Cambrian stars

All children have their own unique talents; some are good at singing, some at dancing and some at handicraft. Today, on this day dedicated to children, we feature two child stars, who have already made their mark on the silver screen. Maybe, their stories will encourage you too to make the best of your hidden talents...

A talent for acting

Sirimal's father, who is a boat rider, has been kidnapped. Sirimal is trying hard to find him, and at last, he gets to know that his father is no longer alive. This in brief is the story of the film 'Uduganyamaya', which most of you must have watched or at least heard about.

Today, we are not going to tell you about the film; rather, we are introducing you to the little boy Sirimal or Mauli Dushmantha Ferdinando. Mauli was just 11 years old when he acted in this film. Now, he is a handsome teenager, who is doing his G.C.E O/L examination this year.

"When I was in Grade three, I got the chance of taking part in the stage drama 'Diyen gena gini', directed by my father. This was my first drama, and it became the best children's drama in 1997 at the Children's Drama Festival," Mauli said.

His teacher, who helped him a lot to succeed in acting, is Tissa Gunawardena. He teaches at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, where Mauli studies. Gunawardena had gifted many child actors and actresses to the Sri Lankan silver screen. If you can remember the famous 'Amba Yahaluwo' teledrama, those two little boys were also students of this talented master.

"Once, the film director, Sudath Devapriya came to our school, looking for a child actor for his new film. Our master introduced us to him. He wanted us to act out a dialogue. He was satisfied and chose me for the role", Mauli explained how he got the role of Sirimal. The film had been a new experience for him.

He had really enjoyed it, because he had even got the opportunity of learning how to row a boat. His most unforgettable moment in the film is when he had to walk through a jungle in the heavy rain, looking for his father. "The director wanted me to fall on the muddy ground.

I felt really uncomfortable, but after trying that several times, I got used to it", he added. Mauli's next film will be 'Madol Doowa', which he will start working on in January, after his exam.

He became very popular after acting in the children's teledrama telecast on Sirasa TV, 'Sithuge Yaluwo'. His first teledrama was 'Egoda godeth raththarn', an avurudu teledrama; he had acted in many stage dramas as well.

Mauli's acting has never interfered with his education. Studies are his priority. He is a school prefect too.His favourite subjects are maths and science. He is hoping to do Bio-Science for his Advanced Levels.

This brilliant boy is not only a film- star, but is also a good scout who has been selected to represent Sri Lanka at the World Jamboree to be held at Brownsea Islands, England in July 2007. "Don't judge people by their looks.

You can't really see who they are from their outward appearance", he advised children. He wants to thank his parents, teachers, friends and all others who had helped him. Simple life, courage and honour towards his elders are the secrets of his successful life.

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The boy who stole hearts

"When my friends were hurting a kitten, I complained to my teacher, Sir Tissa Gunawardena. He asked me to let him know if they do it again. Then, my friends hurt the kitten again and I told Sir about it. During that meeting, he asked me whether I like to do drama. I agreed." This small incident led to this boy getting the chance of participating in the drama 'Path Iruwa', which was directed by his master. That was when he was in Grade two. Now, you must be wondering who he is.

He is Dasun Madushanka Mendis, better known as 'Podi Hamuduruwo' in the film 'Sooriya Arana', one of the most popular child actors in Sri Lanka. His adorable smile and cute actions stole the hearts of many viewers. This little boy had conquered the film industry, doing almost six films and 21 teledramas, at the age of 12. He is studying at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa.

His first film was 'Sudu Kalu Saha Alu'. He was just nine years at that time. His first teledrama had been 'Sithuge Yahaluwo', where he had got the opportunity to act through the children's programme 'Singithi Havula'. It was the first time he had come in front of a TV camera.

"Sooriya Arana' was a novel experience for me. It was very interesting. I liked it so much, because I got the chance to act like Tarzan and Spider Man, who are my favourite cartoon characters", said Dasun. He had been selected for the film out of 500 children. He really cherishes that moment.

The scene where he had to act with a bear is also one of his most unforgettable experiences. The film 'Samanala Thatu' was also another film that had brought out a fine performance from him. Living the life of a street child had been a new experience for him, especially being exposed to the dust.

He remembers an embarrassing incident that happened to one of his co-stars during the film. Duleeka Marapana, who acted as his mother in the film, had wanted to buy something from a shop and had gone there with Dasun's father. The shopkeeper had chased her away thinking that she was a beggar.

Recently, he had done another teledrama which he said exposed him to another new experience. He had got the opportunity of working with an orphan child. The shooting of the drama had taken place in an orphanage, and he had felt very sorry for those children who are not provided with many facilities.

His parents as well as his elder and younger brothers help him with his studies. Even if he misses some classes because of his acting, he manages to cover them up with the help of his friends and teachers.

His favourite subjects are Maths and English. He harbours ambitions of becoming an archaeologist as he likes to learn about our history and heritage. He is also a good athlete with 100m, 200m, 50m, and 100X4m being his pet events.

He is a member of the New Inventors Association too. Dasun's hobbies are playing computer games and collecting information on history and heritage. His leisure time is spent playing and reading books. His favourite cartoons are Scooby-Doo, Spider Man, Casper and Zorro.

When he does a good film, his friends encourage him saying that he has done a great job. "Sometimes they even ask for an opportunity to act. If I'm getting too many films or dramas, I let them have those", he said.

As a word of advice for his fans, Dasun said, "You should be well educated and must try to be a good citizen".His talent and his ability to work hard has taken him a long way. He wants to thank Tissa Gunawardena, Chamara Jayaweera, and Rukmal Nirosh, his loving parents, Somaratne Dissanayake, Renuka Balasuriya and all others who had helped him.

Janani Amarasekara