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Practise make acting perfect – Sashaya Devnavi 

04 Apr 2022

By Kusumanjalee Thilakarathna PHOTOS © NISHANTHA SRINATH   Sashaya Devnavi Apsara, a young actress who has contributed to many teledramas and films, is a nine-year-old student from Diyagama Junior College. She is a very skilled dancer who loves traditional as well as freestyle dancing and says her ambition is to become a dancing teacher and train children with the best dancing skills.    Sashaya, can you tell us more about yourself?   I am nine years old and I am currently studying in grade 5. I have been acting in movies and tele-dramas since I was six. My favourite thing to do is dancing and I really enjoy it. I also like to draw and write stories. I live with my parents and my younger brother who is seven. He also attends the same school I do.   You told us your ambition is to become a dancing teacher. Why is that?   I want to do something I really enjoy. I am mastering many skills under Mr. Lalith Parakum and he trains me really well. I want to be able to share my skills and knowledge with other children so that they will also be able to enjoy it like I do.   What can you share about your experience in the tele-drama field? I am impatiently waiting to watch the latest teledrama I acted in, it will be telecasted very soon. This drama ‘Sith’ was directed by Mr. Sanjula Diwaratne and will be telecasted on TV Derana from April. I played the role of an innocent girl named Paramie who can’t walk and spends her days in a wheelchair. That’s the best experience I have had in the field so far.  I also acted in a DVD movie based on the famous children’s story ‘Hath Pethi Mala’. Aruna Jayaratne’s ‘Sakkaran’ was another drama where I learnt a lot of skills. I played the role of Jayawathi and it was an excellent opportunity for me to demonstrate my skills in dancing. The story was built around a dancing tradition. My acting experiences in the teledramas ‘International’ and ‘Aryawanshika’ have also left me with many unforgettable memories.   You are a presenter too. Could you tell us about that?   Yes. Apart from movies and films, I also have experience as a presenter at TV Didula. I have taken part in many episodes of Hiru Tele Cinema Siththam. Many of these were main characters. I have also done a lot of commercials and have been featured on a lot of music videos.    What was your first acting experience?   I was first chosen to act in the film ‘Subha Theraniyo’ directed by Mr. Sumith Kumara. It was the main role but I learned a lot being on that set. It gave me the confidence to take up more acting opportunities.    Is traditional dancing your favourite?   Yes, but I also like freestyle dancing a lot too.    What are your other hobbies?   I like to read and write stories when I have free time. I am working on a few stories and I plan to publish my first book on Children’s Day this year. My favourite books to read are stories by Sybil Wettasinghe.   You are also attending Dhamma School. What can you tell us about your achievements there?   Well, I attend Diyagama Khemananda Dhamma School and I have been able to receive distinctions in my Dhamma School exams many times. I learn good qualities and values there.    What makes you a good actress and a dancer?   Dedication and constant practice. I practice my dancing skills every day. That’s what helps me to be good at dancing. The same goes for acting too.   You said your birthday is coming up. Do you have any special plans?   Yes, I am looking forward to my birthday because I am planning to plant 150 trees on my birthday this year. My parents are helping me to arrange this event.    What are your future plans?   I am taking part in the biggest dance festival in Sri Lanka on 6 April at Nelum Pokuna. We are practising and rehearsing for that event these days and I am very excited about it. There were a few competitions I took part in recently.  Most of all, my dream is to become a person who can help other people. I try to help sick and wounded animals I come across. Sometimes I think I can become a veterinarian who takes care of injured animals.    Who are your supporters?   My parents, mainly. My dear school Principal and teachers always help me to be up to date with my school work when I have to go for shoots. Also the uncles and aunts in the teledrama field who have given me great opportunities to gather a lot of experience.  I also want to say a big thank you to all those who send me best wishes on my social media accounts, which are handled by my parents. Those wishes give me a lot of strength and courage to continue with the good work I do.   


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