No Matter How Well We Try to Live, We're Always Slandered – Shanudrie Priyasad

 Actress Shanudrie Priyasad is currently making her mark with both films 'Moda Tharindu' and 'Neera'.  Although the character of Dinu in the film 'Moda Tharindu' embodies a cunning girlfriend with a touch of humor, Shanudrie states that it conveys a deep message about karma and the cycle of rebirth. She mentions that the character of Praneethi in the film 'Neera', which is completely different, was one of the most challenging roles she has received. 

 She states that while she was shocked by the criticism and mud-slinging on social media in the past, she now has the ability to endure it.
The discussion she had with Divaina Online channel, mentioning these points, is as follows.

Interviewer: Ayubowan! Today I'm speaking with someone who is very happy these days. That's because two of her films are currently screening very successfully. In short, she is the youngest daughter of the Priyasad family. Shanudrie Priyasad, Ayubowan!

Shanudrie: Ayubowan! Ayubowan!

Interviewer: So, how are you? I imagine you're very happy these days, and also that it's a very busy time.

Shanudrie: Yes, actually, I'm a bit tired these days after a long time. That's because two films are screening at once. So yes, I'm spending my time very happily. Both films are screening with excellent responses. So, I'm very happy.

Interviewer: These two films are creations from two different genres, aren't they? That is, 'Moda Tharindu' highlights a bit of a younger brother's antics, with its own unique madness. 'Neera' is a film that appeals to a different audience. How do you, Shanudrie, feel about these two?

Shanudrie: Yes, I'm getting the opportunity to be involved in two films from two different genres at once. I think 'Moda Tharindu' is a film in the Dark Comedy category. 'Neera' falls into the Love Story category. However, it's a slightly deeper story than just a love story.

So, I think there's an audience that loves both of these. Both, meaning there are people who watch this today and that tomorrow. So, I think I'm playing characters in both of these films in two different ways at once. So, it's a great fortune to be able to reach the audience in two different ways at once like that. And I'm receiving good responses.

Interviewer: Let's start with 'Moda Tharindu', which is receiving a lot of audience response these days. At first glance, it's a comedy, a film that makes us laugh. But there's another story within it. How did you, Shanudrie, understand this film?

Shanudrie: Yes, I knew about it from the beginning anyway. When I received the film, I already knew the story. But while watching it, at first glance, I laughed from the beginning to the end of the film. However, there's also something to take from it for life, a story that conveys the meaning "what you do comes back to you."

So, I think if I look at it as an audience member, 'Moda Tharindu' is the most entertaining film of 2024. So, it's a big deal to be able to appear as the character 'Dinu' in such a film. Because that character, and all the other characters in this story, have really resonated with people. So, I think if you look at it as an audience member, no matter how much you laugh in the film 'Moda Tharindu', it's a film that makes you realize that the 'cycle of samsara' exists and it comes around.

Interviewer: Did you feel a little scared?

Shanudrie: Scared, well, yes, a lot of people tell me, "You got what you deserved for what you did. Yes, it comes full circle." Being scared means we should be scared if we're doing something wrong, right? So, I haven't done anything wrong yet. So, I'm not scared. The way things are going now, the way it's circling, is good.

Interviewer: Shanudrie, in the film 'Neera', you play a very different character. That is, a character who faces life's problems and seeks answers for them. For some, those answers are very difficult, answers that are hard to obtain. Such a character. How was that experience for you?

Shanudrie: 'Neera' is, I think, the most special film for me. I received an invitation from Vasawa Baduge Aiya to join the film 'Neera'. I hadn't read the script at that time. But out of respect for Vasawa Aiya, I said "yes" to the project. It was only then that I learned that the script was written by Mrs. Sumithra Rahubadda.

So, when I actually received the script, took it in my hand, and started reading it, I told Vasawa Aiya, "It's difficult for me, I'm scared to do this character, I can't." But he trusted me a lot. He kept saying that I could do justice to this character. Another reason I was scared was that Mrs. Sumithra Rahubadda is someone with a large audience. So, what she writes, she writes with both her heart and soul, giving life to those characters. So, I had this fear of whether I could do justice to a character she had written with such care. I don't know if Sumithra Aunty also thought that way, whether I could do it or not.

However, the most challenging (Challenging) character I've played so far is 'Praneethi'. Within that role, I experienced almost everything I hadn't experienced in real life. That is, apart from 'resilience', I don't have anything else like that in my life. Within that story, I had to portray things I hadn't experienced – that is, a wife, a mother, and then beyond that, a divorced person... I had to do all of that within that character.

So, with the responses I'm receiving from people and the audience now, I believe I've done justice to that character. Because even after we watched the film for the first time, Mrs. Sumithra called me over, brought me close, and spoke with me. She told me how happy she was after watching the film and seeing my performance. So, I think it was the most difficult character for me. But Praneethi is a character I truly love.

Interviewer: Shanudrie is usually someone who talks a bit fast, laughs, and is happy, isn't she? Whether we see you on social media or generally outside, we see you as someone who is very cheerful. Now, in the film 'Neera', it's something completely opposite, isn't it?

Shanudrie: Yes.

Interviewer: Even what you say there comes out with a different restraint, a different expression, something else. So, how is it, if you take 'Moda Tharindu', there are people of your own age in it.

Shanudrie: Yes. Even when I received the invitation for the film 'Moda Tharindu', it wasn't a very specific script. I got involved in 'Moda Tharindu' based on Tisara (Imbulana) Aiya's invitation. So, as I mentioned before, I got the girlfriend character. But no matter how much we thought, that is, even if we thought it was a small character that could just be done, I think once I got there, I had to bring out that 'Dinu' from within me. That is, I couldn't just be Shanudrie there.

So that was easy too. Because Tisara Aiya is a very easy person to work with. He gives artists good freedom (Freedom) to act. He gives them the freedom to work. So, even though the character of Dinu is a normal girl, a girlfriend character, I think it was a bit of a dominating lover, a slightly cunning girlfriend character that I had to play. So, I think with the support of the cast (Cast) there, especially Kaushalya, Suriya Aiya, Danuka Aiya, and Shehani... it's with the combination of all these people that I bring the character of Dinu to life. So, it's similar to normal everyday life, but I still had to change that character beyond a certain point within the role. However, if you take the film Neera, it's completely different. As I said before, it's not me who is there. Not the usual person. A slightly mature (Mature), a character who can endure life's challenges. So, that's how the two characters are.

Interviewer: When we did an interview with your second sister (Sheshadrie), she said... it's like the saying, "people throw stones at a fruit-bearing tree," you all really stand out. You're on your own path. There's a lot to talk about regarding Dinakshie. And Sheshadrie told me, when talking about her audience, "I don't like it if anyone scolds my little sister or my older sister."

Shanudrie: Ahaha... Yes, I used to think about that a lot. But now I've gotten used to it. That is, in some places, no matter how good we are, no matter how much we go on our path without bothering anyone, I think there are people who dislike even that. That is, I'm not saying that the whole world should like me, ever. It's relative, isn't it? Some people like me, some people don't. I think I accept both.

In the past, there were times when I felt sad, times when I got angry, and times when I cried, asking "Why do people scold me like this?" But I think with time, I understood it myself. With the support I received from my background, what I understood is that no matter what we do, if someone dislikes us, they will dislike us. I've now come to understand that there's no need to change them, and no need to let them hinder our journey.

Because I believe that if there are people who truly love me, they will always be with me. They support my work. I know that such a group of people truly exists. Because there are people who watch what I do and say, support it, and tell me both the good and the bad. So, some people even say bad things out of love. That is, I also have an audience that says, "This isn't right, you should have done that, doing it this way was a mistake."

So, I always think it's okay if there are people who dislike me. I respect them too. Because that's their decision (Decision). However, I mostly focus on the positive side. That's something I've gotten used to over time. I really like to look at things positively. So, that's how I live. Also, if you're in this field, if you become a famous person, you need to prepare your mind to be able to endure both. Otherwise, it's difficult to go on a journey like this. You need to have a mental state that can accept both.

Interviewer: Shanudrie, does that mean there were many instances in the early days where you felt down because of such talk?

Shanudrie: Oh yes, if I'm being honest, I've been among people since I was little. I started acting at three and a half years old. So, I've been in acting and among people since I was a small child. So, there have been times when I thought, "there are people who scold me." That is, even if I smile, there are people who say, "Oh, she's smiling, this and that."

So, at that time, it was difficult for me to endure it. Firstly, I was a small child, and secondly, I was a young girl, and these things were new to me. Because of that, there were times when I truly felt down. Oh my, there were so many. There were times when I even asked my sisters and almost gave up (Give up). That is, there were many times when I thought, "Should I stop acting? Should I stay away from people?"

So, I think I'm continuing my journey beautifully. The people who are with me, who love me, will remain without bothering anyone. Those who don't love me... that really doesn't concern me anymore. I don't say anything about it now. That is, even today, I occasionally get a comment on my Facebook posts like, "I can't stand her" or something. So, I let it be. I hardly even delete it.

Interviewer: How do you understand this concept of popularity?

Shanudrie: Popularity is something that can be there today and gone tomorrow. If you take me, I think... being popular is one thing, and being famous is another. There are plenty of famous people among us. But what we really need to see is whether people truly 'like' us or not. So, I think I have people who truly 'like' me. And I need to know how to keep them. That is, there might be people who love me. But I also need to know how to retain that love.

Interviewer: There are all sorts of stories, and there are people who scold. Not people who love, but a group in society who are there just to scold her. They are there just to scold. But Dinakshie gave an amazing answer to all of that. She didn't answer with words. If you look at the dramas that came out this year, Dinakshie silently gave amazing answers. What do you think about your elder sister and her acting ability? And about the creations currently being broadcast?

Shanudrie: Yes, I'm truly most proud of my elder sister. I see her... actually, in our family, it's the two of us, the two sisters and me. Sheshadrie and I have seen our sister since she was little. Seeing how she raised herself from a young age, and seeing where she is now, fills me with immense pride. I'm very happy. Even now, when you talk about my sister like this, I'm very happy. It's something I hear everywhere I go.

My elder sister is a very hardworking person. Someone who can endure a lot. If she had taken to heart all the things people said and heard from them, I think she might not even be where she is now. There have been so many instances where people tried to bring her down. But she prioritized patience in everything. She is someone who quietly went on her journey slowly. Our sister is not someone I've ever seen competing with anyone.

Putting acting aside, she's very good with people. If you get to know her, she'll do anything she can for you. Even if I go to a shooting set where she worked, people praise my sister a lot, saying, "Oh my, your sister gives us food, she brings all sorts of things, she's so good."

So, I think if we put that aside and talk about her acting, the level she's at now is unimaginable. She has come a long way in a short period. I think our Saranga Aiya might also be a big reason for that. Their combination is amazing. I always say they are a 'Power Couple'. When they are together, there's almost nothing they can't do. And with the support they give each other, I think my elder sister has come a long way. I'm very proud.

She knows very well what she needs to do. That is, the other thing is that she balances her personal life, her child's matters, and her husband's matters beautifully while also managing her career. So, these two things, as someone in the family, I'm the one who sees it. Someone looking from the outside might think, "Oh, she's just acting, isn't she looking after her family?" But I clearly see that she does everything for her child before dedicating time to acting. I know the things she does for our mother and father. She has come a long way. I know she can go much further in the future. She is very talented, very humble. As an actress, I think her best time has come now.

Interviewer: Now you said that your sister did a lot for us. And you also said that she built this life with great effort. Could you please explain that a bit?

Shanudrie: Yes, actually, since we were little... our father is a film director, right? So, we are a very ordinary family. All of Sri Lanka knows that. But often, people might think, "Oh my, they're very important people, they have a lot of money." But we lived very ordinarily; we've lived in rented houses since we were little. That's not a problem. But our mother and father are two people who did everything for us.

Even though our Mr. Priyasad (father) has done a large number of films, he is a very kind-hearted person. He doesn't have a generation gap. If he meets a young guy, he likes to chat with him. So, I think there have been times when my elder sister understood the seriousness of things within this family more than our father. So, what I said about my sister at that time... I think our second sister also told this story in one program. Beyond a certain point, my elder sister took on all the burdens of our family. That is, Dinakshie. In some places, she even covered all our expenses.

So, I am very grateful (Grateful) for that. Even when I talk about her, I have a lot of respect for her. She has done a lot for us.

Interviewer: So, how old is Dinakshie approximately?

Shanudrie: Well, they also did presenting, TV programs and such from a young age. So, for as long as we can remember, we've been earning a little bit since we were small. And we saved. The full credit for that saving should go to our mother. Because every bit of money we earned from a young age, we gave to our mother. So, she was the one who beautifully put it into our bank account or a piggy bank for us. So, she did the saving part until we reached an understanding age.

So, my elder sister took all the family's burdens into her hands and fought the battle alone. Even when we moved into our first house, my elder sister was the one who bought that house. Yes, the house we live in now. Our sister bought it for our mother and father. So, even that house was bought by our sister with what she earned through her hard work. So, that's why I think she has come so far in life without fault, precisely because of what she did for our mother and father.

Interviewer: I think many people don't know that story about Dinakshie. As I said, one day when we did an interview with your second sister, she said, "No, she (Shanudrie) is very talented. She sees the world more than us. She has more experience than us on how to navigate life." Your sister said the same thing about you, but in reverse.

Shanudrie: Oh... she said that too. Now, the age gap between the two sisters is small, but I have a gap of six or seven years. So, those two were always together. But now I'm very happy, all three of us are very close. After reaching a certain age, we three share everything among ourselves. So, the reason Sheshadrie Akki says I'm talented and about the way I see things... I think I've learned things from their lives too. Their life's experience. That is, I learn things for life from our mother, father, and both sisters. My 'Role Model' from outside is actually everyone at home. So now, if I foresee something and make a good decision, I think the things I've learned from my sisters' lives influence that.

Interviewer: So, when the entire Priyasad family gets together, what kind of vibe (Vibe) is there at home?

Shanudrie: Oh my, then our house is truly a 'Priya Saadaya' (a joyful celebration). There's a joyful celebration at home at that time. That means we are very united. The five of us in our house, well, it used to be five. Now there are eight people at home, right? In addition to the eight, there are two more babies. Now it's getting bigger and bigger, a large family.

Yes, it's truly... I think the best and biggest thing I have in life is that family. My two sisters, mother, father, my brothers-in-law, the babies... it's when all of them come together that we become very strong (Strong). So, even when we make life decisions (Decisions), we all come together. That's a very valuable thing. I think it's something many people don't have. That is, the whole family coming together. In many places, we see siblings getting angry, or children getting angry with parents. There are times when they argue over very small things. But I think when we all come together, we can do a lot of things.

The two brothers-in-law... that is, even things I can't tell my two sisters, I first go and tell the two brothers-in-law. I share a lot of my personal things with Krishan Aiya. I get advice from him. I get it from Saranga Aiya. So, I think we are very united. It's a very big blessing (Blessing).

Interviewer: What's that experience like when there are a lot of artists (Artists)?

Shanudrie: The experience is great. No, actually, it's a very random occurrence. And it's a very special thing. Our mother, well... now our mother is more capable than us. That is, whether it's singing, acting, or dancing... we can get ideas from all of us. There can be a unity among all of us within that work. So, art is a very beautiful thing. Having that within our own family is a very big thing, something very valuable to us.

Interviewer: Among the three of you, who is a bit similar to your mother? In appearance or in ideas?

Shanudrie: I can't really say. In terms of appearance, many people tell me that my mother looked like me when she was young. But my second sister mostly looks like my father to me. My elder sister looks like my mother to me. I don't see myself as looking like my mother. But in the way I think, in the way I feel, her actions are what I embody.

That is, our mother wakes up in the morning and waters the flower plants. I also really like to do that. I have a small garden in front of the flower plants, and I've made the most of it. So, when she wakes up in the morning, she has cooked food for the family and everything is ready. That is, I think the way she works is similar to the way I work. However, many people say I look like my mother when they see her old photos, wedding photos and such. But then, all three of us have inherited the good qualities of our mother and father.

Interviewer: We haven't talked about Sheshadrie. What's your relationship like with Sheshadrie? Has she returned to acting now?

Shanudrie: Yes, Sheshadrie was quiet for a while. My second sister and I, no matter how much we fight, when my elder sister and I fight, she's in the middle. She's the one who resolves it. She advises both of us... So, even today, as soon as something happens, she tells me "Ball" (Ball). When she sends a message saying "Ball" as soon as something happens, I know she's trying to tell me something.

So always, even though we don't live in the same house now, we always send each other messages. We three are always talking on WhatsApp or whatever. Because my second sister, in my opinion, is another strong person. Many people probably know that at one point in her life, she stopped everything and started life from scratch. So, I saw how she overcame that period, how she faced that time, from inside the house. So, at that time, I was also of school age. But as my sister said, I've learned things from her life to see things. She is very quiet, very religious, and very talented. So, I think she is a very beautiful woman.

Interviewer: Your father is someone who earned a big name in our cinema, from the old days. What do you think about your father's films?

Shanudrie: Yes, I think when our father first made films, I was a small child. Maybe I wasn't even born when he made some films. I think our father made films even before he got married. His first film was 'Peralikarawo'. He wasn't even married to our mother when he made it.

So, he was someone who did monumental work back then. For example, in his film 'Peralikarawo', Kajol's mother is in it. That is, Tanuja Mukherjee. She was a colossal figure in India at that time. So, bringing someone like that to Sri Lanka, and arranging for her to act in a Sri Lankan film with Mr. Vijaya Kumaratunga, was a huge achievement. Even today, we have opportunities to bring such people. But for that era, it was special. From what I've heard and from the conversations within our home, I've seen how much it resonated with people.

The other thing is, he has another film called 'Demodara Palama'. He did a great job with that too, using special effects (Special Effects) at that time. Even today, I don't really see films in Sri Lanka with things like helicopters, trains, train scenes, fights... I haven't seen many films with those things in Sri Lanka yet. But he did those things back then, he did so much. That is, explosions, helicopter explosions... he did all those special effects wonderfully. He has good knowledge regarding that. Even today, he advises young people about special effects.

So, I think among his favorite films, my favorites are Peralikarawo, Demodara Palama, Kolompura. 'Kolompura' was made by Tennyson Cooray and Dilhani Ekanayake Aunty. It was a very successful film. I was one year old at that time. I even have a picture with Dilhani Aunty. So, I think our father has done great things. Perhaps young people today might not remember them. But I think it's important to know that our father was someone who did such monumental work. So, I'm very proud.

Interviewer: What does your father say about you all? Especially about Dinakshie's performances? Because he has a good understanding.

Shanudrie: Yes, he tells us both the good and the bad. He doesn't just falsely praise us. He's a bit direct. That is, when watching something we've done, he'll say, "Oh, if this frame comes here, the colors aren't right," or "Wearing this dress was a mistake, it makes you look fat." So, we get genuine (Genuine) support from him.

Even today, if we need to know anything, whether about acting, films, or cameras, we first ask our father. Because he has good knowledge about that, especially about the technical background. So, father tells us both the good and the bad. He doesn't show it much outwardly. He's not someone who goes around saying, "Oh, I'm so proud of my children." Father is a very quiet (Reserved) person. But I know from his behavior, when I see him, how proud he is of my two sisters, of me, and of anything we do.

Interviewer: Now, all three of you are very active on social media (Social Media). Do you usually create any content that comes to mind?

Shanudrie: I don't just do anything that comes to mind. You have to be very careful when handling social media. That is, I actually have a lot of followers on my social media platforms now. Instagram has surpassed a million from all of them. That means I'm very grateful to the people who are with me.

Social media is a very valuable place for an artist to connect direct (Direct) with people. Now, in some places, our artists say, "Oh, we don't need social media, we don't want it." But this world is made for us to use it. With the way the world is going, social media is meant for connecting. So, I take it as a very positive (Positive) thing.

Because of social media, I have a very large audience. And I have a good audience. So, if you use social media correctly, upload the right content, identify your audience (Audience), and cater (Cater) to them, I think you can be on social media without any problems.

I mostly like to give people something good through my social media. I share something from my life, or something personal, with people within limits (Limits). I mostly do that through my vlogs (Vlog). I really like to do YouTube vlogs. When I meet people in person, girls often tell me how much they get motivated (Motivate). Because I recently came back from Korea. Even there, there were people who hugged me and talked to me. They say that when they watch one of my vlogs at night, while doing their jobs there with all that stress (Stress) and pressure, or some people during exams, it makes their minds feel very free. That is, it makes me very happy to hear that. Because in my vlogs, I don't show anything false anywhere. I am the person I am.

Interviewer: Tell me, what's the role of this 'Punchee' (aunt/little one)? Now you're a double 'Punchee', right?

Shanudrie: Yes, right, now 'Punchee' is a double 'Punchee'. I think the two best gifts I received from my two sisters are Saranya and Krizya. Saranya is mostly what people see. It's not that I like Saranya more and Krizya less. Because when Krizya was little, she was always with her mother. She's very shy about coming to us. But Saranya jumps to us. So, even if I post a photo, the number of photos with Saranya is higher.

But now those two are just... I can only be without them for a day or two at most; if I don't see them, I feel a bit anxious. Those two call me "Shanu". That is, when I see the two babies, I remember my two sisters. So, whether it's picking them up from school, or cooking for them... those things are what our family mostly revolves around. They really like it when I come, and I always bring something. Even if it's just a small toffee, they wait eagerly for me to come. So, I really love those two.

Interviewer: Now your sisters live in their own homes, right?

Shanudrie: Yes. It's like this, even though my sisters live separately, we all usually come home at least once a week. That is, sometimes, for example, if my elder sister has urgent work, she'll leave the baby at our house, and my second sister will leave her baby at our house if she has to go somewhere. So, even without that, both sisters always come to see our mother and father. So, with that, when they come to the family, there are times when they stay for a night or two before leaving. It's really great; their presence has further strengthened our family bond (Bond).

Interviewer: To conclude this discussion, do you have anything you'd like to say to your fans (Fans)?

Shanudrie: Yes, thank you very much for listening to and watching this program for so long. Also, I know there are people who love me. So, I always think about what more I can do better for you all. So, thank you very much for accepting both the good and the bad and being with me this far.

Especially, thank you very much for the unexpected responses to the films 'Moda Tharindu' and 'Neera' these days. Some people tell me they watched 'Moda Tharindu' in the morning and 'Neera' in the evening. So, there are some people who have watched the film two or three times. So, thank you very much to all of them. Without your support, we truly wouldn't be able to successfully do anything we're doing. Because no matter how passionately we work on something, whether the work is successful or not is determined by how you receive it. So, the support we receive from you is very valuable to us. So, thank you very much for being with us with so much love for so long. We will definitely meet again with more good creations in the future. Thank you very much.

Interviewer: Shanudrie, thank you very much for coming to meet us during such a busy time (Busy Time).

Shanudrie: Yes, thank you very much to Aiya too. You're doing the program very beautifully. And thank you very much for a good conversation.