Once again the best actress

By Panchamee Hewavissenti

Veteran actress Chandani Seneviratne has once again become the best actress. She recently bagged the best actress’s award at the Sumathi Tele Awards ceremony. She is one of the rare actresses in the country who can play any role. The popular actress didn’t forget to share her joy of becoming the best actress with the Sunday Observer. Excerpts from the interview.

For what role did you receive the Best Actress Award ?

That’s for Vanissa, the role I played in “Rala Bindena Thena”. I had to act as a highly westernised character.

Did you have a hope that you would receive the award before you receive it in that memorable night?

Well. I would like to tell you this. I do not like to attend any award ceremony with any hopes of receiving an award. If I would be unable to receive an award, I certainly have to shatter my dreams. I attend any award ceremony with moderate feelings. Then there would not be any feeling of disparity.

I went to Sumathi Tele Awards because I was invited for ceremony. I was very happy when my name was called for the Best Actress’s award. As usual I felt the happiness of being an award winner after I was being awarded.

How do you assess your own performance?

I know one thing that I acted maintaining a certain standard. I myself selected the role without accepting whatever I was offered. I think I received the due recognition for my performance.

Is this role “Vanisssa” different from other characters you have played?

It is not 100 per cent different from other roles I have played hitherto. It is quite a unique character. Actually I like to play different roles. I do not like to confine myself to any particular character. I have heard some actors and actresses grumble that directors have confined them to one particular character. Fortunately I have been able to play various roles so far.

So no one can pinpoint that Chandani Seneviratne is only good at acting this particular role. And also directors have not confined me to a one particular character. I have acted various roles ranging from highly westernised characters to a peasant woman’s.

Have you received the Best Actress Award prior to this?

This is the third time I received the Best Actress Award at the Sumathi Tele Awards. Apart from that I have received Raigam Awards and Sarasavi Film Awards.

How do you manage your time for tele drama acting?

I accept one character at a time. I don’t like to get busy with too many tele drama shootings. I need to put my heart and soul to the role I play. When I get many offers at the same time, I accept the best character and I live in that character till the shooting is over. If you say that I have been successful in doing justice to whatever character I have played, that is the secret of that.

What are you doing these days?

These days I don’t have shooting schedule. I enjoy my time being at home watching films, reading newspapers, magazines and so on. I do my work myself.

I am studying low country dancing under Mudiyanse Dissanayake because my next tele drama is going to be a character of a dancing master’s wife. So it is required that I am able to dance.

Have you ever studied dancing?

Since I haven’t studied dancing at a younger age I learn with difficulty. My body is not very much flexible like that of a young dancer. However I can manage it.

What is the first tele drama and the film you acted?

The first tele drama was “Gangulen Egodata” and the film was “Sathi Pooja”.

Are you a professional actress?

Yes. Acting is my profession.