MANEL CHANDRALATHA
I deviated from comedy to serious roles
Veteran actress Manel Chandralatha who entered the film scene in the mid eighties playing comedy roles, later rose to become a character actress in movies as well as tele dramas and stage plays.“my passion for films still remains topmost in my priority list. It was the late actor Freddie Silva who helped me enter films. My first film was ‘Ali Baba Saha Horu Hathaliha’. Later I acted in ‘Satana’ and other movies. But ‘Nommara 17’ was my first film to be released in theatres,” said Manel.
ANY UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES ABOUT ‘NOMMARA 17’?”
I acted opposite Freddie Silva in the song ‘Masala Wade Obanawa Obage Kate’ in that film. I am also glad that I was able to act with veterans like Vijaya Kumaratunga in that movie. I have so far acted in more than 50 films including Newa Gilunath Band Choon, Dinuma, Okkoma Hondatai, Okkoma Kanapita, Asai Bayai, Pudumai Eth Eththai and others.
YOU ALSO ACTED IN STAGE PLAYS?
My first stage play was ‘Manthri’. Then I acted in about five other plays like Dontha Babakka, Re Bola, Chuti Gamarala. Last year I produced my first stage play ‘Rosaliya’. I hope to produce another stage play soon.
YOU WERE FORTUNATE TO BECOME A POPULAR STAR WITHIN A SHORT TIME?
Well, most of the films I acted then were box office hits. I attribute my popularity to the big stars I acted with in those films. That popularity has helped me a lot even today. That is something that money can’t buy. I won the most popular up and coming actress Sarasaviya award in 1991.
YOU HAD TO PLAY COMEDY ROLES IN MANY FILMS?
Everyone offered me comedy roles so I had to accept them, but I did justice to my characters. In most films I played the lover of Freddie Silva. But later I started playing different roles especially on television.
AS A VETERAN ACTRESS OF 30 YEARS, WHAT DIFFERENCE DO YOU SEE IN THE FIELD TODAY?
Those days we were so scared to act with veterans because of the respect we had for them. But today most newcomers have no regard for seniors. Unlike during our days, it is easy to enter films now.
WHAT ARE YOU ENGAGED WITH NOW?
Apart from acting, I am engaged in a short play series targeting school children highlighting the ill-effects of drugs. We travel to all parts of the country spreading this message.
“My passion for films still remains topmost in my priority list. It was the late actor Freddie Silva who helped me enter films in the 80s”