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| Sunday, 4 December 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Vasanthi Chathurani : Reaching even greater heights by Umangi de Mel
She was as natural as the falling rain in Gehenu Lamai, a typical village girl with matching innocence and honesty... She did great justice to Kusum in the story by actually becoming the latter with amazing skill at the age of 15. The directors found their new star very gifted as they were quick to shower her with major roles. Expressing what could not be expressed in words, she became 'Nirmala' in Lester James Peiris' 'Ganga Addara'. There achieving the pinnacle of acting, she transformed herself into a school goer, a wife and a mentally ill person, all rolled up into one for which she undoubtedly deserved and thus bagged the award for best actress in the Sarasavi Film Awards and Best Actress - at the President's Awards, that year. Vasanthi Chathurani, the girl whose eyes did all the talking as she emerged through seasons of the film industry, looks both simple and indifferent. The 70's were more like the summer of her life, as she admits, that it brought her to the field with little confidence and promise for the future. "I was merely 15 when Sumithra Peiris spotted me as a school girl at Holy Cross Convent, Gampaha. My initial reaction to her question to act in a film underwent a drastic change when she told me that I was to act as 'Kusum' in Gehenu Lamai one of my favourite novels. My first day on the set would've been a diaster hadn't Sumithra been so nice and understanding and taught me how to hold on. The cameras the lights and the crowds totally freaked me out. This was way different from school dramas.
Hence, she forged ahead capturing the world around her with less talk and more deep, heart-stopping skill as a well-seasoned actress. Her natural looks didn't require a make-up artist, as she not only sounded but also looked all the roles that she's played ever since she stepped into the field. "The 70's was a good era for the film industry. I had to work under directors like Sumithra Peiris, Lester James Peiris, Dharmasiri Bandaranaike, Dharmasiri Pathiraja, Professor Sunil Ariyaratne, H. D. Premaratne, Daya Vimalaweera, and Milton Jayawardena. I felt so lucky as a novice, since I got many films, like Ganga Addara, Amal Biso, Adara Hasuna, Hansa Vilak, Parithyagaya, Avaragira, Siribo Aiya, Ayachana, Ahasin Polowata, Para Dige and many more, where I feel I've done justice to the characters that I played." After winning awards for both Gehunu Lamai and Ganga Addara Vasanthi's career came to a standstill when she got married. "I tied the knot in 1979 and sort of gave up my career. But came 1983, I got back and did Adara Hasuna under H. D. Premaratne." Her second coming to the cinema was kicked off with a great deal of enthusiasm and energy. Then, with time, her need to try out different roles grew. It was during that time that she got the break to work under Ananda Wickramasinghe in his film, Dinuma, "I was bored doing the same character, and wanted to take another step and do a commercial film as I felt a little restricted. Dinuma, Satana were two of my commercial films, but my fans didn't really like them as the type of character and film didn't bring out the best in me." Concealing a tinge of pride, the versatile actress continues, "My last film was Lester James Peiris' Wekanda Walauwa and yes, there was a good response." Her awards prove what she says, Vasanthi was nominated for the Best Tele Actress Sumathi Awards practically every year since 1995. In 1998, she bagged the best actress award after being awarded the most popular tele actress in 1997. She also got the SIGNIS Best Actress Award in 2003, together with Yasodha Wimaladharma. Having already made a name for herself in the film industry with sheer talent, Vasanthi made her mark on television with teledramas such as Maya Mandiraya, Iti Pahan, Giraya, Kadulla, Nil Manel, Yaso Mandiraya, Gajaman Puwatha. Aga Pipi Mal, Sedona and many more. 'Aga Pipi Mal' and 'Sedona' being her productions, Vasanthi touches her viewer deep where it's most sensitive especially in (Sumithra Rahubadda's) Aga Pipi Mal, a story that talks about the plight of a divorced mother. It's amazing how she makes the line between acting and reality look merely inches away."I like to produce teledramas but definitely good ones. 'Aga Pipi Mal' was popular, I think people like stories like that. Teledramas are anyway more popular than films. But as actors, we still prefer the cinema. It's a shame that they don't make good films now. I feel that it's a waste when so many good actors are just sitting at home while they can still give their best. I personally feel that I could do many fruitful roles if they were making good films." Giving her best to the masses through teledramas, Vasanthi became more popular than she's ever been in the field."The industry's the same although it's not like the 70's era, when it was booming. But I'm sure that there'll be a similar time in the future." Vasanthi points out that Sri Lanka lacks good script writers. She feels that the actors and actresses don't get the required training either, "It's a pity that we don't have drama schools in Sri Lanka. Our people have no opportunities to learn. True, not everybody can act but what's inborn can be improved if we had schools. The best part is, our actors gain knowledge solely by observation and through their own experience. Vasanthi talks about other loopholes in the cinema, "The new-comers lack good direction. They've no proper knowledge or experience which is why even with fame, some don't last in the field. The new comers apparently lack enough dedication too. You've got to be devoted to what you're doing to do it properly. Also, you should avoid imitating another person. It's your own style that counts at the end of the day. Admitting to be satisfied as an actress she's far from denying to be happy that she accepted Sumithra Peiris' invitation 30 years back. "The industry's been good to me and I'm quite content having gained things I've wanted. I didn't go to any drama school. I merely observed the characters around me in real life. To understand your role, you've got to be aware and very observant. Also as actors we should know to safeguard our name as well as the industry's name, before taking further steps." Hoping to do a teledrama called Ranga Soba of Sumithra Rahubadda in January, Vasanthi says she'd love to know how her fans like her character as Sedona. "We've got intelligent fans. It's because of them that we're here. My only hope is to give them good productions. And when I do teledramas, it allows me to associate with other actors and I make sure that I treat them well, because having been in their situation, I know how hard it could be..."
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| Produced by Lake House |
Blessed with a pair of expressive eyes and a flair for acting, her serene
nature is depicted even in her surroundings, and her presence remind one of
great strength and stamina. 
Thanks to people like Shyama Ananda and Ajith Jinadasa I adjusted with
time." 
