Jubilant Janak
Well-known character actor and dramatist Janak Premalal who won the StateTele Award for the best actor recently, has acted in more than 200 tele creations under the baton of more than 100 directors.
Janak won the best actor award for his role in Swayanjatha directed by Sudath Rohana.
Interestingly Janak has so far won all tele drama awards for the best actor for the roles he had played in Sudath Rohana’s creations.
In 2006 he won the Raigam and Sumathi awards for the best actor for the role he played in Sudath Rohana’s‘Katu Imbula’.Two years later he won the Raigam and SIGNIS awards for the best actor also for Sudath’s‘Kaluwara Gedara’.
He has also acted in films like Guru Gedara,Bahu Barya,Salelu Warama,Suwanada Danuna Jeewithe andWassanayae Senehasa.
“I studied at HoranaVidyarathna College where I teach now. I started acting as a schoolboy in a drama called‘Kathawak Athara Hadiyak’ which won the first place in the all island schools drama contest in 1976.Then I got the chance of working with veteran dramatists, before I directed my own play ‘Abuddassa Kolama’in 1984. It won several youth awards too. In 1988 I made Raja Kapuru,Rajagahe Nadagama in 2000 and Sakwala Kelambila in 2004. My father Sirisena Premalal scripted them,” he said.
Raja Kapuru completes 25 years this year?
“Yes, and I am planning to bring it back this year with artistes who acted in the original play.”
How did you enter tele dramas?
”I first played a small role in Hathpana,then another secondary role in Sudath Rohana’s‘Siw Mansala’. I played the first main role in Parakrama Niriella’s Sandagiri Pawwa in 1993. I have since then acted in more than 200 tele dramas.”
But how do you find time to act while teaching?
“I manage my time very carefully and that has not caused any problem to me. I will be retiring from my teaching career next year and I hope to involve myself more in arts after that. I have never acted the role of a Buddhist monk, so I hope I will be offered one in the future.”
About today’s tele scene and the young generation?
There are lot of questions about the quality in so-called mega tele dramas. It has caused several issues to the industry too.The only drawback I see in today’s youngsters is that they don’t try to commit themselves and make a sacrifice.You can’t gain anything without committing yourself and working hard. This new found culture might bring instant popularity but it does not mean you are talented.
Any plans to dire ct a tele drama?
Yes, may be in the future if I find a good script and a good producer.
Your family?
My wife Gnanawathie is a housewife. My daughter Sasikala is married while my son Gayanjith studies at the Moratuwa University. I am grateful to my family, my school and all the directors with whom I have worked so far.
”I first played a small role in Hathpana, then another secondary role in Sudath Rohana’s ‘Siw Mansala’. I played the first main role in Parakrama Niriella’s Sandagiri Pawwa in 1993. I have since then acted in more than 200 tele dramas.”