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TV Times

Mahendra and Sangeetha in scene from ‘Mille Soya’

Mahendra Perera : An accepted exception
By Ramesh Uvais
His simple and unassuming nature seems to be the only thing constant in his otherwise busy-busy lifestyle. Mahendra Perera is widely known as a complete actor who can play any role from a roadside ruffian to a sophisticated lover and over the years he has remained unaffected by the adulation that would have swollen the heads of people of lesser balance.

Despite a gruelling shooting spell in Chandraratne Mapitigama’s latest tele drama, Mahendra is back with an infectious smile, ready for a chat.
Lighting up a cigarette, he selects a CD to offer some soulful music as the background score for a frank speak.

Mahendra may have portrayed life-like anti-social roles ranging from a mean guy to a drug addict, but the real Mahendra Perera without make-up is a nice and cool character who loves music passionately. His passion in life is music and he has the most envious collection of new and old songs, including Sinhala, Tamil, Hindi, English, Indian cultural and much more.

“My passion for music has done wonders to me. Daily in the mornings I set aside at least an hour to listen to music and move my body a bit. For me, it’s a great source of relaxation as it helps tone my body and soul, making my whole day energetic,” says Mahendra who uses his trademark endearments like ‘Machang, Loku Aiyye’ to address his near and dear ones.

Shift the subject to his school days and he opens up like a book. “Honestly, I was quite a mischievous brat at school. I had a whole heap of friends and also loads of girl friends, but I grew up nurturing dreams of some day becoming an actor,” Mahendra smiles with his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I am indebted to Sinhala cinema’s greatest film personality, Gamini Fonseka for giving me the vital break in acting. He is my godfather and hero. I never fail to remember him in my prayers,” Mahendra says crushing the stub of his cigarette.

“It was veteran Arisen Ahbudu who first introduced me to Gamini Fonseka who made me ‘Berty Malli’ in Sakwithi Suwaya, way back in 1978. I consider myself extremely privileged to have first lent my ears to the directorial instructions of a man like Gamini Fonseka,” he says stressing that even though one may possess an in-born acting talent, learning the art could certainly help polishing it up.

“I studied the subject deeply from Dr. Salaman Fonseka and later was trained under prestigious foreign dramatists like Helena Lehthimaki, who was the Producer of the Finnish MTV. I followed a three-year course under her during which we did Punthila.

I also learnt a great deal on actors, acting and the cinema world in general from Gamini Fonseka, Tony Ranasinghe, Joe Abeywickrema and other respected figures. I personally believe that the ability to absorb as fast as possible whatever you learn is the key to success.”

Can you define acting? “Well it’s a broad subject. A good actor has to be basically intelligent and aware of the industry’s technical side. He has to be flexible both mentally and physically with a good awareness about what’s happening around him. A sense of space and the know-how to use your body in front of the camera is also crucial,” Mahendra explains while I interrupt him to inquire about his dancing talents.

“You pulled off some intricate dance steps and movements at the recent Maliniye concert dancing to the tunes of ‘Kurukoo’ together with Damayanthi Fonseka. Like to comment?” “Of course, as I told you, dancing and music have been closest companions. They have certainly enriched my body language adding flesh and soul to the characters I portray. I was also the dance director in a few teledramas and films. Besides that I was also Art Director in a few creations including Pawuru Walalu,” he says placing on record that he was also part of rock bands, ‘Rattle Snake’ and ‘Unwanted Generation’ many years ago.
‘Do directors try to curb you or are you given a free hand?’

“ I always respect the views of the director who has a clear overview of the situation and character. But mercifully, my directors allow me to do a lot of on-the-spot improvisations.”

‘Are you a hot-tempered person?’ “I used to be so in the past, but now I have got it out of my system through sheer determination. I have saved a lot of heartache since doing so. Whenever I sense that I am on the wrong track, I can now control my emotions and that has certainly done wonders to me.”

‘Are you a romantic?’“ Of course, romance is inside me. I have a big stock so that I can dispense it to my wife, but as an actor and a human being especially it is natural to get attracted to the opposite sex. Like anger, I try my best to curb this instinct too,” he laughs.

The August 17- born old Thurstanite, Mahendra Shrikantha Perera made his television debut in Tharadevi and from there on made a rock steady name for himself in Diyaketa Pahana - which earned him a Sumathi award - Dandelu Gini, Bedde Senehasa, Sisila Ima, Thattu Gewal, Nethranjali, Hiru Thaniwela while making significant contributions in several films like Pura Handa Kaluwara, Aswesuma, Thani Thatuwen Piyambanna and Arumosam Wehi.

Among his future releases are Boodee Keerthisena’s Mille Soya, Sudu Salu, Doctor’s Paradise, Sudu Kalu Saha Alu, Hadawila Sakmana and Boodee’s tele drama Sathya.

On the family front, Mahendra is married to Thakshila Damayanthi and is the father of Uvin Gayanaka, Navin Chandula and Pravin Ishanka – all Wesleyites.
Have you any idea of stepping into a director’s shoes?

“Not that I have no plans but I feel there is still more acting within me. In fact a couple of producers have discussed the matter with me but a firm decision has not been taken. I’d love to do a good compact film but for the next four months my diary is virtually full,” the cheery actor says outlining details about his future dream project.

“I firmly believe that talented newcomers should be groomed to inject fresh blood into the industry. My ultimate goal in life is to some day set up a multi-purpose complex or centre with facilities to mould a new breed of actors and actresses. It could have library facilities and also serve as a meeting ground for people in the field. It will not be a profit oriented project but I wouldn’t mind paying a reasonable rent if anyone is willing to provide a suitable place.

This is an open invitation to anyone willing to back a worthy cause. Even now I train some youngsters but we are handicapped without a permanent place. My aim is to give back in return whatever I have gained from the industry,” Mahendra says while reminding that people waste so much money on unworthy causes.

Award winning actor and dramatist Jackson Anthony recently applauded Mahendra as being one of the best actors in the country today, but well-known film maker Boodee Keerthisena went a step further rating Mahendra as one of the best actors in the world.

You can take Mahendra Perera out of the actor, but surely you cannot take the actor out of Mahendra Perera. They say a good actor is like a batsman who scores a century in every match he plays, and undisputedly Mahendra Perera stands out as a natural actor who plays his best innings in whatever role he does.

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