  Jatila Karawita
An actress known for her linguistic skills as well as her acting
prowess is none other than Chanchala Warnasuriya.During her short tenure
in tele-drama and cinema she has built up many fans. In an interview
with ‘Panorama’ she gave her views on the industry, her professional
commitments and her future aspirations.Chanchala was spotted first by
well-known photographer Lakshman Gunathilaka, on her return to the
country from France in the late 1990s. She made clear that she doesn’t
like to be categorised as a professional actress as her commitments lay
elsewhere.
“I charge a fee for my services, for acting in tele-dramas and
films”, she said of her work in the two media.
“But, I do not depend on it for my livelihood, because I have my
business commitments overseas, hence I only indulge in acting.
She maintained that what she earned through her work in cinema and
tele-dramas, she has donated to the ‘Ranaviru Sevana’ in Ragama, in aid
of disabled soldiers and to a set of Bhikkhunis that she has been
helping for a number of years.
“In early 2000, a few photos taken by Lakshman Gunathilaka, appeared
in the local press, and that is how Sri Lankans first came to know about
me”, she recalled about her foray into the showbiz scene. “After that, I
appeared for a few advertisements and I happened to catch the attention
of the versatile director Mohan Niyaz who made the popular tele-drama
‘Seethambara Salu’ which paved the way for me to capture the hearts and
minds of television viewers.
Commencing with ‘Seethambara Salu’, Chanchala acted at least over
nine tele-dramas including the critically acclaimed productions of
Ranjith Kuruppu’s ‘Puhthuni Hamba Giya’, Jayantha Chandrasiri’s ‘Sathara
Denek Senpathiyo’ and Sudath Rohana’s ‘Kaluwara Gedera’ taking
top-billing.
Bermin Fernando’s ‘Guru Geethaya’ and Mohan Niyaz’s, ‘Dewana Mawu’
are two other tele-dramas waiting on the list.
She is grateful to Director Niyaz for her breakthrough role in
‘Seethambara Salu’ despite her difficulty in Sinhala pronunciation
having spent her early childhood in France.
She managed to grasp her mother-tongue quiet easily and she is
pleased that most of her fans are amazed by her mastery of the language.
When asked whether tele-drama or film acting was a field that she
would recommend for budding starlets Chanchala was quick to point out
that being in the public eye as an actress they should safeguard their
weaknesses and strengthens, and should pick and choose roles that can
have a lasting impact on society.
She stated that one of the biggest shortcomings she has noticed is
discipline which you got to maintain while on the set, besides not
knowing how to respect veterans in the field.
Chanchala added that in the latter aspect, she was fortunate that
most veterans in the field have gone out of their way to help her learn
the ropes and so far she has not encountered any problems with fallow
artistes.
It shows her ability to mingle with the old and the new while
maintaining her own identity. “Budding actresses got to be morally
conscious of their character if they intend to go far in this sphere”,
she stressed.
‘Paya Enna Hiruse’, ‘Api Merenna Ne’, Muthu Salamba, and ‘Thushara’
are four other movies still to be released.Talking of marriage and
settling down in life, who is in the prime of her life was philosophical
and emphasised that it would hing on the understanding two people have
before tying the knot.
As for her own plans of wedlock, Chanchala would only say that she
would allow time to decide it and that one of her greatest passions in
life is to help the needy and devote much time for religious activities. |
