Without our knowledge, permission or nod, cancer starts growing, like a gnawing arthropod. In a few days’ the cellular clump becomes a tumour – a sizeable lump. Living with hope and coping with uncertainty has become the maxim in the life of many a soul who are engaged in the daily battle with an unseen enemy – cancer.
This terminal disease has been on the raise in the past few years, striking individuals in the least expected moments and tearing apart lives. There is no greater sorrow than helplessly watching a loved one slowly breaking or fading away, eaten by this disease.
Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake is someone who had faced and lived through such an experience. She had been a pillar of strength to her sister, Indira, when she had battled with this terminal disease. A courageous young mother, Indira passed away at 40 years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She was pregnant with her second child then and deferred treatment till her son was born. Determined to survive for the sake of her children and being the fighter she was, she never gave up hope or changed her ebullient personality. However, sadly she lost her life to cancer in 2016.
This heartbreaking story is now visualised on the big screen by director Sanjeewa Pushpakumara. Known for productions like ‘Burning Birds’ and ‘Flying Fish’ and dealing with themes like social and political issues, this movie takes him along unfamiliar territories. Titled ‘ASU’ the film is based on Indira’s courageous tale.
“My aim is to showcase an inspirational tale of resilience, courage, and an unwavering spirit in the face of a challenging and often devastating disease like cancer. Through this I wish to touch the humane side of the spectators,” Pushpakumara said.
The movie script had been penned by Pushpakumara and his wife, Sangeetha Nilnadee Godagama.
“It was a task indeed to incorporate cinematic elements into a true story. Therefore, we did not base the incidents of the film on Indira’s story alone. We did research and got information from several other women who were cancer patients,” he noted adding that this is a feature film, not a documentary. Therefore, to make the production cinematically enticing, Sanjeewa did certain changes to dramatise the story without harming its origin.
“For example, in real life Indira is a graduate in economics and had served in senior positions at several leading financial institutions. However, in ‘ASU’ the protagonist, Nelum, is a painter. Her husband is a musician. Nevertheless, I haven’t adjusted Indira’s social and cultural ideologies and perceptions. She is one of a kind. The sacrifice she made is exceptional,” he said.
Challenges
There were many challenges that the team faced when they took on this mammoth project. From writing the script to doing research and finding the most appropriate narrative to bring forth the tale, each and every day had brought new hurdles their way. The film was also shot amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, shooting was paused due to the lockdown.
“The biggest challenge was handled by the makeup department. We had to do so many prosthetics make up. That took so long – sometimes around 10 hours per day! Our makeup expert Narada Dananji Thotagamuwa did an exceptional job,” he said.
Nelum, the protagonist of the film, is portrayed by the charming Udari Warnakulasooriya. Unfurling her ideas on her powerful performance Udari said that one thing she had to keep in mind consistently was to stick to Indira’s personality and characteristics while acting.
Some of the key players behind ‘UnVeil’
“That was my biggest challenge as I had to imitate a real-life character. I believe that I have done justice to the role and I am thankful to the director for choosing me to give life to this character. I dedicated a lot of my time and effort to get into the skin of the character. I paid several visits to the cancer hospital and was with the cancer patients while they were given chemotherapy. I witnessed their emotions, trauma and how their bodies became weak with the treatments.
It was so moving to witness how these people hid their true emotions in front of their family and loved ones. They would shed tears quietly when they were alone. My personal make up artiste’s mother was struck with cancer during this period. Therefore, I got the opportunity to take care of her too,” she said adding that all these experiences helped her to shape Nelum’s character.
Udari adds that she could not have done the character so realistically without Thotagamuwa’s expertise.
“He changed the glamorous Nelum gradually into the fragile and suffering character through several stages via his makeup expertise. The whole team needs to be commended for the output. Everyone from the director to the cast and crew backed me,” she added.
Since the film began screening, ‘ASU’ has received a lot of positive feedback. Many have been curious and are eager to watch it.
“I am really happy about the response that the production had gotten so far and hope that it will continue. I am grateful to former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, his daughter Dr.Lanka, and the Indira Cancer Trust for the tremendous support I got and for trusting in my capabilities,” Pushpakumara said.
One of the most important factors in connection with the creation of ‘ASU’ was that it was not driven by profit or financial gains. The entire film was dramatised to emphasise the central aspect of a mother’s love.
Recalling some of her most treasured moments with her sister, Dr. Lanka notes that Indira’s journey was a source of inspiration not only for her family but for everyone who knew her. Bringing her story to the screen was an opportunity to share her strength and determination with a broader audience, offering hope and motivation to individuals and families dealing with similar challenges.
ASU Director Sanjeewa Pushpakumara
“Through ‘ASU,’ we aimed to raise awareness about the profound impact of cancer on patients, their families, and society at large. While ‘ASU’ is not an exact retelling of my sister Indira’s story, it stands as a tribute to her strength and serves as a platform to shed light on the cancer journey. It conveys a powerful message of hope, strength, and the importance of a mothers love for a child,” she said.
Queried on which scene in the movie that moved her emotionally, Dr. Lanka adds that it is undoubtedly the final scene.
“Having watched ‘ASU’ five times, the closing scene continues to affect me deeply. It’s an experience that evokes very vivid memories of a heartbreaking event that transpired in a hospital room nearly seven years ago.The scene portrays my sister with our family, and particularly, my father holding her hand. This depiction is exceptionally difficult for me to watch, as it brings back the raw emotions and recollections of our time in that hospital room. Losing a sister was an incredibly difficult experience, but witnessing my father lose his daughter was something beyond comprehension. The raw emotions and the palpable pain captured in this scene make it incredibly challenging to endure,” she said with a touch of emotion.
UnVeil
Cancer is all-consuming, draining one mentally, physically, emotionally and financially. Therefore, many treat the news of being diagnosed with cancer as a death sentence and tend to refrain from or postpone living. The latest project launched by Indira Cancer Trust is ‘UnVeil’. This project encourages cancer patients to achieve one of their greatest wishes in life – a dream wedding. Hence, though they may be diagnosed with the disease and are receiving treatment, they can still have the wedding of their dreams aided by some of the top bridal designers and beauty experts in the industry.
Though this might seem like a wedding package at first glance, the specialty about ‘UnVeil’ lies in the fact that it is especially put together to cater to the needs of cancer patients. For instance, the wedding attire can be occupied with a veil that covers the head. Especially designed breast pads may be inserted too. Specialised make up is used to create natural eyebrows and eye lashes for those who have lost them due to the ongoing treatments. In addition to all this, discounts are also provided for all the essential wedding services.
Speaking about how ‘UnVeil’ came to be unveiled Dr Lanka said that the decision stemmed from their extensive work with cancer patients, during which they identified a prevalent issue – fear instilled by a cancer diagnosis.
“Particularly concerning was the observation that many individuals, especially the youth, chose not to marry or hid from the public after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Such a diagnosis has a profound impact on a person’s life, significantly influencing their perspective on relationships and marriage. One of the major concerns we uncovered was the fear, stigma, and apprehensions associated with maintaining relationships and meeting societal expectations post-diagnosis.
Additionally, cancer treatments often alter one’s physical appearance, leading to heightened concerns about body image and self-esteem, subsequently influencing decisions related to marriage and public visibility.The emotional distress, anxiety, and depression that accompany a cancer diagnosis present another significant challenge. These mental health struggles can drastically affect an individual’s decision to enter into relationships or get married,” she expressed.
Thus ‘UnVeil’ was envisioned as a platform that, through showcasing real-life stories and experiences, could dispel myths, reduce stigma, and increase awareness about cancer and its profound impact on personal and social aspects of life. The project stands as a collaborative effort, brought to life by numerous esteemed partners in the wedding industry, all unified by a shared belief in this important cause.
‘UnVeil’ was formally launched at the Designer Bridal Wedding Show in March with the primary objective of creating awareness among suppliers offering services to couples with upcoming weddings. Tasting success from its inception, ‘UnVeil’ roped in over 40 suppliers by the time they took part in the second Bride and Groom Wedding Show.
“Now, as we have a substantial network of suppliers, our focus has shifted to advocating for and creating broader awareness about ‘UnVeil.’ We want to ensure that anyone seeking our services is aware of the platform and feels encouraged to approach us. We call out to anyone who has cancer and wish to get married and need some help to reach out to us,” Dr Lanka said.
Both male and female cancer patients are eligible for ‘UnVeil’. All they need to do is present their cancer reports for verification to the trust.
Milestones
For Dr. Lanka, her journey with Indira Cancer Trust has been both challenging and rewarding. She says that she often experiences a mix of emotions when she reflects on the milestones they have passed.
‘Suwa Arana’ – a place for healing
“On one hand, witnessing the resilience and courage of those affected by cancer is truly inspiring. Their strength and determination in facing such a difficult disease serves as a reminder of the importance of the work we do at the Indira Cancer Trust. It reaffirms our belief in the power of support, education, and advocacy in the fight against cancer.However, it’s impossible to overlook the pain and suffering that cancer inflicts upon individuals and their families.
The emotional toll it takes is profound, motivating us to redouble our efforts in improving cancer care, providing support, and advocating for better awareness and prevention strategies.Our work at Indira Cancer Trustaims to make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by cancer, whether through financial assistance, emotional support, or raising awareness. Looking back on this journey, we take pride in the progress we’ve made, but we also acknowledge the ongoing need to do more to alleviate the burden of cancer and enhance the quality of life for those facing this challenging diagnosis,” she said.
First paediatric palliative care centre
Four months ago, Indira Cancer Trust proudly inaugurated Sri Lanka’s first paediatric palliative care centre, ‘Suwa Arana.’ Currently, they remain deeply involved in fine-tuning the centre’s activities to ensure optimal functionality and impact.
“Indira Cancer Trust prioritises quality over quantity. Our paramount focus is on how effectively we can serve patients and their families. We are committed to maintaining consistent, high-quality service across all our projects. In the eyes of the community, we are recognised as a ‘one-stop shop’ for cancer-related support, offering all our services to patients and families entirely free of charge.
In our continuous pursuit of maintaining and enhancing the quality of service in everything we do; our next significant project involves the acquisition of a mobile mammography machine. This project has been in discussion for the past six years, and we are eager to bring it to fruition. The mobile mammography machine will play a crucial role in extending breast cancer screening services to more communities, enhancing early detection efforts and ultimately saving lives,” Dr. Lanka stressed.
Growing up knowing her sister all these years, what kind of response does Dr. Lanka imagine Indira would have given after seeing all the hard work that Indira Cancer Trust has done today?
“I’ve always been struck by her exceptional qualities of kindness and empathy. Losing her at such a young age was incredibly difficult, and her absence has left a void in our lives. Life often throws unexpected challenges our way, and her story has served as a driving force for the support we provide to many. Reflecting on the work we have done today; I believe my sister would have been awed and profoundly moved. Witnessing the support mechanisms and assistance available now, she would have been overjoyed. I can imagine her immense happiness and her strong belief in the power of compassion and support. I often discuss this with my father, using it as a source of comfort and solace in our journey of coping with her loss,” she added.
