Rowla Lewis: Amazing ‘discovery’ of BLACK

Rowla Lewis: Amazing ‘discovery’ of BLACK
By gasper crasto

It’s clear that a lot of the film's epitome rests on the presence of its female stars. The screen presence of Rowla Lewis, one of the Mangalore-ian artistes to feature in ‘BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion’ – the Konkani E-Cinema set for release on August 10, 2007 at Masrah, Hawalli Auditorium, will definitely leave the audience awestruck.

The young, angelic face is one stars of the movie having some catchy scenes. She is one of the most amazing ‘discovery’ of the film along with many other non-professionals artistes.

Coming from a family with original roots in Udupi - Mangalore, Rowla was born in Kuwait, studied at Kuwait’s Carmel School and later graduated from Manipal College of Management, Mangalore. She is currently working for Carrier Kuwait Air-conditioning Est.

About her role in the movie, Rowla says, “I always liked the idea of acting out characters from books that I'd read…It's one of those things where you read books and think, 'I'd love to play this part.' And you actually get to do it. That's pretty surreal for me. To tell about my role would kill the surprise. Watch BLACK to find out...Shhhh... Nothing to tell! Forget my role, watch the movie, it should keep everyone riveted to their seats!”

Talking about the shooting of BLACK, the actress says, “Initially, it was intimidating to be a part of the movie with established actresses such as Gracy Morais, Querobina and others. I was so nervous on the first day of my shoot!.. But then everyone was so nice, and immediately they made me feel really comfortable which allowed me to be myself.”

Rowla further adds, “There were some really funny moments on the sets which I cherish. I recall we had to shoot a sad scene which had to be done at least 8 times because none of the cast was serious – someone or the other would crack out a smile or would be seen controlling hard to hold a laugh which made everyone else to burst out laughing! The main cast involved in this scene were so agitated by this that some of them had quirky faces by the time the final ‘take’ was done. T-Bush kept telling us to be serious and NOT to laugh, but..... even he could not stop laughing even when others were dead serious..”

Born and brought up in Kuwait, and used to speaking English in all spheres of life, Rowla has delivered her dialogues in a fluent Konkani dialect. “Although I did little rehearsals on the sets, I was able to deliver my dialogues with perfect ease. I wish to be a role model to the new generation in speaking our language which ultimately identifies us to our culture and native place of origin.”

Speaking about the director of BLACK, Rowla says, “T-Bush is unique as a person - calm, steady and focused -- a strong magnetic personality and awfully nice to deal with - constantly encouraging the cast members especially during trying times of the shoot. To keep control of 20 to 25 artistes at one time and draw the best out of them is in itself a great achievement for a director.”

On her message to the Konkani speaking masses around the world, the little actress says, “All Konkani speaking people should patronize the movie wherever it is screened. This way, young filmmakers like T-Bush will get more encouragement to explore further into their creativity... Anyway, I am sure people who watch this movie would demand T-Bush make another Konkani film immediately!”

On her personal expectations from BLACK, Rowla says, “I have not taken this opportunity to appear in the film as a path to 'fame'. I would love to continue acting in future for the sole purpose of promoting our language and amusing others!”

Her ultimate fantasy, however, is not so eclectic. "It would be like a dream if I got to act in Hindi films," she exclaims. And that, along with the continuing break to act in good roles, just may boost this young girl to legend status.

More detail on the main characters in the film and their role will be presented in these pages to keep readers engaged and fully in tune running down to the release. For more on T-Bush International films log on to http://www.t-bush.com Email: films@t-bush.com
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FACT FILE: ROWLA LEWIS

Birth Date: March 30
Place of birth: Kuwait
Debut Acting: "Black "
Favorite movie: "Perfect Stranger" , "Gotika"
Favorite actress: Halle Berry
Favorite Actor: Will Smith
Favorite Director: Only T-Bush
Favorite hobby: I am a voracious reader!
Favorite website: www.esnips.com
Favorite book: The Prophet
Favorite author: Khalil Gibran

More on BLACK:
Crowning of 'Comedy Queen Querobina'

Black: Braz de Parra composes songs with danceable beat riffs

Lead actress of Black - Gracy Morais Speaks

'Black' film shot in Kuwait set for release

Goan Memories of 2nd August...--Part II

Part II

2nd of August this year will be 17th anniversary of the brutal invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi regime under its dictator Saddam Hussein. Along with all others residing in Kuwait in 1990, 2nd August, a huge Goan community comprising around 25 thousand were also caught unaware.

The initiative for the formation of Goa-Kuwait Solidarity center was purely my brainwork, my means the brainchild of a Konknnivadi and that too a Romivadi and it was supported by all my Romi Konknnivadi colleagues who as usual backed me up to move ahead. My first proposal was to call a meeting of like minded Goans in Goa to inform them of this idea and accordingly a public meeting was called on 3rd November 1990 of Kuwait evacuees thru media announcement and it was held in Panjim at T.B. Cunha Hall where about 100 Goans only attended when there were thousands available in Goa. All supported my idea and we took a decision to organize a Morcha – Rally – on the streets in Panjim on 12th November 1990. When this Morcha was finally organized, it was attended only by hundreds - Not Thousands - of Kuwait evacuee Goans when regretfully overwhelming majority numbering around 10 thousands especially those earning fat salaries in the Banks, KOC, KPC, KNPC, KAC and other lucrative sectors did not join us. For most of them the issue of Kuwait was like a gone case, Kuwait will not be liberated and as such what was the use of coming on to the streets in support of the liberation of Kuwait?

Overwhelming majority of female Kuwait evacuees refused to join us because by coming on to the streets in a show of public demonstration was lowering their prestige, many of them felt it was like a shame for them but they never felt ashamed when they flirted like whores and concubines in Kuwait with Tom – Harry & Dick for the sake of money, honey and promotions to gain more benefits Many of these females if at all they received little importance in life it was only because they were working in Kuwait. Otherwise who cared them in life and in Goa? Out of over 10 thousand male and female Kuwait returnees hardly a thousand attended our Rally in support of Kuwait, the country that fed us, the country that gave us employment, the country that gave us identity in life and the country that gave us so many benefits in life. To turn our back to Kuwait at this juncture was really an act of ingratitude and betrayal. It was an un-Goan act.

Most of the Goans holding good jobs especially in lucrative sectors were having very pitiable economic and social status in Goa but they have improved their ratings only after coming to Kuwait. Yet they failed to recognise the positive impact Kuwait has created on their personal lives. One thing I noticed in such people that for the sake of money they will do anything, even they would lick the boots of Saddam Hussein because back home in Goa they starved of money. Hence, their over craze and over consciousness for money. When the Banking sector employees after the invasion of Kuwait were called to resume their duties, amongst others Goans also rushed instead of rejecting this offer, as a mark of protest against the invasion of Kuwait..

In pre-invasion period in Kuwait there were so many prominent Goans and prominent Goan Associations and Clubs but the moment they were evacuated free of charge by the Government of India they all or at least majority of them went into deep and long sleep like Rip Van Winkle. That they went into deep sleep I came to know only when they failed to participate in our meetings and in our first Rally on 12th November 1990 in Pajim, Goa, all organized for the cause of Kuwait. We needed financial and other help of all to promote our activities but those who minted money from Kuwait they remained at home. The millionaires who made millions in Kuwait like Avertano Furtado never even bothered to show his solidarity with the suffering Kuwait by associating with us. Mr. A. B. Fernandes the General Manager of Bahar Shipping and a prominent Goan figure in Kuwait was totally absent from our movement even though he made fortune by working in Kuwait for about 30 years and earned name and fame for him.

Prominent Goan figures in Kuwait like Vincente D’Souza who has done so much for the cause of Goa and Goans from Kuwait and who was considered as one of the leaders of Kuwait Goan community refrained from supporting our movement. Blandino Viegas the President of Kuwait Indian Football Federation not only not joined us but it looked he considered our support to Kuwait as against the interest of India. UG President, Kuwait Goan Association President, the major portion of Kuwait Tiatrists were nowhere closer to us. Some of the current leading and noise making in the media Tiatrists in Kuwait Goa Tiatristanchi Sonvstha were sleeping at home. Overwhelming majority of Goans involved in soccer at Sour Grounds showed their deslike for our movement in support of Kuwait. Some of those who are making a big show now at Sour Grounds including some referees like Sarto Batista and Bernardo were then Goa based Goans but they were not sucking the breast of their mothers, they were grown up and matured. Still they never supported us. They want Kuwait only to make money and not to support Kuwait when Kuwait was in need of it. Most of the prominent persons in Kuwait Goan Clubs and Kuwait Goan Associations have totally failed to show their open support to Kuwait.

Likewise so many well known and prominent Goans who were and still making a big show of them in Kuwait in one way or the other not only refused to support Kuwait by joining us but many of them opposed me in particular for organizing this movement as if by supporting Kuwait openly I am committing an anti-Kuwait act. Regretfully and unfortunately, most of the people involved in the Kuwait Church affairs and Church Circle have showed their negative attitude to Kuwait by remaining aloof from Goa Kuwait Solidarity Center in Goa. I thought they would show their big heartedness which they must have gained in the Church circle, by associating with us. But no, they turned out to be ungratefuls not only to Kuwait but even to God. Generally speaking many times people associating in Church affairs are most dangerous. Worst of cruelties and ingratitudes are committed by them only and yet they act like Saints. For this reason, one must believe in one principle "beware of the Pujari".

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

To be concluded.

Goan Memories of 2nd August...!

Goan Memories of 2nd August...!

Goan Memories of 2nd August...!

Goan Memories of 2nd August...!

Goan Memories of 2nd August...!

Goan Memories of 2nd August...!

Part I

2nd of August this year will be 17th anniversary of the brutal invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi regime under its dictator Saddam Hussein. Along with all others residing in Kuwait in 1990, 2nd August, a huge Goan community comprising around 25 thousand were also caught unaware.

Goan community is one of the expatriate communities in Kuwait that gained so much from Kuwait. As a gratitude it was our duty to stand by Kuwait during its critical time. Hence, after returning back in October 1990 from invaded Kuwait, when all others failed to accept the responsibility inspite of holding responsible positions in Kuwait to lead Kuwait Goan evacuees, I came forward. And with the usual co-operation of my close associates I took an initiative to form Goa-Kuwait Solidairity Center to raise Goan voice by organising Public Meetings and Rallies against the invasion of Kuwait and in support of the liberation of Kuwait. By forming Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center movement we again proved that we were capable of rising to any intellectual height.

I am a Konknnivadi and that too a proud Romivadi. My contribution for the cause of Konkani is second to none amongst the expatriate Goans spread all around the globe. Why amongst Goans only? I feel most probably none in the expatriate Konkani world has done what I have done. Amongst the expatriates, the biggest initiatives for the greater good of Goan World and Konkani World have been taken by me. Why biggest initiatives only? I have also supported biggest causes for the good of Goa, Goans and Konkani. Why I was successful in such decisions? Because my colleagues and supporters were very strong and they stood by me thru thick and thin till success was achieved. I feel proud that a Konknnivadi like me with the backing of all our Konknni supporters could move ahead and at a faster pace.

When I first came to Kuwait the semi literate, the intellectually bankrupt, the socially backward and all who suffered inferiority complex in life because of their intellectually poor family background were having poor opinion of Konknni and Konknnivadis. In me, in my colleagues and in my supporters they all found their opinions wrong and we proved to all of them that they were nothing in front of our intellectual might, knowledge, sincerity and dedication. We the genuine Konknnivadis proved our poor opponents that we are capable of doing wonders and in fact we did for the cause of our community. If at all Konknnivadis were looked down by some it was and it is because of the shabby nature of some of our Konknnivadis who are bringing Konknni into disrepute. We do not fall into their category.
One of the major achievements of our initiatives was the establishment of GOA - KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER in Goa during the invasion of Kuwait. G-KSC was established in Goa on 3rd November 1990 to raise our voice against the invasion of Kuwait by the brutal Iraqi regime under the leadership of its dictator Saddam Hussein. The invasion of Kuwait was a big blow to all of us. It took place on 2nd August 1990. I was caught by the Iraqi soldiers early in the morning on that fateful Thursday below my building at 6.30 A.M. when I was going to work. I never knew Iraqi Military has already occupied Kuwait city.

I could not believe my eyes when I saw the soliders manning the Kuwait city streets were really Iraqis. I could not accept the reality when I saw two Iraqi soldiers entering the Maliya Police Station by kicking the main door. On the road the entire vehicular traffic came to an abrupt halt. The Iraqi soldiers with gunpoint were pulling the drivers of the cars, buses and other vehicles out of their seats living the engines on only.

Till previous night everything seemed to be moving in right direction for Kuwait and suddenly in the next morning one comes to know that Kuwait was invaded by Iraq? Rubbish!! Unbelievable!! How can this be possible especially when Kuwait is a brotherly country, brotherly in race, religion, culture and tradition? Even though I noticed fully the invading troops of Iraq yet my mind was not admitting that Iraq has invaded Kuwait because in normal circumstances it is not possible to happen since both Iraq and Kuwait are members of UNO, Arab League and NAM which all forbid settling of bilateral disputes through the use of force. But Saddam Hussein and his Cabinet made mockery of all these great organizations established to prevent invasion of one country by the other.

Saddam Hussein, it looked, said to these organizations which came into being after the II World War, go to hell with your strictures and constitutions, I will do what I want. And in fact he did what he wanted to do. He did not even pay little respect for Organisation of Islamic Conference that prohibits use of force by a member country against another Muslim member country. Kuwait and Iraq are members of OIC. By invading Kuwait, Iraq a Muslim country hurt the sanctity of the edicts of OIC.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

To be concluded. ...