GIRIRAJ the man for all seasons

"I like all the fields I am involved in but naturally I love the stage most. As a professional actor, what matters most to me is my character to which I do justice always"

Some actors catapult to star status not because of their star appeal but due to their sheer talent. Multi-talented actor, scriptwriter and director Giriraj Kaushalya is one such actor whose name ‘Kaushalya' also means ‘talent'.

In the nineties Giriraj or Gira as he is lovingly known among his colleagues, had the habit of watching stage plays in which his elder brother acted. He was so familiar with the dialogues of those dramas too. But during one such visits to the theatre he was destined to stand in for an actor who had failed to turn up that day. And today he has proved his class beyond doubt that he is born to act.

‘DUKGANNARALA’ WAS YOUR FIRST DRAMA?

Well, yes… but I had earlier acted in dramas organised by my sister in the Kolonnawa area. I also acted in Sunday school dramas at the Sri Sumangala Daham Pasala. My brother is Lalith Janakantha. I was forced to act for an absentee in

Chat ‘Dukgannarala' on the request of Prasannajith Abeysuriya without any prior rehearsal. Later I acted in Meepura Wesiyo, Yadam, Antigone, Hima Kumari and others.

HOWDID YOU ENTER THE TELE DRAMA SCENE?

I was working together with Sathischandra Edirisinghe at the Mahaweli Authority. He offered me a role in his ‘Namal Golla' tele drama. Then he got me a role in his next tele drama ‘Kokila Ginna' too. That paved the way for me to enter the tele drama industry. Among the roles I did on the small screen I always cherish the characters I played as Kuruneru in Isuru Bavana, Lucas Mudalali in Thaksalawa, Sam Uncle in Ama and Bunty in Sihina Puraya. Some of these roles brought me awards too.

YOUARE ALSO A FINE SCRIPTWRITER…?

That was my in-born talent. I used to write humorous stories while studying at Kelaniya Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya. I am grateful to Jayaprakash Sivagurunathan who gave me the chance to work as assistant director in Nonawarune Mahathwarune. I was permitted to introduce hilarious dialogues to this script with the permission of scriptwriter Tony Ranasinghe. Then I wrote the scripts and directed Kathura, Ethuma etc. which became extremely popular.

WHY DIDN’T YOU ATTEMPT ANOTHER FILM DIRECTION AFTER THE HIGHLYSUCCESSFUL ‘SIKURU HATHE’?

I had been so busy with my acting assignments which haven't given me enough time to focus on another film script. I hope to do one at least this year.

ARE YOU A SINGER OR MUSICIAN?

Both.. though I have not studied the art and I don't wish to call myself a singer anyway.

THE FIELD YOU LIKE MOST?

I like all the fields I am involved in, but naturally I love the stage most. As a professional actor, what matters most to me is my character to which I do justice at all times.

YOU HAVE ALSO PLAYED SERIOUS ROLES, HAVEN’T YOU?

Of course, I have done a tele drama on a Buddhist theme. Then I acted as a Buddhist monk in Somaratne Dissanayake's movie ‘Siri Perakum'. It was a challenging role.

YOUR FAMILY?

My wife and I worked at the Mahaweli but we left in 1998. I have two daughters – Kavindya Nilupuli and Amandya Uthpali who are still studying but showing artistic talents.