KUSUM ADDICTED TO ACTING

SEASONED ACTRESS KUSUM MALDENIYA WHO ENTERED THE ACTING SCENE VIA STAGE PLAYS MORE THAN TWO DECADES S AGO, HAS BECOME A HOUSEHOLD LD NAME TODAY. TODAY SHE IS BEING SEEN IN TELE DRAMAS S LIKE ‘WEHILIHINIYO’ AND ‘ISURU SANGRAMAYA’.

YOU MADE IN ROADS VIA STAGE PLAYS…?

Yes, it was in 1991 that I made my acting debut in Wimal Geeganage’s ‘Dakune Siddhartha’. Thereafter I acted in more than 40 stage plays. I also played a lead role in my own stage production ‘Juriya Mamai’.

YOUR TELEDRAMA DEBUT?

Sudath Rohana offered me a role in ‘Avindu Andura’ in 1994. Since then I have acted in about 75 tele dramas apart from 20 single episode tele dramas. I also produced a tele drama called ‘Muthu Pini Warusa’ and a children’s drama ‘Amba Yahaluwek’ which was staged more than 600 times in schools. Filmwise I acted in a few movies. But I respect and adore all three media.

YOUR VIEWS ABOUT MEGA TELE DRAMAS?

I agree that some mega tele dramas have problems in terms of quality, probably due to the length.

ARTISTES THEN AND NOW?

Unlike in the past artistes are doing well today. Although some simply come and go, there are others who have made a name for themselves. In the past artistes were a disciplined lot but newcomers tend to be more disorganized and many don’t respect their seniors. Some even don’t know senior artistes by name. This is a tragic situation.

WE DON’T HAVE PROFESSIONAL ACTING SCHOOLS HERE. HOW DOES IT AFFECT NEWCOMERS?

It is indeed a disadvantage but newcomers can learn a lot from their seniors in the field. But for those who come via stage plays, it is certainly an education.

YOUR DREAMS…?

To continue playing good roles and to produce another stage play. I will be out of the country on a holiday from mid January next year.

YOUR FAMILY..?

I lost my husband Newton Perera 23 years ago. I have two sons – Sahan Perera and Manjula Perera and one daughter Lalani Perera.