This week, the Youth Observer reached out to another talented soul. Upcoming actress and model Ashani Dinuththara.
Ashani schooled at Swarnapali Vidyalaya Anuradhapura and moved to Colombo to pursue modeling and acting. She started off starring in a few music videos and landing commercials and modeling gigs until she was presented with a golden opportunity to be a part of ‘Gilihunu Aththa’ earlier in 2022, which made her fall in love with acting.
In conversation with Ashani, here’s what we found out;
Q: How did you get into acting?
A: I started my journey as a model and, I always wanted to be a part of a tv series and become an actress and I am so glad I finally got the opportunity to do it. I wanted to learn acting and get better at it so I joined a Mahindra Perera’s acting school and I am currently studying there. This is when I got the opportunity to take part in ‘Ata pass’.
Q: Tell us your experience with ‘Ata pass’?
A: This is the first time I got to play a main role in the television screen and it was definitely a very challenging experience. But the director and the crew were very supportive and taught me and the rest of the cast everything. All eight of us were newcomers and we all had a lot to learn and grow. The crew helped us a lot and it was genuinely a wonderful experience.
Q: Do you like to get into cinema?
A: Yes. My next dream is to be a part of a movie.
Q: What do you think about acting as a career in Sri Lanka?
A: I believe, while art is for the benefit of the mass population in a society, recognizing cinema and acting as career choice is important for the improvement of art and for the sustainability of the cinema as an industry.
Q: Personally, what is your favourite thing about movies?
A: I love everything about movies. I am someone who watches a lot of movies, including Sinhala, Tamil, Hindi and others and I like the different styles, the different versions of storytelling, the techniques of delivery and all of it. Basically a movie/film is a fantastic production.
Q: What do you think about your acting career so far?
A: I am still beginning. I am doing my best and being recognized and I like it. I am happy with where I am. However, I wish to learn more, fix my mistakes deliver to the best of my capacity. Basically, I wish to become a talented actress in the industry in the future.
Q: What is the best thing about being an actress?
A: So far it is great. People recognize me, and appreciate the work I have done. It is nice to be praised. However, I would love constructive criticism too.
Q: What kind of actress would you like to become?
A: I would like to become a cinema, character actor. That doesn’t mean I do not like television or theater.
I love any form of art and is happy to be part of anything. I am simply happy to do any challenging role that resonates with me and is grateful for all opportunities I have gotten so far and will continue to get in the future.
Q: What is the best advice you have received so far?
A: I constantly share the work I do with my teacher, Mahindra Perera and he gives me a lot of advice and a lot of pointers on how to improve and I consider each and every word of this advice to be precious to me. He is my biggest critic and biggest supporter.
Q: Who is your inspiration in acting ?
A: I am inspired by my teacher Mahindra Perera. He is an amazing actor and I hope to be able to be as good as him one day.
Q: Is your family supportive of acting?
A: I was a model first, initially, no one in my family liked it, but later they realized my talent and now they are very supportive. I am grateful to have them.
Q: Is there a director or an actress or actor you would like to work with?
A: I don’t have anyone I prefer to work with in particular, I am open to opportunities with talented individuals and those who challenge me and help me improve.
Q: Do you have new and exciting projects planned for 2023?
A: I have a few projects coming up, including some commercials, and music videos and a few more.
She further added that while she is from Anuradhapura and later moved to Colombo there are many those who supported her to have a footing in the acting industry and she is grateful for them.
She specifically reminded the support of her dear friend Lakkitha Ukwatta and his family, “they took me in and took care of me and I would not be here without their love and support,” she added.