When a person in the class of H.D.Premaratne signed up Pradeep Senanayake for a role in ‘Seilama’ about 10 years ago, it was instantly taken for granted that this guy must be worth his salt.
![Picture](/uploads/6/1/5/4/61542873/7277582.jpg?250)
Pradeep proved that he had something special in him when he clinched the Sarasaviya best supporting actor award for his acting prowess in Kinihiriya Mal and from then on roles kept on rolling in for this big made actor who possesses some gentle qualities. In the intervening years, he was offered several roles out of which he selected a few but in the past three and a half years his track record took a different turn with more offers pouring in, making him a busy, busy man in the tele industry especially. Of course, it is a known fact that Pradeep Senanayake is one of the most difficult actors to agree to an interview. It’s not because he’s swollen with pride or inaccessible, but simply because the unassuming man with a mischievous smile thinks there’s nothing noteworthy to say about him.
Pradeep wasn’t playing the lead role in ‘Kinihiriya Mal’ but the audience instinctively realized that his few scenes were powerful enough to make a big impact.
The Presidential Film Awards Jury who endorsed the audience judgment took note of Pradeep and rewarded him with a prestigious award recently.
We cornered this cool actor in Polonnaruwa where he was shooting his latest tele drama ‘Mathaka Manpetha’ and managed to convince him to open his heart out.
“I must tell you at the very outset that I never wanted to become an actor. I became an actor by accident. One day a friend of mine called Gerald asked me to accompany him to a certain place if I was doing nothing. He was the nephew of the late Mr. Duncan Fernando. We went to a house where my friend introduced me to a man in sarong. I laughed and asked him who would offer us chances to act. He then took me upstairs and discussed a lot and it took me sometime to realize that I was speaking to veteran film director H.D. Premaratne.
That’s how I was selected to play my maiden role in Seilama and thereafter was part of films like Visidela, Mandakini, Kinihiriya Mal, Salelu Warama and Adaraneeya Wssanaya,” says the Matara Rahula College old boy who was born in Bowatte in Koswatte.
How did you enter the tele drama scene where you have been a busy star in the recent past?
“Well, even here it was Mr. Premaratne who introduced me to director Tikiri Ratnayake who offered me a key role in ‘Tharu Paba’ and it became very popular among the viewers. Then came the other offers like Sanda Hiru Tharu, Pulina Prasada, Yasho Mandira, Arathi, Kedelle Ne Unusum, Aga Pipi Mal, Payawi Ran Hiru and now showing Prathama Hiru and Sudu Sela. I have been approached for some good roles in the coming days too,” he says.
Some believe that your unconventional looks match up to one of our yester year heroes Ananda Jayaratne…
“Yes, people have also told me that but honestly I have not seen Ananda Jayaratne even in films. To be frank I was not a film buff even at school or thereafter. I am a cool person who likes to lead a cool, hassle-free lifestyle. The popularity I have gained as an actor is of course exciting but I don’t try to abuse it. As actors we don’t live in dream worlds. We too have our share of problems but we cannot show them when we come in contact with people. So I smile with whom soever I meet. Don’t be surprised when I say that I have not cast my vote to any party so far. I am not interested in politics at all,” says a smiling Pradeep.
You have been offered some villainous roles too in some of the projects. Do you think you fit the bill?
“Frankly, I don’t know what I am suited or cut out for. I just do what the director tells me to do. I don’t try to be too smart on the sets and suggest changes to enhance or highlight my role. I just do the job to satisfy my director and then mind my own business. It may seem strange but that’s my style and I am honest about it.”
Are you addicted to acting?
“Not at all. I never accept an offer to act while working on a project. I think that might lose my concentration on the ongoing project. At least that’s how I feel. There was a stage when I even decided to quit acting after I witnessed the aftermath of the tsunami catastrophe, but when people who had helped me in my early stages offered me roles I have to oblige. And I am still obliging them.”
Our tele dramas take a long period to complete and that makes you a busy man. Does that affect you in any way?
“The technology in our country is certainly not on par with those in other developed countries and that perhaps forces us to work for longer periods. It certainly is a blow to my personal life but what’s to be done, it is part and parcel of my career.”
How will you describe the man called Pradeep Senanayake?
“Oh, he is just as ordinary as you and me. A man who goes about wearing a pair of rubber slippers, when he is not acting. A typical Sinhalese who goes to the weekly fair looking for good fruits and vegetables,” he laughs.
But Pradeep will have more reason to laugh when some of his promising tele dramas are released in the near future and hope they may fetch him more awards.