Vasanthi Chathurani
Encyclopedia
Vasanthi Chathurani is an award-winning Sri Lankan film
and teledrama actress. She made her debut as a teenager in Sumitra Peiris's Gehenu Lamai
in 1978. Her most acclaimed role in the silver screen was that of 'Nirmala' in Ganga Addara
opposite late Vijaya Kumaratunga
in 1980. She was crowned Best Actress
for her performance in this film, at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival
that year.
Chathurani also made her mark as a teledrama actress, in classics such as 'Iti Pahan' , 'Giraya' , 'Kadulla' and 'Gajaman Puwatha' . She won the Sumathi Most Popular Tele Actress Award in 1997 and the Sumathi Best Tele Actress Award in 1998 and 2002.
An extremely natural actress, Vasanthi Chathurani is one of the most successful personalities on Sri Lanka's silver and small screen.
.
in 1978. Thus began her acting career and she was signed up for several films including the award-winning Ganga Addara
, where, she as a nineteen year old played the role of a mentally-ill girl.
Her career came to a temporary halt, when she got married in 1979, but was once again welcomed by her fans with her performance in 'Adara Hasuna'. Some of her other successful films include Gehenu Lamai
, Duwata Mawaka Misa and Sudu Sevanali.
She starred in the 2003
Lester James Peiris film 'Wekande Walauwa' together with Malini Fonseka
, Sanath Gunathilake and Ravindra Randeniya
. Her latest film, 'Yahaluwo' by Sumitra Peiris is currently being filmed.
Chathurani recently got in to teledrama productions, financing successful teledramas such as 'Aga Pipi Mal', 'Sedona' and 'Ranga Soba'. All three of them were directed by Premakumara Jayawardene and written by Sumitra Rahubadde.
1980 - Sarasaviya Best Actress Award
for 'Ganga Addara
'
1997 - Sumathi Most Popular Tele Actress Award
1998 - Sumathi Best Tele Actress Award for 'Durganthaya'.
2002 - Sumathi Best Tele Actress Award for ' Kulawamiya'.
2005 - Raigam Best Tele Actress Award for 'Sedona'.
2006 - Sumathi Best Tele Actress Awardfor 'Aga Pipi Mal'.
2006 - Raigam Best Tele Actress Award for 'Aga Pipi Mal'.
Cinema of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cinema encompasses the films made in Sri Lanka. It is a fledgling industry that has struggled to find a footing since its inauguration in 1947 with Kadawunu Poronduwa produced by S.M.Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone.Sri Lankan films are usually made in the Sinhalese language, the...
and teledrama actress. She made her debut as a teenager in Sumitra Peiris's Gehenu Lamai
Gehenu Lamai
Gehenu Lamai is a 1978 Sri Lankan drama movie directed by Sumitra Peries. It introduced actress Vasantha Chathurani and was a critical and box office success.-Plot:Kusum witnesses Nimal leading a procession into their village....
in 1978. Her most acclaimed role in the silver screen was that of 'Nirmala' in Ganga Addara
Ganga Addara
Ganga Addara was a 1980 Sinhalese language film directed by Sumitra Peiris and produced by Sumathi Films. The film stars Vasanthi Chathurani and late Vijaya Kumaratunga in the lead roles. Adapted from a novel by Letitia Botejue, its script was written by veteran director Tissa Abeysekara...
opposite late Vijaya Kumaratunga
Vijaya Kumaratunga
Kovilage Anton Vijaya Kumaranatunga was a popular Sri Lankan film actor and politician, married to former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga from 1978 to his assassination in 1988.- Family life :In 1978, Kumaratunga married Chandrika Bandaranaike, daughter of the...
in 1980. She was crowned Best Actress
Sarasaviya Best Actress Award
The Sarasaviya Best Actress Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival.The award was first given in 1964...
for her performance in this film, at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival
Sarasaviya Awards
Sarasaviya Awards are the most prestigious awards presented to distinguished individuals involved with the Sinhala cinema, each year by the Sarasaviya weekly newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited , Sri Lanka in recognition of the contributions made by them to...
that year.
Chathurani also made her mark as a teledrama actress, in classics such as 'Iti Pahan' , 'Giraya' , 'Kadulla' and 'Gajaman Puwatha' . She won the Sumathi Most Popular Tele Actress Award in 1997 and the Sumathi Best Tele Actress Award in 1998 and 2002.
An extremely natural actress, Vasanthi Chathurani is one of the most successful personalities on Sri Lanka's silver and small screen.
Early life
Vasanthi Chathurani, who was born as Wasantha Doreen Peterson schooled at Holy Cross Convent, GampahaGampaha
Gampaha is an urban city in Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Gampaha District in Western Province, north of Colombo. Gampaha District is separated from Colombo mainly by the Kelani River.-Namesake:...
.
Career
Chathurani was a mere school girl when director Sumitra Peiris chose her for a lead role in Gehenu LamaiGehenu Lamai
Gehenu Lamai is a 1978 Sri Lankan drama movie directed by Sumitra Peries. It introduced actress Vasantha Chathurani and was a critical and box office success.-Plot:Kusum witnesses Nimal leading a procession into their village....
in 1978. Thus began her acting career and she was signed up for several films including the award-winning Ganga Addara
Ganga Addara
Ganga Addara was a 1980 Sinhalese language film directed by Sumitra Peiris and produced by Sumathi Films. The film stars Vasanthi Chathurani and late Vijaya Kumaratunga in the lead roles. Adapted from a novel by Letitia Botejue, its script was written by veteran director Tissa Abeysekara...
, where, she as a nineteen year old played the role of a mentally-ill girl.
Her career came to a temporary halt, when she got married in 1979, but was once again welcomed by her fans with her performance in 'Adara Hasuna'. Some of her other successful films include Gehenu Lamai
Gehenu Lamai
Gehenu Lamai is a 1978 Sri Lankan drama movie directed by Sumitra Peries. It introduced actress Vasantha Chathurani and was a critical and box office success.-Plot:Kusum witnesses Nimal leading a procession into their village....
, Duwata Mawaka Misa and Sudu Sevanali.
She starred in the 2003
2003 in film
The year 2003 in film involved some significant events. Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Pokémon Heroes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,...
Lester James Peiris film 'Wekande Walauwa' together with Malini Fonseka
Malini Fonseka
Malani Senehelatha Fonseka is an award-winning Sri Lankan film actress, also known as the "Queen of Sinhalese cinema". Her cinema career which has spanned many decades began with Tissa Liyansooriya's Punchi Baba in 1968...
, Sanath Gunathilake and Ravindra Randeniya
Ravindra Randeniya
Ravindra Randeniya is a Sri Lankan actor and politician. He rose to fame in Lester James Peries's film Desa Nisa in 1972, and was a popular actor during the 1970s and 1980s; He won the Sarasaviya Best Actor Award in 1984 , 1985 , 1989 , and 1990 .-Early life:Randeniya was born in Dalugama, Kelaniya...
. Her latest film, 'Yahaluwo' by Sumitra Peiris is currently being filmed.
Chathurani recently got in to teledrama productions, financing successful teledramas such as 'Aga Pipi Mal', 'Sedona' and 'Ranga Soba'. All three of them were directed by Premakumara Jayawardene and written by Sumitra Rahubadde.
Awards
1978 -1980 - Sarasaviya Best Actress Award
Sarasaviya Best Actress Award
The Sarasaviya Best Actress Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival.The award was first given in 1964...
for 'Ganga Addara
Ganga Addara
Ganga Addara was a 1980 Sinhalese language film directed by Sumitra Peiris and produced by Sumathi Films. The film stars Vasanthi Chathurani and late Vijaya Kumaratunga in the lead roles. Adapted from a novel by Letitia Botejue, its script was written by veteran director Tissa Abeysekara...
'
1997 - Sumathi Most Popular Tele Actress Award
1998 - Sumathi Best Tele Actress Award for 'Durganthaya'.
2002 - Sumathi Best Tele Actress Award for ' Kulawamiya'.
2005 - Raigam Best Tele Actress Award for 'Sedona'.
2006 - Sumathi Best Tele Actress Awardfor 'Aga Pipi Mal'.
2006 - Raigam Best Tele Actress Award for 'Aga Pipi Mal'.