists, media, dignitaries and companies adds to the vibrancy and outreach of the festival, spanning towards domestic and international audiences.
Many dignitaries including State Minister of Finance Mr. Victor Dominello (Representing Premire Gladys Berejiklian), Mr. Daniel Mookhey, member of legislative Council, John Alexandar, Federal Member for Bennelong, Mr. Lal Wickrematunga, and the Sri Lankan Consul General for Australia were presented at SAFAL 2018.
Pallavi Subash, the lead actress of the Sri Lankan Film ‘Yashodhara’, directed by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne and Produced by H.D. Premasiri, was honoured and presented the Distinguished Achievement Award at the Gala Dinner and Awards night for her contribution to the film.
Pallavi is the only Marathi actress who has worked in not only all south Indian languages such as Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada but also in Sinhala language. Pallavi Subhash portrayed each of characters with ease. She’s disarmingly warm and dignified as Dharma in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat and bagged the Golden Petal Award in 2016 for the same. She had been nominated several times for her wonderful portrayals and earned the most prestigious Dadasaheb Phalake Award and the Golden Petal Award. The SAFAL 2018 award is her first award for a Sri Lankan film.
“We are delighted to have Pallavi Subash. The film has received fantastic response and it’s certainly being a super hit at the festival. We are delighted that Pallavi Subash received the Distinguished Achievement award for her contribution” said Ash Gholkar, Chairperson of the SAFAL 2018.
Number of Media & Literature awards were also presented to well known local and international icons. Distinguished Achievement award for Media (Journalism) was presented to senior media person Yogesh Pawar, editor Daily News and Analysis (DNA) of India’s Zee Media Group. Two Sri Lankans were also among the recipients of the Distinguished Awards at the festival. Kithsiri Karunaratne, a well known media personal in Sydney, received the Distinguished Achievement award for his contribution for Media & Entertainment in Australia. Prisila Godahewa received a Distinguished Achievement award for her contribution to literature. She recently published her 8th book named ‘Jaffnadharaya’ in both Sinhala and English Languages.
The film ‘Yashodhara’ was submitted to the festival by the Australian film distribution company Lanka Events as part of its commitment to promote Sri Lankan Cinema in the mainstream Australian cinema. Pallavi Subash’s Australian visit was sponsored by Lanka Vision in association with Sarasavi films and GLUUOO, a division of the Derana media network.
Photograph: Lakshan Sangakkara
