Mahendra Shrikantha Perera (born 17 August 1956: ), is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. One of the most influential actors in Sinhala cinema, Mahendra has performed from drama to comedy in many blockbuster films.

Personal life He was born on 17 August 1956 in Mount-Lavinia, Sri Lanka as the youngest of the family. His father Vincent Perera, was a store manager at the Browns, and his mother Soma Weerasekera, was a matron at several government hospitals. He has two older sisters, Priyanthi Damayanthi and Shivanthi Kalyani. He first studied at Highland College, Nugegoda. Later he went to Maharagama Vidyakara College and Thurstan College, Colombo.

He is married to Thakshila Damayanthi, daughter of Mr. Nandadasa who is a financial advisor. The couple has three sons.

Career During his life at Thurstan, he met a friend called Kalani Perera, who later became a violinist. They both studied music under the music teacher Yogananda Wijesundera where Mahendra learned violin, water wave, tabla and xylophone. After school life, he joined a rock band in Mount Lavinia and played guitar. When his father did not succeed his intentions, Mahendra ran away from home and planted potatoes with a cousin in Haputale. During this period, he met the writer and lecturer, Upul Shantha Sannasgala. Meanwhile, the father came to Haputale brought Mahendra back to Colombo.

After return home, he joined Dhamma Jagoda's theater classes and learned acting. However, after few monthns, he clashed with Dhamma saying it was boring only to learn acting in 'Sinhabahu' and 'Maname'. Then he went to a drama course conducted by Dr. Solomon Fonseka and learned the theatrical techniques introduced by the Russian playwright Konstain Stanislavsky. Meanwhile, his first stage play was Ahimi Jeevitha staged in Lionel Wendt. Mahendra met with Arisen Ahubudu who first introduced him to Gamini Fonseka. His maiden cinematic experience came through 1978 film Sakwithi Suwaya directed by Gamini Fonseka and played the role ‘Berty Malli’. Under Helena Lehthimaki, he followed a three-year course during which they did Punthila.

Then Mahendra played powerful roles in Shakespeare's plays Julius Caesar and Gimhane Reyaka Sihinayak produced by Tony Ranasinghe. During the same time, he acted in the blockbuster film Sagarayak Meda. He also appeared in several stage plays including Ath, Ahimi Jeevitha and Sergeant Nallathambi. His maiden television acting came through Tharadevi. Since then, he acted in the serials such as Sudu Saha Kaḷu, Niyan Ukussō, Dhavala Rāthriya, Diya Kæṭa Pahaṇa, Hadavila Sakmana, Daṇḍē Lū Gini, Diyasēna, Vesmuhuṇu and Golu Thaththa.

However his most notable appearances came through cinema, where he continued to be one of the most influential cinema actors in Sinhala cinema. He dominated many blockbusters such as Sihina Dēśayen, Asvæsuma, Bahubūthayō, Sudu Kaḷu, Arumōsam Væhi, Mille Soyā, Adḍress Nǣ, Kosthāpal Puñyasōma, 28 and Gindari. He won a merit award for the role in the serial Diyaketa Pahana. Apart from acting, Perera also worked as the art director in the film Julietge Bhumikawa and Pawuru Walalu. He was also the assistant director of the film Koti Waligaya.

Selected television serials

Abuddassa Kalaya Amuthu Minissu Ath Kanda Lihiniya Bhavathra Charithayakata Paata Denna Dadakeli Arana Dande Lu Gini Deyyo Sakki Dhawala Kanya Dhavala Rathriya Diya Keta Pahana Diya Matha Ruwa Diyasena Duvili Maliga Ekama Raene Kurullo Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli Golu Thaththa (2016) Hadawila Sakmana Herda Sakshiya Hiru Thanivela Ingammaruwa Itu Devi Vimana Jeewithaya Dakinna Kampitha Vil Maama Haa Ma Mage Kaviya Mata Denna Mahamera Paamula Me Sonduru Piyapath Nethra Mangallaya Niyan Ukusso Pata Veeduru Pinkanda Simona Ralla Veralata Adarei Samartha Sanda Amawakai Sanda Nathi Reya Sasankara Satharadenek Senpathiyo Sathyaya Sisila Ima Star Sri lanka Histhanak Sudu Saha Kalu Sulanga Matha Mohothak (2013 - 2014) Thalaya Soyana Geethaya Thattu Gewal Uththamavi Wanawadule Wasanthaya Weda Hamine Yakada Pahanthira

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref.1997VisidelaSumith1997Gini Avi Saha Gini KeliSammy1998Anthima Reya1998Julietge BhumikawaSupun. also as art director.1999Mandakini2000SarojaSirisena2000Sanda Yahanata2000Anuragaye AnanthayaTerrance2001AswesumaHead hunter2001Purahanda KaluwaraVillage officer2002BahubuthayoLanty2002Mage Wam AthaPhotographer2002Arumosam WahiBindu2003Thani Thatuwen PiyabannaMechanic2003Sonduru DadabimaRanasinghe2003Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak2003Sudu SaluBandu 2004Mille SoyaPradeep2004Randiya DaharaKulatunga2005Sulanga Enu PinisaSoldier2005Sudu Kalu Saha AluArmy Ajith2005Asani WarshaPatrick Bappa2008MachanRuan2008Heart FMMedia Manager2008Siri Raja SiriGune, Sirimal's father2010Bambara WalallaMel2010Ira Handa YataNimal2010Thank You BertySanda's father2010How I Wonder What You Are2011King HuntherHector2011GamaniMahendra2012Super SixMadaya2012MathaGalariya2012Kusa PabhaRoyal Servant2013Bomba Saha RosaGotta2013AbhinikmanaSomadasa2014Kosthapal PunyasomaKosthapal Punyasoma2014Ko Mark No MarkProf. Amaraweera2015PravegayaMahen2015SpandanaMahendra Sami2015GindariLanty2015Address NaChaplin2016Hora PoliceSeargent Suwandarathna / Tiger2016Motor BicycleManju2017Sulanga Gini AranHuman organ trafficker201728Abasiri2017Appata SiriMahamudalige Ranaweera / Suraweera2017KaalaHeen Kurutta Nilame2018VaishnaveeSimon 2018 Punchi AndareAnadare's Father 2018Davena VihagunSlaughter house owner 2018Athuru Mithuru Hari Apuru 2019Bhavatharana2019Weli PawuruSisira Ekanayake2019President Super StarVijitha Mapalagama2022Night Rider2022Hithumathe JeewitheRaja2022Gindari 2Lanty2023Vedi Nowadina Lamai2023Dada ImaSunil2023Kathuru MithuruWilson 'barber' 2023 Paradise Inspector Sergeant Bandara 2024 1970 Love Story2024Sihinayaki Adare2024Hora UncleRanjith2024Passportnotorious agent2024Buffalo Travels2025 Theja Ranjith Welivitiya2025MariaWilly 'Captain'PilimathalawweRicky DeenUpali

Awards and accolades He has won several awards at the local cinema, stage drama festivals and television festivals.

Sarasaviya Awards

|| 2006 ||| Randiya Dahara || Best Supporting Actor ||

Presidential Film Awards

|| 2006 ||| Asani Warsha || Best Supporting Actor ||

References

External links

http://www.asiapacificscreenacademy.com/nomsarchive/mahendra-perera/

ජනප්‍රිය නළු මහේන්ද්‍ර පෙරේරා රසවත් කතාබහක..