Today there is no television channel that does not have a tele drama featuring this multi-talented actor Kumara Thirimadura. His ability to portray an assortment of roles with ease, has won him accolades from every sphere in society.

Kumara has acted in about 80 stage plays, ten films and several tele dramas. Nowadays he is seen in popular stage plays like ‘Balloth Ekka Be’, ‘Nari Burathi’ and Deiyoth Danne Ne’.

The journalist turned actor recently bagged the Lux-Derana award for the best supporting actor for his role in the movie ‘Gamani’. 

 

 

About your newest award… did you expect it?

Well, I must say that I committed myself a lot for the role in Gamani. I am thankful to Col. Rathnapriya and the film’s director Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara for giving me all the support to portray my character with some credibility.  Regarding expectations, no I don’t act expecting awards.

 

How crucial are awards for an actor?

Not only for an actor, anyone in any field would be glad if their contributions are duly acknowledged. In a country like ours what matters most is the recognition and appreciation we get from our fans. I have acted mostly on stage but my major award came for my role in a film.

 

You were a journalist before taking up acting?

I must clarify that I started acting from my schooldays at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa. Later I joined the Divaina where I worked for 14 years. But destiny made me a professional actor.  Tissa Gunawardana was my first teacher in drama and theater.

I won awards for acting in dramas at school and Sunday school. I learnt art of street drama from Gamini Hattotuwegama while my first stage play was Dhamma Jagoda’s ‘Sakalajana’.  It was fellow journalist Jayantha Chandrasiri who gave me the break to act in my first tele drama ‘Akala Sandhya’. My first film was Jackson Anthony’s ‘Julietge Bhoomikawa’.

 

 

Do you pick and choose your characters?

As a professional actor I don’t have that luxury. I have to accept whatever role I get and by doing so I have been recognized as a versatile actor. Despite criticism about mega tele dramas, I can’t simply ignore them though there are questions about their quality.

 

Your order of priority… stage, tele drama or films?

Of course stage comes first. In a country that has no recognized acting school, the stage is our only place of learning. The instant feedback we get makes dramas more lively and interesting. The small screen generates immediate popularity. Personally I’d like to see myself on the big canvas.  

 

Your future projects?

Nilendra Deshapriya’s movie ‘Thanha Rathi Ranga’,  Sunil Aruna Weerasiri’s ‘Weerya’ and some new tele dramas. I have scripted tele dramas like ‘Angare Ingare’ and ‘Dennata Denna’. I am also planning to release a CD titled ‘Udekki Kolama’ soon.

 

Your family…?

I am thankful to my mother who encouraged me to become an actor. So did my father. I am also grateful to my wife Thushara. My daughters Amanda and Suchetha are studying at Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda. I have no big dreams. I know that the people love me and appreciate my talents.

I will continue to do justice to all my roles. I must also express my gratitude to all those who offered me roles in their projects.

 

 

 

 

By Vasantha Wimalasinghe