|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 20 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Carefree Chathurika shoots to stardom by Lakmal Welabada Chathurika Peiris is the 'Twitty Bird' of the small screen. Beauty, brains, charm and an endearing wit has propelled her to instant stardom, making her the darling of the small screen. And her debut in 'Aadaraneeya Wassanaya' (Love in Autumn), now being screened, has reinforced that appeal on the Silver Screen. In the teledrama 'Sooriya Daruvo' (Children of the Sun God) Chathurika played the lead role of teenager Viveka, who faces the ups and downs in her love life and the problems encountered by her family, with a liberal attitude and carefree demeanour. "Viveka was just myself. I did not have to put any extra effort to act to the character. Director Nalan Mendis let me to do the role and handled the camera according to my movements. And I didn't play for the camera, the camera was played for me," she laughs. Chathurika has acted in nearly ten teledramas so far. She was just a schoolgirl at Musaeus College when the very first offer for a teledrama came to her. It was a secondary role in 'Bava Sayura'. And since then there has been no looking back for her. Working for Ceylinco Travels and Tours just after leaving school gave her an exposure to different views and opinions in the competitive world in real life. "I worked there for about eight months, and left to do a Diploma in Computer and a course in graphics. But today, here I am 'acting'," she says with a laugh. 'Rangana Vijithaya', 'Paradeesaya', 'Yaso Mandiraya', 'Pavena Sarungal', 'Ranmasu Vessa', 'Vasanthaya Evilla', 'Indrachapa', and 'Aashavari' are some of the teledramas Chathurika has starred in, that have been telecast, not-yet-telecast and still-on-shooting. Among them 'Rangana Vijithaya' (Directed by Sriyani Amarasena) was shot in Australia. Before she stumbled into 'acting' Chathurika was known as a singer and a musician at school. When in school, not a single 'Kala Ulela' was held without her participation. No mean musician Chathurika plays the Sitar, Serpina, Violin, Organ, Esraj and Guitar. "I am not boasting, I can play any eastern musical instrument," she says and adds, "I did not study music under any special guidance while at school. But now I practise singing with Edward Jayakody who is my relative as well." The 'Twitty Bird' seems to be moulding her career and personal life in a well balanced way. Learning ballroom dancing under Devasiri Peiris, and having a healthy diet and healthy work out under the guidelines of her personal trainer, Ranil Harshana helps her to proceed with a well toned mental and physical equilibrium. "Although having a personal trainer for an actor or actress seems to be a new concept to us, in other countries it's a common thing. An actor or actress can change his/her appearance through the proper guidance of a personal trainer. I think it's very important if one hopes to get ahead in the acting career," says a mature sounding Chathurika. Though proceeding with all those endeavours, Chathurika has no high hopes for anything. "I just try to do the best in whatever I do. If I feel like quitting, I might quit. Until then I will give the best," she says. Though acting is highly competitive by its very nature, Chathurika says she does not believe that envy or discourtesy can bring any good to anyone. "Also, I don't advocate any actress to give up her career after getting married. True, we cannot play the role of the young teenager everyday. But we can continue with the characters that suit our age. For example, we can play the role of an Akka (elder sister) when in our thirties, and then proceed to the mother's role. And of course, if we are blessed with a long healthy life, why not one day do the role of a grandmother as well. There's no barrier to continue one's acting career throughout the life," she says. Chathurika is one of the lucky young women whose career is backed by her loving supportive parents. Her father is a radio artiste and her only sister is a permanent dancer cum TV artiste. Hence 'art' is something that has been in her genes. Chathurika is a youngster who has never let peer pressure govern her behaviour or decisions. "I treat everybody equally, but closely associate with only a handfull of friends. Genuine friendship is something that I value a lot," she says. When it came to the issue of marriage, the 'Twitty Bird,' pauses for a few seconds and said that she will be a practical person in this sense. "In our parents' days, love was considered the most holy thing in life. If they loved each other, material things didn't matter. But it's different today. I don't think anyone should be that fanatic for anything. No young woman would like to marry a man who cannot feed and clothe her. We have to accept that practical fact as it's the reality. But that does not mean materialism is the only thing. There should be a balance," she smiles. Chathurika is definite she would not marry a person who would ask her to give up her career. "That should be decided by me. However my children and the family life would come first in my life," she amends. Still on the subject of marriage, she says she is not sure whether she would marry an actor. "How can I predict that. Sometimes I might quit, but my husband would become an actor later in life," she adds. Swimming, dancing, reading books on astronomy and science fictions by Arthur C. Clarke and watching both Hollywood and Bollywood film CDs are among her hobbies. "I played netball, basketball and participated in a lot of field events at school. Now I play badminton when time permits," says Chathurika, emphasising the importance of being physical fit. Cooking and caring for animals (specially doggies) are also among her pastimes. This newest heart throb of the Silver Screen hopes to have a break for about six to seven months and follow a course in India to improve on her acting. "I also hope to release a CD of my own songs. At present I am looking for a few good lyrics to give the musicians who compose music for me. My CD will be a novel creative blend of songs," she says ending the interview. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
