This week we delve into the acting career of Dinakshi Priyasad, a beloved actress and a known personality. Dinakshi won her second Sarasaviya award, winning the Most Popular Actress Award 2020 at Lux Sarasaviya Film Awards.
Dinakshi began her acting journey at the age of 2 in 1992, appearing in her father’s film “Apaye Thathpara 84,000”.
Her breakthrough came in 2009 when she starred in the tele-drama adaptation of Upul Shantha Sannasgala’s romantic novel, “Wassana Sihinaya”.
In conversation with Dinakshi here’s what we found out:
Q: Given your family background in the movie industry, did you always want to be an actress?
A: Actually, no. I wanted to pursue my studies and I didn’t want anything to do with acting when I was young. The first time I acted was when my sister refused to do the role in 2009. The production team then reached out to me. I had just finished my ALs and had some time in my hands. My parents motivated me to do it just to see what it’s like, and if I like it, I could continue, or else I could stop, so I decided to give it a shot.
Q: When did you make a conscious decision to pursue acting as a career?
A: I did not get good feedback from the first tele drama that I acted in. I was told I cannot act, and that my voice was not good, and a whole lot of criticism. However, I was not affected by this because I did not want to become an actress at that point. But after that I was offered another role, which was a very challenging and interesting role, which I really enjoyed playing and for this role, I was nominated and received the best upcoming actress award. With this, I got some motivation and wanted to see what else I can do as an actress.
Q: How would you define yourself as an actress?
A: To define myself as an actress is difficult because my acting career is only a little bit over a decade. I think I have achieved quite a lot and I am rather proud of my career.
I am also grateful for the opportunities I have received so far and all the work I have been privileged to do so far. My biggest target as an actress is to win the Best Actress award someday. Keeping that in mind, I will continue to do work that I like which gives me a good challenge.
Q: What do you think is the best discipline for an actor?
A: I think the best discipline is to stick with a project, until completion and to give your 100% to a project. I also think giving 100% to the work you do includes studying about the character and the project.
Q: What about television and cinema?
A: I like television and cinema and I have had the privilege of being part of wonderful projects both in television and in cinema. If I had to pick one, I would have to say television because that is where I started my career, so that’s where my heart is at. But the thing is every actress dreams about seeing themselves on the big screen, it’s a different feeling, so I have that dream too. Cinema is a big dream and I love it dearly.
Q: Who is your inspiration?
A: I love old Sri Lankan cinema, as it inspires me a lot. Movies done by Wasantha Obeysekara, Gamini Fonseka and many others are pure inspiration to me. I am inspired by great talents such Malani Fonseka, Swarna Mallawaarachhci, Sangeetha Weeraratne, Vijay Kumaratunga, Tony Ranasinghe who is my all-time favourite and in recent times Hemal Ranasinghe.
Pix by – Thilak Perera
Q: Is there a specific genre of word that you really like?
A: I like everything, I like to try different genres and test my limits and learn from them.
Q: Is there anyone in the movie industry, an actor or a director, you haven’t had the chance to work with but you love to?
A: I can’t pick any particular person, there are so many talented people out there that I would like to work with, and to learn from.
There are few projects I am hoping to do in the future, where I will get to work with a few such persons as well and I am very excited about it.
Q: What is your favourite project, out of everything you have done so far?
A: ‘Piyavi’ is my favourite drama that I have done so far and my favourite movie is ‘Meh Wage Adarayak’. I won six awards for it, I believe it was the turning point in my career.
Q: What do you feel about your win at the Sarasaviya awards as the Most Popular Actress?
A: It is not something I expected, I was anyway really nervous because I was performing and then as I took my seat my name was called up and I went up and received the award.
The whole thing was a very surreal experience for me and I am eternally grateful for this recognition and everyone who voted for me.
Winning a Sarasaviya award is a prestige for an actress and I am blessed to be graced with this privilege twice now .
Q: Do you think your Social media presence contributed to your win?
A: Probably, maybe I was voted in because of my performance or because of my social media presence and visibility among my fans, either way I am very grateful.
Q: What is the best advice you have received in life?
A: I worked with Ms. Sumithra Pieris, and during this time I learnt a lot from her, especially how a woman can do everything a man can do in this line of work.
She always told me to do what my heart says.
I try to do this, I listen to my heart when I need to and I do the work that I like and live my best life.
Q: Do you have any advice for newcomers to the movie industry?
A: It is a nice industry to be part of and if you want to be a part of this industry and get an opportunity go for it.
However, it is important to be dedicated.
People only see the glamour and glam and don’t see the hard work that is put into it, I think like any job it is hard and if you don’t give it your 100 percent it is very difficult to survive.
