|
|
|
| Sunday, 26 February 2006 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Dancing and drama his Passion by Lakmal Welabada "My aim is to be the best actor in Sri Lanka," Suraj Mapa is bold and brave to disclose his dream... Adamant, but not-strong-headed,he is a humane young actor and is working towards his goal.
After playing the main role of 'Asanga', an English teacher who is filled with humanitarian qualities, helps innocent and poor children in a remote village - this was his act in the recent tele drama 'Oulu' (water lilies) telecast on Swarnawahini. after this performance, Suraj became the 'sweet heart' of many youngsters overnight. Refreshed after a shower and wearing a long sleeved white body-hugging T-shirt and a light brown trouser, the baby-faced heart throb began to reminisce his brief and interesting path. Suraj stepped out of Trinity College, Kandy after sitting for the A/Ls in the Commerce stream with the common fever of 'doing a job' . Meanwhile, his business-oriented parents who also knew their son's 'likes and dislikes' including what suited him the most, were thinking of establishing himself more. By that time Suraj had followed a computer diploma, but was not continuing his studies in the field of computer. Hence his parents arranged for him to follow a Hotel Management course at Hotel Zurich Park, Katugastota owned by his aunt. Even after completing the course successfully, Suraj still wanted to explore something novel and different. He was not satisfied with his experience to decide what exactly his career line was going to be. Both his elder sisters were very much into dancing. The eldest girl excelled in Bharatha and Kathak dancing while the second one succeeded in Bharatha and Kandyan dancing. Following this the young, adamant 'voyager' joined Kevin Nugera's Latin American dancing institute and learnt the basics. ... he simply loved it..! He felt dancing was something that was in him. Suraj mastered Latin American dancing under Neomi Rajaratnam and continued it to the peak until he won the championship in both categories - basics and freshers. "So dancing became my life partner," he beams. While all this was happening, offers to take part in teledramas began pouring on him as his name was nominated for the Sumathi Tele Award Festival in 2003 as the best up-coming actor for his very first appearance and the main role he did in 'Mage Sanda Oba'. So far Suraj has taken part in more than ten teles. Last year he won the Most Popular Actor's Award in the Raigam Tele Awards, giving more hopes for his fans that one day, Suraj Mapa would definitely make his dream a reality by being the 'Best Actor' in this country. His first appearance in filmdom was in two comedies of Roy De Silva - 'Clean Out' and 'Dana Rina Emathi'. Hence Suraj has yet to get more offers from the big screen. He looks forward to working under experienced film directors. Question - Don't you think that your naive and serious looks always offer you the role of the 'innocent-good-guy', and won't it be a disadvantage for your future? Answer-Well, one fact I would like to stress is that 'I am neither innocent nor serious'. (laughs) I live for today and believe that tomorrow never comes. So I complete my tasks today itself. And when it comes to acting, what I believe is that all the characters whether innocent, moderate, rough, young, adult or child is in you; in your soul. Acting is one's ability of pulling or dragging out each and every character from your ownself. Hence acting should not be a fake. Even while acting, we have to do it in reality. Then only we can produce the best. The young actor loves to browse the Internet and update his knowledge about the films all over the world, and read film magazines excessively. Whether western, eastern, Hindustani or Sinhalese Suraj goes for any romantic song. Amaradeva, Rukantha, Kasun Kalhara, Nadeeka Guruge, T. M. Jayaratne, Deepika Priyadarshani, Uresha Ravihari and Nanda Malini are among his favourite local vocalists. Khemadasa is his best musician. He is addicted listening to meditative music like Irish and Greek melodies, especially when he is driving. Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony are among his western favourites. Though he is not confident about his vocal talents, Suraj loves operas, and enjoys watching ballets. Paintings depict human psychology such as hysteria and schizophrenia are among modern art that he relishes. Suraj who had enjoyed his school days right along with his inborn skills for cricket, swimming and acting followed workshops for stage and film artistes under Mahendra Perera and Anoja Weerasinghe. 'East of Eden' (in Sinhala - 'Sathpurushayo Asathva Dakithva'), the newest teledrama in which he got the chance to perform a different role under a French Director, Sami Powel, might provide him more promising openings and newer opportunities in his career. Suraj enjoys peer association, but is choosy in selecting friends. "I have a lot of friends, but of them I have chosen only those with humanitarian quakities. Suraj says his parents, sisters, 'Punchi Amma' (mother's sister), friends, fans and everybody who has assisted him in his career should be offered his salutation equally. However, he doesn't conceal his personal life and smiles when asked
about his love life. Definitely there will be somebody who will win his
heart and love as he is loaded with love messages from the fairer sex from
all over the country. And may be far away from our shores as well... who
knows? |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
