From the day he took to the stage as a pre-grade student, Ranjan Prasanna has been growing immensely, showing great potential in many artistic spheres.

Ranjan who bagged the SIGNIS award for the best assistant director for his contributions to the popular movie ‘Sinhawalokanaya’, is also the director of the hit tele drama ‘Sihina Puraya’ which is being telecast at 7.30 pm on Sirasa TV on weekdays.

 

How did all this begin?

Well, I acted in plays like ‘Andare Seeni Kewa’ and ‘Amba Sevana’ when I was a Montessori student. Then at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa I was groomed by our beloved teacher Tissa Gunawardana who guided us to win accolades at inter school competitions.

 

You also acted in several stage plays later on?

I acted in Jayalal Rohana’s ‘Subodhi Mathawa’, Robo Baba, Diriya Kedella, Prasanna Jayakody’s ‘Sevaneli Saha Minissu’, Palitha Silva’s ‘Kaspa’ In addition to acting I also engaged in lighting, sound management and studied music at school. In 1991 I won an award for the best actor in the short film Sarungalaya. I have also won the state award (Kaspa) and best actor awards in inter-school drama competitions.

 

As a director?

I first directed a single epsode tele drama ‘Palu Thani Hudakalawa’. Then I directed another 110-episode tele drama. I am also the director of ‘Sihina Puraya’ which is being telecast now. I followed a course on film-making at the Jayawardenepura University and at the National Film Corporation. It is during this period that I came to know Nalan Mendis and Sandhya Mendis.

 

 

Since then I worked in about 17 projects as the second assistant director. It was Daminda Madawala who introduced me to films as second assistant director. I worked in film projects like Mille Soya as first assistant director  followed by As Wesuma, Boradiya Pokuna and Sonduru Dadabima. After meeting Sanath Gunathilake I became the chief assistant director in his movie ‘Ekamath Eka Rateka’ and other productions like Julia, Ira Handa Yata and others.

 

What’s your view about mega tele dramas?

It is not something unique to us. Such lengthy tele dramas exist in other parts of the world as well. Oshin is a fine example. What matters most is whether a creation could entertain the audience and not whether it is a short and long tele drama.

 

What projects keep you busy these days?

Besides Sihina Puraya, I serve as production coordinator in several tele projects. Another tele serial titled ‘Dutimi Hiru Amawaka’ will unspool on the small screen soon.

 

Your family?

My father is Noel Fernando, mother Lalitha Padmini and sisters Niluka and Niroshika. My wife Sucharitha Nadeeshani is a drama and theatre teacher. Our daughter is Rushandi.

 

 

By Vasantha Wimalasinghe