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. One of the most popular comedians in Sinhala cinema, 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. 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. However, it was revealed that the Sri Lankan diaspora in Milan did not approve of this appointment.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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, Sikuru Lanthe and Nishantha Weerasinghe's Dankuda Banda. His first "Bandu Live In Concert" was held on 10 July 2005 and after 11 years, he performed his next Bandu Live in Concert on 27 August 2016 at BMICH.

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

Director and actor

Songs Title Film Other(s) Sinhayo Wagei Api Peralikarayo H.R. Jothipala Visky Kade Pusa Peralikarayo – Rubber Walalu Uda Yakada Godak Nommara Ekai Chandra Devadhithya Mis Konda Kirilli Nommara Ekai – Warella Warella Nommara Ekai Somasiri Fernando, Chandra Devadhithya Kada Bendala Yukthiyada Sahakthiyada Freddy Silva Goni Billa Ko Hitha Honda Puthek Freddy Silva, Ananda Perera Raja Ubane Gona Okkoma Kanapita Freddy Silva Aluth Irak Aluth Sandak Madhu Sihina Angeline Gunathilake, Mervyn Perera Kasi Athe Kasi Nathe Raja Wansen Ekek Ranjan Ramanayake, Freddy Silva Ehe Yanawa Kawruth Ehe Yanawa Bambara Kalape Freddy Silva Lan Wela Lan Wela Ali Baba Saha Horu 40 Angeline Gunathilake Nawa Hiru Sandu Payala Rodaya Milton Mallawarachchi, Nihal Nelson Me Rate Weddu Inspector Geetha Freddy Silva, Christien Gunawardena Cheerio Kiyala Me Api Yanne Cheerio Captain Gratien Ananda, Freddy Silva Wadath Agei Hithath Hondai Cheerio Captain Gratien Ananda Ale Karannam Romiyo Mage Cheerio Darling Latha Walpola Sanda Amathuma Widiyata Me Raye Pem Mal Mala Latha Walpola Ne Ma Eda Pem Mal Mala Latha Walpola Chuti Mage Podi Patto Kauda Bole Alis – Roobara Siribara Hai Hui Babi Achchi Maya Damayanthi, Mervyn Malewana, Koreen Almeida Doti Doti Bodime Doti Hai Hui Babi Achchi Sunil Perera, Gemunu Wijesuriya Kawdai Kawdai Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2 Sangeeth Wickramasinghe, Champa Kalhari, Kushani Sandarekha Goori Boori Waada Bheeda Oba Koheda Priye Freddy Silva, Angeline Gunathilake, Latha Walpola Gamaralai Moda Relai Supiri Balawatha H.R. Jothipala, Ananda Perera Sulange Hemin Ennako Peeter One – Tomiya Karawala Peeter One – Pawee Enu Mena My Name Is Bandu Tin Belekka – –Lassana Mal Mal – Uresha Ravihari

Awards Creative Performance – Sarasaviya Awards – 2001 SLIM Nelson Peoples Award – 2006 Kala Bhushana – 32rd Kala Bhushana Awards – 2016 Signis Sri Lanka Saluation – 2015 Derana Film Awards – Best Comedy Role – 2019