Her face was her fortune

Devika Mihirani talks about life with popular actor Wijaya Nandasiri:

Senerath and his wife are employees at the same institution. The company regulations require them not to disclose their marriage. Though their superiors are unaware, it is not a secret to their colleagues.

Senerath is a popular character among his fellow workers, but soon falls into trouble as his boss becomes infatuated over his wife. However, Senerath, a born shrewd craftsman uses his own agenda to protect his wife from the superior.

Question:Has he ever faced a similar problem in real life?

“No, no, not in the real life,” says Devika Mihirani laughing. Devika, not the wife of `Senerath’ of `Yes Boss’ that comes on `Sirasa TV’ every weekend, but of Wijaya Nandasiri and she gives life to this, the main role.

Wijaya was Prince Maname in `Maname’, the king in `Mahasara’ and Singhabahu at `Singhabahu’; all three celebrated dramas of veteran Dr. Ediriweera Sarathchandra, for more than 20 years continuously. He is the Minister at `Ethuma’ and Premachandra at `Nonavaruni-Mahathvaruni’, another two popular comedies on TV.

In the film `Sikuru Hathe’, he is the famous marriage match maker, Mangala Jaya. A well acclaimed actor, Wijaya Nandasiri has turned a new leaf in life from a serious actor to the “local Mr. Bean”, who apparently has become the present hero in all walks and age of life.

Question:How do you see him?

Devika: The best person in the world (laughs).

Devika, on the other hand claims to hold the record to be the main actress in the first TV teledrama telecast in Sri Lanka, and probably in Asia as well, the cherished soap opera, `Dimuthu Muthu’. Dr. D. B. Nihalsinghe’s first tele saw Devika appear with her charming face which will enthral viewers’ for many more decades.

`Nanda’, the role of the innocent pretty lass she played in this tele has been quite similar to her ownself in real life, which has not been changed even after two decades. Today though mature, Devika is still the charming, gorgeous, healthy and virtuous `Nanda’ whom we used to appreciate quite a lot.

Naullage Devika Mihirani Perera was born on March 21 to N. William Perera, a Jockey and a Steward and Kusum Perera of Kohuwala, Nugegoda. “I’m the third of the eight siblings. We have one brother and all the others are girls,” she says. Devika studied at Anula College, Nugegoda where she laid the foundation for her `Kala’ (arts) field.

“I learnt Kandyan dancing first with Mrs. Daya Nellampitiya and joined the dancing class conducted by Mr. Somadasa Niththavela at Sudarshi, Bullers Lane. It was the place I first met Wijaya. He was practising a drama in the adjoining hall. Our dancing hall was fully covered other than a few window holes. So, he and the other young actors used to look at us, the girls dancing, through these holes without our knowledge,” she laughs.

The pretty dancer who was in her eighteen stole his heart. But he decided not to jump the gun as he believed in following her up for sometime to find out who she really was. However the two got the opportunity to talk with each other during the interval at the canteen. “He was the one who suggested that I join the `Maname’ drama. I didn’t say a word as I intended to get the consent of my parents,” recalls Devika.

“I had a lovely childhood. All my family members were well united. Since our father was a jockey, we, the children got a rare opportunity of riding on horse back to school. He used to go for training in the morning and gave us a chance to come with him everyday. So, we used to get off near the school proudly. Other than that we were sent to school by a Buggy-cart.

Our parents were really protective. But, we enjoyed life. Even when we go for a film or to see `Vesak’ or anywhere else we used to go in a queue as there were ten members in the family including our parents. My father worked as a Steward in a ship as well. So, most of the time he was at sea. We were looked after well and were provided with everything. Ours was really a lovely childhood,” reminisces Devika.

Devika was just eighteen when she first joined the chorus in `Maname’. The offer for `Dimuthu Muthu’ came when she was about 21 years. Though she became the dream girl of so many young hearts through the tele which unfolded weekly, it was still a secret to many that her heart had already been stolen by Wijaya. Devika has been in the tele field for the past 20 years.

“After `Dimuthu Muthu’, I took part in `Rekha’, `Sulanga’ and `Sudu saha Kalu’. All of them were directed by D. B. Nihalsinghe and the screen play was by the late Dharmasri Munasinghe. All these were hits. `Sudu saha Kalu’ was the first and the last tele in which the celebrated actor and the King of the Sinhala filmdom, Gamini Fonseka took part. He played the role of my father.

It was a rare experience to work with a gigantic actor like him. We expected him to be uppish and haughty, but were really surprised over Gamini Aiya’s simplicity,” says Devika.

Devika won the best actress award and the Popular actress awards for her role in `Dimuthu Muthu’. In addition she was the Popular actress for three consequent years for her teles in 1980s.

Iluppitiya Mudiyanselage Wijaya Nandasiri was born on May 5 to Simon Silva, a Supervisor at the Food Control Department and Mable Senadira at Maharagama as the third of their seven children. Wijaya studied at Vidyakara Maha Vidyalaya, Maharagama.

Since the school days, Wijaya’s main forte has been for drama. When he took part in his first drama, `Viduru Diva’ directed by Amaradasa Jayatunga, Wijaya was just 14 years. He took part in Dayananda Gunewardene’s `Nari Bena’, `Jasaya saha Lenchina’ and `Kaamare Pore’ when he was 19 years old, and just out of school. “Wijaya is an all rounder in the field who has excelled in all three areas; acting, singing and dancing. You rarely find actors in this calibre. He has studied Kandyan, Bharatha and Western dancing and can get himself involved into any role. It’s a gift,” claims Devika. Wijaya learnt dancing under Shesha Palihakkara, Wasantha Kumara, Basil Mihiripenna, Chitrasena-Vajira, Somadasa Niththavela and Kamal Ratnasiri. Lionel Algama and Jayantha Aravinda were his music masters.

After his A/Ls in the Arts stream, Wijaya joined AirLanka as a Catering Officer, but simultaneously was involved in dramas. But, after five years he quit his job at AirLanka as he decided to dedicate his whole life to the performing arts. Wijaya won a few awards so far. But, the people’s award he has won, he says is the best even more than of the critics’ awards. The Government gifted him a plot of land at Mount Lavinia for the service he rendered to the drama field, for playing the Prince Maname in the stage drama `Maname’ for the past 27 years. Wijaya got the opportunity to take part in dramas under almost all the directors during the 1980s and 1990s. So far he has done 30-35 stage dramas, 30 films and 30-35 teles. `Kusa Pabavathi’, `Haaratha Rajina’, `Vrushabha Raaja’ and `Shri Gajabha’ have been the stage dramas he has produced, and they are still on the stage both in Sri Lanka as well as abroad.

Question:Is he the same jovial character in his normal life as well?

Devika: No. He is very silent and simple. It’s like two sides of the same coin. He maintains a moderate lifestyle. Very religious and never forgets to take `Gilanpasa Pooja’ to Abeysingharamaya, Maradana every Poya Day. Both he and I like to partake in meritorious deeds. That’s our passion.

Question:Your children?

Devika: Our daughter, Navaranjana Mihirani (18) and our son, Rasanjana Suchithra (14) are the two great gifts we have got. It’s a blessing to have children like them as they are really good. Our daughter is studying at Visakha Vidyalaya and our son is at Royal College. My son is a good drummer. Both my children can play music (organ and drums), sing, dance and act, just like their talented father (smiles). When we go for shows abroad, we take only six persons with us, so one person has to play two to three roles simultaneously. We have to do our own set, lighting, sound operating and make-up. It is our two children who help us in all this. They have a versatile knowledge and energy for all that even though they are still very young. It’s a blessing. We are really proud of them.

Question:Wijaya as a husband?

Devika: I cannot expect him to do anything at home as he cannot do even his own things without my help (smiles). We have no jealousy between us, and trust each other whole heatedly. We have a good family life and I believe it’s the greatest blessing I’ve got as a woman. I have been with my children since their birth and have never neglected my part as a mother. Ours is an united and loving family unit. We try to stick together whenever we could. Wijaya tries his best to come home whenever he gets time in between shooting. Acting is our job, but we have not complicated our personal lives with that. I believe, anyone can do wrong in silence, but your conscience will never let you be in peace. So, why do we have to suffer? It’s better to avoid doing wrong (smiles).

Question:Future dreams?

Devika: I’m a person who can get satisfied very easily. I like to help others, especially in sickness. My childhood dream was to become a doctor though my fate changed my path. But, I worked with the Red Cross for nearly 6 years doing a lot of hospital service and so on. So, still if somebody asks me I can find remedies for mild ailments. It’s an inborn gift I’ve got. I love to cook and enjoy others relishing my dishes. Wijaya has got a few offers to direct films. Since he is a hero of little children as well, he hopes to make a film which can be enjoyed by both the kids and adults. As a policy he doesn’t use double phrases or obscene language his dialogues whatever the role he plays. He believes that a comedy is for the whole family, and everybody including the smallest child of a family must be able to enjoy.