Alston Koch, an Australian entertainer born in Sri Lanka, has diversified his career by working as a singer-songwriter, film producer, record producer, actor, humanitarian, and global ambassador. Recently, he was appointed as the Commonwealth Union Envoy to Australia and the Pacific Region.
Koch has also received much acclaim in cinema circles, relating to his role in the Lankan-Australian crime thriller According to Matthew. His chilling portrayal of Father Matthew Peiris, a priest convicted of double murder in one of Sri Lanka’s most sensational cases, earned him the Best Actor award at the SIGNIS Film Awards, establishing his place as a serious actor alongside his successful musical career.
Directed by veteran filmmaker Chandran Rutnam, the core of According to Matthew is comprised of dark themes of murder, lust, and betrayal.The film is based on the infamous “murder in the vicarage” of the 1870s, where an Anglican priest, Father Matthew Pereira, along with his mistress, Dalrene Ingram, had been accused of the double murder of their spouses. The case shocked Sri Lanka due to both its brutality and the involvement of a member of the clergy.
The film recaptures the tension and secrecy of the time, drawing on court records and press reports as well as personal interviews.
Taking on the role of Father Matthew was no simple task. For Alston Koch, who rose to fame in the 1970s as “Asia’s King of Pop,” this role marked a major departure from his musical stage persona. Nevertheless, Rutnam admitted in an interview with the Daily Mirror that Koch’s profound knowledge of Christianity and his ability to embody complex characters made him the natural choice for the lead.
Speaking about the experience, Koch described the filming process as “eerie,” sharing that he often felt as if the presence of Father Matthew watched his every move on set. He also credited his co-star Jacqueline Fernandez for inspiring him during challenging scenes, particularly those that required him to explore the priest’s darker, manipulative side.
Koch’s layered performance was a vital element of the film’s impact, as he presented the contradictions of Father Matthew—a clergyman who also engaged in forbidden and sinister practices. The SIGNIS Best Actor award was a recognition of his successful embodiment of the character, which made audiences feel both the priest’s disarming charisma and his chilling moral downfall.
Director Chandran Rutnam had carried the story with him for decades, having his ties to the incident. A personal friend of Father Matthew, Rutnam had even been approached by the priest while he was imprisoned, urging him to make a film to prove his innocence. Though Rutnam hesitated to carry through with the priest’s request, he shelved the idea for years, until it resurfaced 25 years later when he and Koch revisited the case.
“It was Alston’s ability and his Biblical knowledge that convinced me,” Rutnam explained in the interview. “This film is not an attack on the church but a retelling of a true story. The Catholic Church itself clarified it had no involvement, since the case concerned a Protestant priest. What we presented is based purely on official records and my personal insights.”
Despite the film taking nearly three years to complete due to logistical challenges, it eventually premiered in 2018, drawing both controversy and curiosity. Sri Lankan audiences, particularly the older generation who remembered the trial, flocked to theaters, while younger audiences were drawn to its gripping narrative.
According to Matthew, it was also prepared for release in international markets, including in the United States, Europe, and India, where screenings in regional languages were planned. Rutnam believed the film’s universal themes—forbidden love, betrayal, and crime—gave it appeal far beyond Sri Lanka.
The film’s success added to Alston Koch’s already glittering career. Widely celebrated as a singer across Asia and Australia, Koch has been recognized not just for his music but also for his humanitarian work. He has served as Ambassador for Sri Lanka Tourism and Ambassador for Climate Change (I.C.T.P.) and has received commendations from the California State Senate and U.S. Congress.
Alston Koch’s portrayal of Father Matthew Peiris stands out as a pivotal moment in his career, showcasing his exceptional range as a performer.
Rutnam summed it up best: “This film is a narrative of a true story that gripped the nation in the seventies. With Alston’s performance and Jacqueline’s portrayal, we have created a film that will appeal to audiences worldwide.”
