Bandu Samarasinghe

Kala Bhushana Bandusena Samarasinghe, popularly known as Bandu (බන්දු සමරසිංහ, born 22 November 1952), is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.[2][3] One of the most popular comedians in Sinhala cinema,[4] Bandu is best known for comedy roles in several blockbuster film franchises such as Re Daniel Dawal Migel, Cheriyo, Jolly Halo as well as Somy Boys.[5] In addition to acting, he also worked as a director, scriptwriter, singer, lyricist and producer. In April 2022, he was appointed as the Consul General in Milan, Italy replacing Neela Wickramasinghe who died while serving in the relevant position.[6] However, it was revealed that he himself would not accept as the Consul General in Milan due to disappointment of the government’s conduct.[7]

Bandu Samarasinghe
බන්දු සමරසිංහ
Born
Bandusena Samarasinghe

(1952-11-22) November 22, 1952
Kegalle, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationSt. Mary's College, Kegalle St. Servatius' College
Alma materSt. Servatius' College
Occupation(s)Actor, director, producer, singer, screenplay writer
Years active1971-present
Political partySri Lanka Podujana Peramuna[1]
Spouse
Swarna Samarasinghe
​
(m. 1980)​
Children3
Parents
  • Podi Mahaththya (father)
  • Lellagaha Goda Iskole Hamine (mother)
AwardsKala Bhushana

Personal life

Bandu was on born on 22 November 1952 in a family of five children. His father Kegalle Podi Mahaththya (1917-1980) was a mechanic and his mother Lellagaha Goda Iskole Hamine (1925-2007) was a teacher. His preschool education came through St. Savior Convent and secondary education by St. Mary's College, Kegalle.[8] He is a B-grade singer in Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

Bandu is married to Swarna Samarasinghe where the couple has two daughters; Rasoga and Hiranga, and one son, Kumara Kanchana, who is also an actor and singer. Kanchana and Rasoga also acted in Bandu's fourth cinema direction Peeter One. In mid 2018, Kanchana released his first music video Sura Dewliye.[9][10]

Career

as an actor

Starting as early as 1971 at the age of 17 or so, Bandu started his cinema career with Sadahatama Oba Mage. He acted in slapstick comedies along with Freddie Silva in the 1980s. He acted in more than 98 Sri Lankan films up to 2018. Almost 95 percent of the films were comedies and very few were dramas.[11][12]

He started stage drama career with the play No Problem directed by Nilanthi Dhammika and produced by Niroshan Devapriya. Its maiden show was staged at Nithyanjal in Kandana on February 26, 2000.[13]

Bandu Samarasinghe and Tennison Cooray were able to build a formidable comic duo combination and both of them act number of films together such as Ra Daniyel Dawal Mige, Cheriyo, Kolompoor, Somy Boys, James Bond and Thank You Berty. Bandu acted several iconic roles in Sinhala cinema such as "Daniel" in Ra Daniel Dawal Migel, "Marmite" in Cheerio Doctor and "Ikke Karolis" in political comedy Parliament Jokes. In 2019, he was awarded as the best actor in a comic role in Derana Film Awards.

In 2018, Tennison acted in the film Yama Raja Siri with Bandu for the first time in 10 years.[14]

As a director

Before his comedy partner, Tennyson Cooray moved to direction in 2013, Bandu started to showcase his talents in direction. His first direction film Rodaya released in 1995 and gained much attraction.[15][16] In 1997, he made the film Pemmal Mala and then Left Right Sir in 2004. In 2010, he made his maiden television serial Dara Garaj which gained huge popularity.

In 2013, Bandu directed the comedy blockbuster Peter One where he introduced his son Kanchana and second daughter Rasoga into silver screen. The shooting work began on August 5, 2012 and the shooting was completed on November 1, 2012. Permission for the film was obtained from the Board of Directors on December 18. The media briefing was held on December 20, 2012. The film was screened on May 10, 2013.[17]

Television

His first teledrama acting came under his own direction, through Dara Garaj. And he acted few teledramas like Roy de Silva's Tarzan Ape Man, Giriraj Kaushalya's Nana Kamare,[18] Sikuru Lanthe and Nishantha Weerasinghe's Dankuda Banda.[19] His first "Bandu Live In Concert" was held on 10 July 2005[20] and after 11 years, he performed his next Bandu Live In Concert on 27 August 2016 at BMICH.[21]

Bandu along with Tennison and Yureni Noshika acted as hosts for Hiru Mega Star season 2. He also hosts the chat program Talks With Bandu telecast by Hiru TV.

Filmography
YearFilmRoleNotes
1971 Sadahatama Oba Mage Assistant manager Minor Role
1974 Kasturi Suwanda Minor Role [22]
1976 Nilla Soya [23]
1977 Chandi Putha [24]
1977 Yakadaya Dancer [25]
1978 Chandi Shyama
1978 Asha Dasin
1980 Mal Kekulu [26]
1981 Chanchala Rekha Kapila Debut an Actor
1982 Halo Shyama
1982 Mihidum Sihina
1984 Bambara Patikki
1986 Peralikarayo Chuty Malli Also as a playback singer
1986 Yali Hamuwennai
1987 Nommara Ekai Datha Khan First Bandu-Tenny Dou[27]
1987 Yukthiyada Shakthiyada [28]
1988 Angulimala Basura [29]
1990 Thanha Asha Perera [30]
1990 Dedunnen Samanaliyak [30]
1990 Hitha Honda Puthek Bandu
1990 Madhu Sihina Appu
1990 Weera Udara
1991 Bambara Kalape [31]
1991 Paradise Guest appearance
1991 Cheriyo Doctor Marmite [32]
1991 Ali Baba Saha Horu 40 [33]
1992 Ranabime Weeraya [31]
1992 Okkoma Kanapita Kanapita
1992 Sinhayangeth Sinhaya
1992 Sakkara Sooththara [34]
1992 Raja Daruwo
1993 Soorayan Athara Weeraya [35]
1993 Chaya Johnny [36]
1994 1950 Mulleriyawa [37]
1994 Love 94 Bakar
1994 Athma Foreman's supporter
1994 Sujatha [38]
1994 Hallo My Darling [39]
1995 Rodaya Sudha First direction and producing[39]
1995 Mama Baya Ne Shyama M.S. Anandan
1995 Inspector Geetha [39]
1995 Vairayen Vairaya
1995 Cheriyo Captain Huntin / Fruit salad Dual role
1996 Weediye Weeraya
1996 Cheriyo Darling Marmite [40]
1997 Pemmal Mala Murichchi Silva Second direction and producing. Also playback singing.[41]
1998 Re Daniel Dawal Migel 1 Daniel
1999 Kolompoor A.S.P. Bandu [42]
1999 Koti Sana [42]
2000 Kauda Bole Alice Janaka 'Alizina 'Alice' Almeida'
2001 Hai Hui Babi Achchi Bandu 'Miss Dimple Mylawa'
2001 Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2 Daniel [43]
2001 Pissu Puso Dougie / Prema 'Prem' Kumara Mahanama Dual role[44]
2001 Oba Koheda Priye Princy[45]
2002 Parliament Jokes E.K. Karolis [46]
2002 Cheriyo Holman [47]
2002 Pissu Double Tintin
2002 Jolly Hallo Brando Sarasaviya Award - Creative Performance
2002 Somy Boys Bush/Bandusena Mudalali Dual role
2002 Seethala Gini Kandu Addiya
2003 Ra Daniel Dawal Migel 3 "007" Daniel
2003 Pissu Trible Junda [48]
2003 Sepata Dukata Sunny Sunny
2003 Sundarai Adare Towel Boy
2003 Numba Nadan Apita Pissu Baby Sam Talky / Mr. Almeida [49]
2004 Rajjumala Sekara [50]
2004 Left Right Sir Third direction
2005 James Bond Bond aka Banda
2006 Ali Patio Oyai Mamai Theft [51]
2006 Rana Hansi [52]
2006 Supiri Balawatha Eddie
2007 Hai Master Bandara
2007 Jundai Gundai Junda
2008 Ai Oba Thaniwela
2010 Ape Yalu Punchi Boothaya Isurusiri-the Astrologist [53]
2011 Thank You Berty Norty
2013 Peeter One Peeter Fifth direction[54]
2013 Seetha Man Awa Rama
2015 My Name is Bandu Bandu Nominated for "Derana Film Awards Best Comedy Role"[55]
2018 Yama Raja Siri John [56]

Director and actor
Year Film Note
1995 Rodaya Producer
1997 Pemmal Mala Producer
2004 Left Right Sir Producer
2010 Dara Garaj Director, producer
2013 Peter One Co-producer

Songs
TitleFilmOther(s)
Sinhayo Wagei ApiPeralikarayoH.R. Jothipala
Visky Kade PusaPeralikarayo-
Rubber Walalu Uda Yakada GodakNommara EkaiChandra Devadhithya
Mis Konda KirilliNommara Ekai-
Warella WarellaNommara EkaiSomasiri Fernando, Chandra Devadhithya
Kada BendalaYukthiyada SahakthiyadaFreddy Silva
Goni Billa KoHitha Honda PuthekFreddy Silva, Ananda Perera
Raja Ubane GonaOkkoma KanapitaFreddy Silva
Aluth Irak Aluth SandakMadhu SihinaAngeline Gunathilake, Mervyn Perera
Kasi Athe Kasi NatheRaja Wansen EkekRanjan Ramanayake, Freddy Silva
Ehe Yanawa Kawruth Ehe YanawaBambara KalapeFreddy Silva
Lan Wela Lan WelaAli Baba Saha Horu 40Angeline Gunathilake
Nawa Hiru Sandu PayalaRodayaMilton Mallawarachchi, Nihal Nelson
Me Rate WedduInspector GeethaFreddy Silva, Christien Gunawardena
Cheerio Kiyala Me Api YanneCheerio CaptainGratien Ananda, Freddy Silva
Wadath Agei Hithath HondaiCheerio CaptainGratien Ananda
Ale Karannam Romiyo MageCheerio DarlingLatha Walpola
Sanda Amathuma Widiyata Me RayePem Mal MalaLatha Walpola
Ne Ma EdaPem Mal MalaLatha Walpola
Chuti Mage Podi PattoKauda Bole Alis-
Roobara SiribaraHai Hui Babi AchchiMaya Damayanthi, Mervyn Malewana, Koreen Almeida
Doti Doti Bodime DotiHai Hui Babi AchchiSunil Perera, Gemunu Wijesuriya
Kawdai KawdaiRe Daniel Dawal Migel 2Sangeeth Wickramasinghe, Champa Kalhari, Kushani Sandarekha
Goori Boori Waada BheedaOba Koheda PriyeFreddy Silva, Angeline Gunathilake, Latha Walpola
Gamaralai Moda RelaiSupiri BalawathaH.R. Jothipala, Ananda Perera
Sulange Hemin EnnakoPeeter One-
Tomiya KarawalaPeeter One-
Pawee Enu MenaMy Name Is Bandu
Tin Belekka--
Lassana Mal Mal-Uresha Ravihari

Awards

References
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