TV Times

TV Times

Pabodha : ‘I’ll quit after marriage’
By Ramesh Uvais
Popular tele star Pabodha Sandeepani is in a celebratory mood and she has every reason to be so. Her tele dramas, Peraliya and Tharu Paba which are now being telecast on small screen are huge hits and the 20-year-old talented girl is continuing to get recognition from all quarters.

In an hour-long interview with the TV Times, Pabodha speaks about her past, present and possibly bright future.Reproduced below are excerpts from the frank speak with the Peraliya and Bahubuthayo girl.

You are doing two powerful roles in Peraliya and Tharu Paba these days. Any comments? “Sriyani Aunty’s (Sriyani Amarasena) Peraliya was a novel experience as it was shot in Australia. I am playing two contradictory roles in Peraliya and that was really a challenge.

I am grateful to Sriyani Aunty for making me a part of Peraliya. A limited unit flew to Australia and I was allowed to select my own costumes and wigs. That was my first overseas visit and significantly the first time I was out without my mother, Geetha Kanthi Jayakody. Most of the cast was selected from Australia. I am overjoyed that Peraliya is being showered with all praise and Sriyani Aunty deserves all the credit.

In Tharu Paba I play the role of an emotional journalist sandwiched between two lovers.” Can you recall the days you entered the showbiz world? “In fact I waas just a four-year-old kid when I first faced the camera in Sithumina but the significant role came one year later when I was the daughter of Baladewa (Lucky Dias) in Yashorawaya. In the intervening years I must have acted in not more than 15 teledramas and a couple of films.”

You did a fine job with the mike dubbing for Oshin. Any remarks?“Of course, that was a memorable landmark in my brief career. I was nine when I started dubbing for Oshin and then I joined the SLBC’s Lama Pitiya and continued dubbing in several radio programmes.

I must mention here that my mother who is an established artiste threw her full weight behind me in all my endeavours. I won’t be here if not for my mother. She is indeed a part of my life.” With all those involvement during childhood, how did you manage school work and acting?

“Initially it was difficult. But my school authorities and my mother especially understood my position and guided me in balancing both. I studied at St. Joseph’s Balika, Grandpass upto Grade 4 and then joined St. Paul’s Milagiriya where I did my A levels.

I still possess a thirst for learning and I do read a lot.”On what projects are you working now and what are your future releases? “Well, there are about three more tele dramas awaiting release but I have not accepted any new offers. Something tells me that I need a small break and I don’t see any rush to sign new contracts. But I shall accept if any good offers come my way.”

Where do you see yourself in another 10 years? “Who knows? May be I’ll be a successful businesswoman. I feel acting is not a profession for me, especially in a country like ours. I indulge in acting only as a hobby.”

Trying to push in a question about marriage and romance we ask her if she would quit acting after marriage? “Probably yes. My life will certainly not end the day I give up acting. I’m sure I will find other avenues to keep me occupied. But I decline to divulge more details as I think it’s my work that arouses interest and not my personal life “

“I always wish to keep my personal life out of print,” she laughs and her laugh could be heard miles away.May be she’s trying to put us off the scent, but that’s okay….because all’s fair in love and interviews.

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