DILHANI ASHOKAMALA EKANAYAKE ICON ACTRESS ACCEPTS ANY ROLE ENTRUSTED RELISHES DANCING ACTS TO ADD GLAMOUR TO HER VIVID ROLES DOMINATED OUR SILVER SCREEN FOR OVER TWO DECADES – by Sunil Thenabadu
Dilhani Ashokamala Ekanayake born 4 March 1970 native of Polhengoda where at that time it had been an area with paddy fields ,lakes etc.,had studied at St Clares College Colombo 06 , who had learnt dancing in school when she was nine years old. In addition she had followed dancing at Sarvodaya, Sama dance groups, Khemadasa ballets and at Channa Wijewardena dance academy. Dilhani had left school after her ordinary levels as she had disliked following higher studies though not having had any intentions to be an actress. But she is now a distinguished actress in Sri Lankan cinema ,theatre and television, one of the most popular film actresses in Sinhala cinema, Dilhani with innate talent not having any hereditary affiliations to her parents who were sans much ambitions only concentrated in earning and having a decent living. She loved to be isolated and independent from her small days liked when she was about eight years. Had loved to loiter in the wild particularly in the flora in front of their dwelling to which she visits often when time permits with a parcel of lunch and a bottle of water. She has won several awards as the most popular actress in multiple times. She has proved her versality in portraying any given role with consummate ease unlike many other actresses, her role in the recently screened ‘Jangi Hora’ was from the top drawer in an unusual role successfully depicted.
Acting is not simply reading a dialogue in front of a camera. It is much more sophisticated and complex than that. One needs to read the script come to know the character how it needs to be raised to high and low ranges and manner to rejuvenate the character . It is a complicated process to keep the continuity in acting focussed on the camera angles, continuity in costumes, continuity in hairstyles. Those who possess all these traits could be labelled as an actor or an actress like Dilhani , possessing such attributes are only a few in our country, such one is beautiful Dilhani who speaks straight, a bit lively too, capable of drawing vivid audiences to view her unique portrayals in films and the small screen for well over two decades. Before entering cinema, she had acted in few ballets such as Vishwa Geethaya and Saama. In 1987, along with Channa Wijewardena, she performed in the ballet Ukussa too. Dilhani made her cinema debut in 1991 film Dedunnena Samanaliyak directed by Yasapalitha Nanayakkara. In that year, 1991 she won the Sarasaviya award for the Best upcoming Actress. In 1992, she won the award for the Most popular Actress at the same festival.
Her early roles were confined to commercial films only. Her ability to dance with her characteristic trademark smile captivated many audiences. She is known as the ‘Sridevi’ of Sri Lankan films. Her career hit a different trail with her role as an abandoned Tamil girl in the film Me Mage Sandai of Asoka Handagama. This serious role paved the way for other remarkable performances in Sudu Kalu Saha Alu (Shades of Grey), Mage Wam Atha (My Left Hand) and Sulanga (Wind). In 2005, she again won the award for the Best Actress for the role Sudu Kalu Saha Alu at Sarasaviya Festival. In 2007, she won Presidential award for the Best Actress for the role in Sulanga. Also she had made some notable depictions in Mage Wam atha, Sulanga, Me Mage Sandai, Sudu Kalu Saha Alu, Pem Kekula, Nilambare, Gamani and many comedy films such as Cheriyo Darling, Chaya Maya etc most have been blockbuster films.
Though cited as a cinema actress, she has also starred in several teledramas of which Maya Ranga, Swarna Kingkini, Meeduma, Sath Sanda Kirana and Amarapuraya stand out. She plays a major role in the Sri Lankan movie star show Ridee Reyak, which is a very popular annual event in Sri Lanka impressed for her dancing acts. She also performed as a judge of Ranawiru Real Star and Mega Star as well. Her latest performance came through in Dhawala Doowili, Bharyawo, and Deviya Sugala teledramas.She was once the brand ambassador for Lux.
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She is not that tall 5 feet 2 1/ 2 inches has affirmed her closest friends in the field who could be most trusted are Ravindra Randeniya,Anoja Weerasinghe and Nadeeka Gunasekera as she could discuss any issue confidentially. She could cook anything tastily with preference to fish curry, ladies fingers(bandakka) and Brinjal mouju.She had entered the cinematic field in year 1988 very raw and at an tender age of eighteen years.She had added that no one had come behind her, all had come from the front.Having acted with actor cum vocalist, son of legendary Milton Perera, Priyankara Perera a few times together ,both had fallen in love in succession had married only after associating for just three months. Another reason she had adored was as Priyankara had not much encumbrances living with his mother only. Since then for over a two and a half decades the duo has had a contented family life sans conflicts. In addition to ,of course in any successful marriage life’s sacrifices have to be made. One quality of Priyankara she didn’t like was his going out with friends in the evening ,then coming home late.But having tolerated Dilhani had got used to his quality. Before that Ranjan Ramanayake has had an interest but Dilhani having studied his qualities lamented that he was not suited to her to live had stressed as he is not a husband material. But Dilhani wanted to marry at the correct age,at twenty three years old to have children to have a happy family.It is Dihani who had shown Ranjan, then the shops, how to get about as he was a novice to the city, but even to date Dilhani is attached to Ranjan maintaining a good rapport. She had acted with actor cum vocalist son of legendary Milton Perera, Priyankara Perera a few times both had fallen in love in succession had married only after associating for just three months.Since then for over a two and a half decades has had a family life sans conflicts. Of course in any successful marriage lives sacrifices had to be made.One quality of Priyankara she didn’t like his going out with friends in the evening ,then coming home late.But having tolerated Dilhani had got used to his quality.Before that Ranjan Ramanayake has had an interest but Dilhani having studied his qualities lamented that he was not suited to her to live was stressed as not a husband material . It is Dihani who had shown him the shops, how to get about as he was very new to the city, but even to date Dilhani is attached to Ranjan. At a television dialog was questioned who will respond to your call at 3 am for an emergency.She replied saying that it is Priyantha, Kamal and Roger who live in the vicinity will respond to her call promptly. From the acting prowess Dilhani places Roshan Ranasinghe and Pubudu Chathuranga on top among the actresses she placed Shalini Tharaka and Samanalee Fonseka as her choices.Dilhani has three unusual attributes eating beetles, sitting on the hood of the dwelling and walking at 3 am not known to many .Dilhani leads a very simple unsophisticated life who spends very little for dresses ,shoes. cosmetics etc for which she attributes as she has fewer visits to the outside ,to television programs.She likes her to be called a film star not as an artiste as several by portraying a minor role in a teledrama identifies them as artistes for many though the duration in the field is very short lived. She advises all who intend entering this field to be modest and unassuming it they are to remain in the field.When Dilhani acted in her first film under the direction of Yasapalitha Nanayakkars she had been very thin but was a competent dancer which had proved to her advantage. Thereafter Dilhani had grown under the Directors guidance believing acting is a well esteemed respected profession. She still believes the director may have observed her to be like a ‘samanalaya’ a butterfly.Dilhani from her beginning of her acting career had moved closely with all concerned in the field who to date are her associates.
Acting is not simply reading a dialogue in front of a camera. It is much more sophisticated and complex than that.One needs to read the script come to know the character how it needs to be raised to high and low ranges and manner to rejuvenate the character.It is a complicated process to keep the continuity in acting focussed on the camera angles, continuity in costumes, continuity in hairstyles. Those who possess all these traits could be labelled as an actor or an actress like Dilhani Ashokamala Ekanayake. Possessing such attributes are only a few in our country, such one is beautiful Dilhani who speaks straight, a bit lively capable of drawing audiences to view her unique portrayals in films and the small screen for well over two decades.
At a television dialog when Dilhani was questioned who will respond to your call at 3 am for an emergency. She replied saying that it is Priyantha, Kamal and Roger who live in the vicinity will react to her call promptly. From the acting prowess Dilhani places Roshan Ranasinghe and Pubudu Chathuranga on top, among the actresses she placed Shalini Tharaka and Samanalee Fonseka as her choices having predicted them to steal the limelight from the time she observed the talents of the duo..Dilhani has three unusual attributes eating beetles, sitting on the hood of the dwelling and walking at 3 am not known to many .Dilhani leads a very simple unsophisticated life who spends very little for dresses ,shoes. cosmetics etc for which she attributes as she has fewer visits to the outside, to television programs. She likes her to be called a film star not as an artiste as several by portraying a minor role in a teledrama identifies them as artistes for many though the duration in the field is very short lived. She advises all who intend entering this field to be modest and unassuming it they are to remain in the field.When Dilhani acted in her first film under the direction of Yasapalitha Nanayakkars she had been very thin but was a competent dancer which had proved to her advantage. Thereafter Dilhani had grown under the Directors guidance believing acting is a well esteemed respected profession. Dilhani added that she was lucky to have etched a good name from her beginning which was a boost for her future.. Dilhani from her beginning of her acting career had moved closely with all concerned sans any blemish in the field who to date are all her associates. But as friends she has only a handful which she thinks is conducive to happy contented living who rarely shed tears possessing a robust mind. She leads a contended life sans any aspirations and dreams.
Acting is not simply reading a dialogue in front of a camera. It is much more sophisticated and complex than that.One needs to read the script come to know the character how it needs to be raised to high and low ranges and manner to rejuvenate the character.It is a complicated process to keep the continuity in acting focussed on the camera angles, continuity in costumes, continuity in hairstyles. Those who possess all these traits could be labelled as an actor or an actress like Dilhani Ashokamala Ekanayake. Possessing such attributes are only a few in our country, such one is beautiful Dilhani who speaks straight, a bit lively capable of drawing audiences to view her unique portrayals in films and the small screen for well over two decades. Dilhani had never intended to be a political figure but as a Sri Lankan was following how the politicians delivered. When Gotabhaya was elected with a massive majority having polled sixty nine million votes, though he had not possessed much experience in this position she was confident he would deliver to make the people’s lives prosperous to lead decent lives though not that luxurious. Dilhani has had a belief in the philosophies of the JVP having learnt under teacher Tilvin Silva ,secretary of the JVP when young. She had bravely stepped onto the JVP political platform the other day in support of them. She had confirmed that she had previously participated in their discussions, debates, and conversations many times. However, she had affirmed that if they perform any wrong doing she will not hesitate to point a finger at them. Dilhani also had stated that Tilvin Silva beyond politics had taught her about life to make her to be matured changing her usual perspective. Dilhani with many past experiences had warned people to be careful not to be carried away by their erroneous promises. Dilhani predicts a bleak future for the younger generation though they are an intelligent lot, only a miracle could save native Sri Lanka.Dilhani predicts many to become insane hence the number of mental hospitals should be increased to treat them. Dilhani hates social media which it is not in her frequencies ,believes all television channels should have the same theories and thoughts if our country is to stride forward.
Dilhani from the year 1990 had been chosen to portray roles in films each year sometimes for three to four films a year beginning with Dedunnek ena samanaliak .She had portrayed roles in over one hundred and ten films more than any other actress in the annals of our history.From the year 1990 she was sought after having had busy schedules. Had won many awards in Sarasaviya,Presidential.Signis, Derana film awards.In year 1991 won the best up and coming actress award at the Sarasaviya film festival, in 1992 the most popular actress ,in 2002 a meri award as well as a special Jury award, in 2005 was awarded the best actress award.In the Presidential award ceremony was awarded in years 2001 and 2002 best actresses award for her roles in films Me mage Sandai and Sulanga.In the Signis awards in year 2001 and 2003 she won the Silver performance female award and the Gold performance female award for her portrayals in Me Mage Sandai and Gamini.In Derana film awards Dilhani was awarded the best actress for her role in Gamini and by peoples vote in year 2015 as the most popular actress.Then in year 2018 for her role in Dharmayuddaya for the best actress.
Dilhani Ashokamala Ekanayake a highly versatile actress in cinema, theatre and television labelled as a the ‘Siridevi” of the silver screen which is her favourite base. In order to become an acclaimed actress, there are many personality characteristics needed like charisma the most surface qualities expected. Obviously the next trait is passion, hard work and commitment, intelligence able to be articulate and be well spoken, should be highly imaginative, the biggest and important traits that make a great actress. Similar to a tree which had grown in stature profusely to unprecedented tall elevations . Dilhani too has had proper foundation with innate talent and blessings too to be in this elated position. She is still young has more years in her professional career to blossom more as she undertakes to portray any given role.All her fans would wish her good health for her future endeavours.
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Sunil Thenabadu
e mil sthenabadu@hotmail.com
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