Mahendra Perera

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Mahendra Perera
මහේන්ද්‍ර පෙරේරා
Born (1956-08-17) 17 August 1956 (age 65)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationThurstan College, Colombo
OccupationActor, Presenter, Dramatist
Years active1982–present
Spouse(s)Thakshila Damayanthi
ChildrenGayanaka Perera
Chandula Perera
Pravin Ishanka[1]
Parents
  • Vincent Perera (father)
  • Soma Weerasekera (mother)
AwardsBest Actor
Best Supporting Actor

Mahendra Shrikantha Perera (born 17 August 1956: Sinhala: මහේන්ද්‍ර පෙරේරා), is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[2] One of the most influential actors in Sinhala cinema, Mahendra performed from drama to comedy in many blockbuster films.[3]

Personal life[]

He was born on 17 August 1956 in Mount-Lavinia, Sri Lanka as the youngest of the family. His father Vincent Perera, was a store manager at the Browns, and his mother Soma Weerasekera, was a waitress at several government hospitals. He has two older sisters, Priyanthi Damayanthi and Givanthi Kalyani. He first studied at Highland College, Nugegoda. Later he went to Maharagama Vidyakara College and Thurstan College, Colombo.[4]

He is married to Thakshila Damayanthi, daughter of Mr.Nandadasa- a decorated financial advisor. The couple has three sons, Uvin, Navin and Ishanka – all Wesleyites. The eldest son, Uvin works in the tourism industry. Naven is currently residing in Australia while the Youngest, Ishanka works as an Interior Architect.[5]

Career[]

During his life at Thurstan, he met a friend called Kalani Perera, who later became a violinist. They both studied music under the music teacher Yogananda Wijesundera where Mahendra learned violin, water wave, tabla and xylophone. After school life, he joined a rock band in Mount Lavinia and played guitar. When his father did not succeed his intentions, Mahendra ran away from home and planted potatoes with a cousin in Haputale. During this period, he met the writer and lecturer, Upul Shantha Sannasgala. Meanwhile, the father came to Haputale brought Mahendra back to Colombo.[4]

After return home, he joined Dhamma Jagoda's theater classes and learned acting. However, after few monthns, he clashed with Dhamma saying it was boring only to learn acting in 'Sinhabahu' and 'Maname'. Then he went to a drama course conducted by Dr. Solomon Fonseka and learned the theatrical techniques introduced by the Russian playwright Konstain Stanislavsky. Meanwhile, his first stage play was Ahimi Jeevitha staged in Lionel Wendt.[6] Mahendra met with Arisen Ahubudu who first introduced him to Gamini Fonseka. His maiden cinematic experience came through 1978 film Sakwithi Suwaya directed by Gamini Fonseka and played the role ‘Berty Malli’.[7] Under Helena Lehthimaki, he followed a three-year course during which they did Punthila.[4]

Then Mahendra played powerful roles in Shakespeare's plays Julius Caesar and Gimhane Reyaka Sihinayak produced by Tony Ranasinghe. During the same time, he acted in the blockbuster film Sagarayak Meda. He also appeared in several stage plays including Ath, Ahimi Jeevitha and Sergeant Nallathambi. His maiden television acting came through Tharadevi. Since then, he acted in the serials such as Sudu Saha Kaḷu, Niyan Ukussō, Dhavala Rāthriya, Diya Kæṭa Pahaṇa, Hadavila Sakmana, Daṇḍē Lū Gini, Diyasēna, Vesmuhuṇu and Golu Thaththa.[4]

However his most notable appearances came through cinema, where he continued to be one of most influential cinema actors in Sinhala cinema. He dominated many blockbusters such as Sihina Dēśayen, Asvæsuma, Bahubūthayō, Sudu Kaḷu, Arumōsam Væhi, Mille Soyā, Adḍress Nǣ, Kosthāpal Puñyasōma, 28 and Gindari.[8] He won a merit award for the role in the serial Diyaketa Pahana.[5] Apart from acting, Perera also worked as the art director in the film Julietge Bhumikawa and Pawuru Walalu.[5] He was also the assistant director of the film Koti Waligaya.[4]

Selected television serials[]

  • Abuddassa Kalaya[9]
  • Amuthu Minissu[10]
  • Ath Kanda Lihiniya
  • Bhavathra[11]
  • Charithayakata Paata Denna[12]
  • Dadakeli Arana[13]
  • Deyyo Sakki[14]
  • Dhawala Kanya [15]
  • Diya Matha Ruwa [16]
  • Duvili Maliga[17]
  • Ekama Raene Kurullo[18]
  • Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli[19]
  • Golu Thaththa (2016)[20]
  • Herda Sakshiya[21]
  • Hiru Thanivela[22]
  • Ingammaruwa
  • Itu Devi Vimana[23]
  • Jeewithaya Dakinna [24]
  • Kampitha Vil[25]
  • Maama Haa Ma[26]
  • Mage Kaviya Mata Denna [27]
  • Mahamera Paamula
  • Me Sonduru Piyapath[28]
  • Nethra Mangallaya[29]
  • Pata Veeduru[30]
  • Pinkanda Simona [31]
  • Ralla Veralata Adarei
  • Samartha[32]
  • Sanda Amawakai[33]
  • Sanda Nathi Reya[34]
  • Satharadenek Senpathiyo [35]
  • Sathyaya [36]
  • Sisila Ima[37]
  • Star Sri lanka Histhanak[38]
  • Sulanga Matha Mohothak (2013 - 2014)
  • Thalaya Soyana Geethaya[39]
  • Thattu Gewal[40]
  • Uththamavi[41]
  • Wanawadule Wasanthaya[42]
  • Weda Hamine
  • Yakada Pahanthira[43]

Filmography[]

Year Film Role Ref.
1981 First entrance prisoner
1982 Bertie 'Malli'
1982 Newton
1986
1991 Wijesiri
1993 'England Ambassador' actor
1993 787
1995
1996
1997
1997 Visidela Sumith [44]
1997 Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli Sammy
1998 Anthima Reya [45]
1998 Julietge Bhumikawa Supun. also as art director.
1999 Pawuru Walalu Anthony
1999
1999
1999 Mandakini [46]
2000 Saroja Sirisena
2000 Sanda Yahanata [47]
2000 Terrance [48]
2001 Aswesuma Head hunter
2001 Purahanda Kaluwara Village officer [49]
2002 Bahubuthayo Lanty
2002 Mage Wam Atha Photographer
2002 Arumosam Wahi Bindu [50]
2003 Thani Thatuwen Piyabanna Mechanic
2003 Sonduru Dadabima Ranasinghe
2003 Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak
2003 Bandu [51]
2004 Mille Soya Pradeep
2004 Randiya Dahara Kulatunga
2005 Sulanga Enu Pinisa Soldier
2005 Sudu Kalu Saha Alu Army Ajith
2005 Asani Warsha Patrick Bappa
2008 Michael
2008 Machan Ruan
2008 Heart FM Media Manager
2008 Siri Raja Siri Gune, Sirimal's father [52]
2010 Bambara Walalla Mel
2010 Ira Handa Yata Nimal
2010 Thank You Berty Sanda's father
2010 How I Wonder What You Are [53]
2011 King Hunther Hector [54]
2011 Gamani Mahendra
2012 Super Six Madaya
2012 Matha Galariya
2012 Kusa Pabha Royal Servant
2013 Bomba Saha Rosa Gotta
2013 Abhinikmana Somadasa
2014 Kosthapal Punyasoma Kosthapal Punyasoma
2014 Ko Mark No Mark Prof. Amaraweera
2015 Pravegaya Mahen
2015 Spandana Mahendra Sami
2015 Gindari Lanty
2015 Address Na Chaplin
2016 Hora Police Seargent Suwandarathna / Tiger
2016 Motor Bicycle Manju
2017 Sulanga Gini Aran Human organ trafficker
2017 28 Abasiri
2017 Appata Siri Mahamudalige Ranaweera / Suraweera [55]
2017 Kaala Heen Kurutta Nilame
2018 Vaishnavee Simon
2018 Punchi Andare Anadare's Father
2018 Davena Vihagun Slaughter house owner
2018 Athuru Mithuru Hari Apuru
2019 Weli Pawuru Sisira Ekanayake [56]
2019 President Super Star Vijitha Mapalagama [57]
TBD Theja [58]
TBD Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo [59]
TBD Anora [60]
TBD Girivassipura Pilimathalawwe [61]
TBD
TBD 1970 Love Story
TBD Hora Uncle [62]
TBD [63]
TBD Adventures of Ricky Deen Ricky Deen
TBD Gindari 2 Lanty [64]
TBD Hithumathe Jeewithe Raja [65]
TBD Kidnap' Upali [66]
TBD Night Rider [67]
TBD Passport [68]
TBD Kathuru Mithuru [69]
TBD Vedi Nowadina Lamai [70]
TBD Maria [71]
TBD Number 9 [72]

Awards and accolades[]

He has won several awards at the local cinema, stage drama festivals and television festivals.[6]

Sarasaviya Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2006 Randiya Dahara Best Supporting Actor Won

Presidential Film Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2006 Asani Warsha Best Supporting Actor Won [73]

References[]

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External links[]

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