KEERTHI RANJITH The policeman who played ‘Pinsiri’

In the seventies a young movie buff got a chance to enter Lanka Studios because he was so eager to witness a film being shot. That passion in him made him engage in minor tasks in the studio and before long he was doing small parts in movies too. To date he has acted in almost 70 films and some 300 tele dramas.

Keerthi Ranjith who later joined the Police Department has been working there for the past 23 years. But his passion for acting and arts still remains intact.

He became a household name with the role he played as ‘Pinsiri’ in And Company.

“In recent months, I worked in Mangala Avenue, Rashmi and Isiribhavaya which is being screened now. I am also working in Sarath Dharmasiri’s ‘Veenavi’. Among my noteworthy films were Deveni gamana, Parithyagaya, Adara Hasuna, Mangala Thegga, Sakwithi Danduwama, Senasuru Maruwa and others. Of the 18 films made by the late H. D. Premaratne I was there in 14,” Keerthi told Impulse.

In the tele scene, Keerthi acted with Gamini Fonseka in ‘Sudu Saha Kalu’ and also in Sonduru Nimnaya, Keli Mandala and ‘And Company’.

“In most of the projects I acted the role of police officer. I started acting with the approval of the IGP, so I had no problem officially and at the same time I discharge my official duties diligently. The role I played in And Company depicted a wellknown politician. I got good feedbacks from politicians, especially from the President.

YOUR UNFORGETTABLE ROLES?

The roles I played in Gamini Fonseka’s ‘Anthima Reya’, Kelimandala. In Isiribhawaya I play a dialogue-less role of a grandfather. In Ihirunu Kiri also I play an old man. The role of Pinsiri however is the hit character in my career.

HOW DO YOU FIND TIME TO ACT AMIDST YOUR OFFICIAL ASSIGNMENTS?

I choose flexible schedules that would not affect my official duties. I do not however have the luxury to spend weeks at locations.

FAMILY?

My wife is Chandrani Samarasinghe who is the sister of Visharada Sudath Samarasinghe. My daughters are Chandi Iresha and Rangani Madushanka while my son is Hasantha Madushanka.

AMBITION..?

To act until my last breath even after I retire from the police.

GRATITUDE?

Dr. D. B. Nihalsinghe, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Wimalanath Dissanayake, Ossie Abeygunasekara, K. A. W. Perera, Malani Fonseka and directors of all my films and tele dramas.

WEHAVE ALSO SEEN YOU SINGING ONSTAGE?

"Yes, I sing songs of CT Fernando and MS Fernando at musical shows. I studied music under Mervin Perera at Kelaniya Dharmaloka Maha Vidyalaya where I studied."