Patience and tolerance - Two remedies for marital problems

How many hearts have Marlon Brando and Tom Cruise broken so far? If you really tap their hearts, they might murmur one name... Whatever happens a man or a woman experiences real love only once in life. If it becomes successful, then there's nothing to worry. But if it fails, surely it will definitely remain as a scar in your heart.

"Falling in love with an actor is natural. But to continue a marriage with him is the biggest challenge out of all," says Gayathri Irosha Dias, wife of Channa Perera.

"He is busy. And unlike me he is a person who cannot endure pressure too much as he is extremely sensitive. So he needs freedom to get on with his work. I've realised this and however much I have to struggle I make it a point not to disturb him," smiles Gayathri.

A woman is said to be the shadow behind every successful man. Gayathri has sacrificed her career in acting for her family life. "It was solely my decision. But I take part in small roles here and there. But my main commitment is now towards my family and my salon," she smiles. 'Salon Gayathri' on Pagoda Road, Nugegoda with a big placard of the duo - the 'star couple' just in front of it, is her kingdom which caters to unisex, both adults and kids. "He supports me whole heartedly though he has little time for everything," says Gayathri.

After the era of the likes of K.A.W.Perera, Channa has been one of the few directors who has rejuvenated the present commercial film industry with his very first direction, 'Anjalika', a commercial film which won many awards.

The children's teledrama, 'Punchi Weerayo' which went up to 78 episodes on Rupavahini was his first tele direction. After that Channa had done three teledramas including 'Wassanaye Hiru Evidin', 'Sanda Diya Arana' and 'Tikiri Hapannu'. At present he is fully engaged with his second direction 'Sanda Diya Salu', a joint venture with Gemini Studio, South India. The main role would be done by Pooja Umashankar, Kerala actress who was introduced to the Sinhala cinema screen by Channa in his first hit 'Anjalika'. The joint venture, 'Sanda Diya Salu' will be screened simultaneously in Sri Lanka and India dubbed in Tamil and Thelingu.

Question: He seems to be quite apt in working with children as out of his four teledramas two ('Punchi Weerayo' and 'Tikiri Hapannu') are for children.

Gayathri: Yes, of course, he is a person who can get on with children very well. It's a skill a person rarely inherits. Unlike with adults handling a child in front of a camera is a challenge. Channa is a person who has overcome this challenge successfully. He has patience and his kind compassion might have been the secret behind his success.

Deepanath Channa Perera was born as the eldest of four sons of Piyasena Perera who pioneered special education in Sri Lanka. His mother was a teachers' instructress. Channa studied first at Sri Sumangala Boys' School, Panadura and later at Royal College, Colombo. Since his childhood though Channa was pushed into studying, his forte was for singing and acting. The school stage became the most adored place at school for him. Cricket was his favourite sport. With all that he sat for his A/L s in bio-science, and then took over a Banking job. His life at the bank was a most difficult period as it was a subject he never ever liked to handle. And after a period of four years, he was able to escape from it to the cinema. 'Acting and directing' would be the only path ahead for him, he decided.

His very first tele, 'Sujatha' directed by Daya Wimalaweera, telecast in 1989 brought Channa to the limelight. His second tele was 'Golu Hadawatha' directed by Lester James and Sumithra Peris. Both were supporting characters. So far Channa has done more than 100 teles and out of these most were main roles.

Gayathri was born to Ranjith Henry Dias and Eujin Alahpperuma as the second child of their family. Gayathri has an elder brother and a younger sister. "My father worked at the Czechoslovakian Embassy until he retired. Since we were living in many rented places, I had to attend many schools. Methodist College, Samudradevi and Karunaratne Bauddhaloka Maha Vidyalaya were among a few of them," says Gayathri.

"I was in the A/L class when I got an appointment as the Receptionist at the TNL TV. I was just 17 years then. Though I had been quite active in all the extra curricular activities at school, I got the chance to come into the lime light during this period of time. I took part in 'Miss Sri Lanka Contest' in 1992 and won the 'Miss Photogenic' title. In 1994, I was the first 'Sirasa Ru Rajina' (Sirasa Beauty Queen, conducted by Sirasa TV and Sirasa FM)," she recalls.

The New Year teledrama, 'Udaara Geethaya' was Gayathri's first tele. Since then she got main roles of nearly ten teles. "I also took part in a few supporting characters about five films," she says.

Question: What is the most memorable tele role you have done?

Gayathri: There are many. But, K.Wijeratne's 'Nayanamina' became popular. Apart from that 'Makara Vijithaya' directed by Benet Ratnayaka was the most memorable for both of us (smiles).

Both Channa and I did the main roles in it and we became quite close by the time we finished shooting. We had met once earlier at the restaurant at Noris Canal Road which belonged to my father. Channa came there with a set of his tele friends to have meals. I just barged in and talked to him casually. But while at shooting of 'Makara Vijithaya' in Nuwara Eliya and Watawala area we had a lot of time to get to know each other. We became good friends, and he started visiting my place quite often. But, I treated him as a good friend, and actually was a bit shocked when he came out with his proposal. But he was really serious. He had got the consent of his parents even before he asked me.

Question: Did your parents give their consent?

Gayathri: Well, certainly yes, there wasn't any reason for them to reject him. I didn't want to lose him. He had a good name in the industry. And I knew he likes me a lot (laughs), so we went on, and got married within a year, on September 26 in 1996.

Question: When did you decide to give up acting?

Gayathri: Hmm... After we started the affair. I thought if both of us become busy going out for shooting there won't be a family life. I think I took the correct decision.

Question: How is life with an actor-husband?

Gayathri: I think if you are a wife of a busy husband, you have to take up something that keeps you really occupied. Otherwise you would keep thinking of him which gradually lead to a state of suspicion. And that would be the start of many problems. I personally know cases which have propped up on baseless reasons. Why do you want to destroy your life like that? Which man likes to come to a wife who nags him throughout? So when he thinks of his home, would he get a pleasant feeling? It was Channa, who encouraged me in taking up beauty culture. And I'm very happy I own two branches - at Pagoda and Malabe so far.

Question: How do you manage all your work with your two children?

Gayathri: My eldest daughter, Malisha Parindya is nine years and attending Musaeus College. My youngest daughter, Duasha Adithya is just one and half years old now. So, I can't get late in the evening however much work I have. Channa loves our daughters, but has little time for them as he's quite occupied with his work.

Question: How do you deal with rumours?

Gayathri: Naturally, when your man is a famous guy, you tend to hear a lot of rumours. I do not get confused over them as almost all the actresses who work with him are friendlier with me than they are with him. Even if I have a problem I know how to handle it without getting agitated.

Some bring you rumours out of love, some with hatred and jealousy and some to have fun to see how we would dance according to them. So why should we get disturbed? (smiles).

Anybody would like to look at a beautiful woman. Don't we, even being women turn and look if we see a good looking girl on the road? You cannot stop your man from looking at her either. But that doesn't mean that you are going to lose him forever? (laughs).... Patience and tolerance are the remedies for many problems..

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