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Dasun
Madhushanka: Beyond a child actor Dasun Madhushan has already acted in five films involving three lead roles with two more waiting to be released. This gifted actor won a merit award at the recent Presidential awards held in July 2005. He is still a grade seven student at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa. A number of talented actors for both wide and small screens like Srinath Maddumage, Rukmal Nirosh and Ashen Manjula are past pupils of PoWC Moratuwa. "It was when I was in the Grade 2 class that I started. I saw some children harassing a small cat one day. I went to Mr. Tissa Gunewardena to complain and rescue the poor creature." ‘Noticing the way I explained this incident, 'Gunawardena Sir', who was famous for his dramas asked me to join him in his next play,’ said young Dasun describing his journey first to the stage then to the miniscreen and eventually the silver screen. Dasun's first appearance was in the stage play "Sath Iruwa" and this was followed by "Sihina Charika". "Later I was invited by Chamara Jayawera to conduct a children's TV programme "Singithi Hawula", my first appearance on the small screen. "Then I was invited to take part in the children's teledrama "Siduge Yaluwo" said Dasun at length. It was through actor Rukmal Nirosh, I came to know 'Sudath Mahadivulwewa Mama' who selected me out of nearly 500 hopefuls who participated at the audition. Jayalath Manoratne Mama and Channa Deshapriya Mama had recommended me for the role. Acting in Somaratne Dissanayake's 'Suriya Arana' (Fire fighters) and 'Samanala Thatu' made Dasun immensely popular. As a result veteran filmmaker Wasantha Obeysekere chose him for his films 'Sewwandhi' and 'Aganthukayo' (yet to be released). Speaking about the challenging scene he had to portray, Dasun said acting in 'Sudu Kalu Saha Alu' was a difficult experience. "A victim of a land mine I had to perform with one leg for a large part of the film and this was a painful experience. When we finished shooting my leg was swollen causing unbearable pain". It was also a difficult role I played in 'Samanala Thatu'. Almost the entire film was shot on dusty roads with a large cast. I had to grow my hair and spend hours on the pavement as a child of a beggar family making it another difficult role. Asked whether he would continue as an actor, little Dasun said "My greatest dream is to become an archaeologist and study about different civilisations. I want to study how different civilisations originated and how some vanished," said Dasun the student. He mentioned a special thank you to 'Principal Sir' who encourages and supports him to continue acting. The second of three sons Dasun says "my two brothers are better actors than I. The younger brother Sachin Chathuranga acts in two teledramas- Luxman Wijesekere'a 'Dangayinta Pamanai' and Jayalath Maoratne's 'Thunpath Ratawa'. "My elder brother Kasun Maduranga is a talented actor too, but he is interested in cricket" Dasun said. Dasun Madusanka said if it was not for Tissa Gunawardena Sir he would have never reached the limelight. He remembers with gratitude Somaratne Mama and Renuka Dissanayake Nenda, Sudatha Mahadivulweva Mama and Chamara Jayaweera Mama without whose support he would never have become an actor. ‘My father Priyanjith Manjula Mendis and mother Lalani Devika Fernando should be thanked for all the trouble they are undertaking to help me to continue with my acting. My father even had to leave his job to accompany me for shooting on location’ he said. Dasun's father Priyanjith Manjula Mendis speaking to TV Times said he never imagined his son to be a capable actor. "Due to our jobs we had hardly any time to watch him act in school dramas. When he spoke about his ability I thought it was just imagination. But I realised that I was wrong when I was summoned to the school by the principal to be told that Dasun was selected to conduct a programme on Sirasa TV channel. |
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