Faces behind the ‘Clapper Board’
Podcasts are gaining popularity around the world owing to its ability for users to download or stream audio files that can be played at a listener’s convenience, anytime or anywhere. Podcasters usually focus on specific topics to talk on for hours at a time. Usually politics, fashion, music or even murder mysteries.
Sri Lanka’s first ever podcast platform PodHUB is offering listerners some well curated audio content from professionals, enthusiasts and creators. Personalities such as Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala and Johann Peiris, Ajai Vir Singh and Hisham Cader have been featured on the platform as well.
When it comes to discussing films on the PodHUB, friends Aman Ashraff and Lasitha Gunawardana have taken the lead with their chemistry and multiple mutual interests through the ‘Clapper Board.’ The dynamic duo admit that the corporate world know of them more for their professional roles than their prowess in movies. Aman as Managing Director and Executive Creative Director of Ashraff Associates, and Lasitha as General Manager at Prym.
As the voices behind the Podcast ‘The Clapper Board’ listeners are exposed to an unadulterated expose on the good, the bad and the ugly in the world of cinema.
First approached by Riyaz Shah Jahan better known as ‘Shaq’ to the public to host a podcast, Aman pondered as to what he should focus on. Quickly realising movies was some- thing he could talk about for hours on end, he dragged in Lasitha into it and the rest was history.
Calling themselves the two old grumpy muppet characters, Statler and Waldorf the ones who are known for their cantankerous opinions Aman and Lasitha share that
they just give their plain honest thoughts of a movie they’ve decided to review.
“We both have other commitments, so it’s very hard to find the time for this and usually it is all very spontaneous.’ The podcast is a simple hobby for them to share their passion for movies.
Going back to a time of dial-up internet, screeching modems and waiting years for a movie to be released in Sri Lanka, Aman and Lasitha admit that talking about movies for a podcast is easy because films have an universal appeal. “It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t like movies,” adds Lasitha.
“We both share very similar traits in that we are very old school. We are both Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren and Arnold schwarzenegger fans,” they laugh. Growing up with movies and shows like Rambo, Kojack, Knight Rider and the Manics the two know their way around the show-stopping films and the abysmal ones.
“More than that we are mercilessly non-politically correct. We thrive on having a very dry sense
of wit,” says Aman of their unique style. A humorous pair that say it like they see it, no holds
barred.