Lionel Deraniyagala

Lionel Danthanarayana (born 24 August 1940 – died 30 July 1994 as ලයනල් දැරණියගල) [Sinhala]), popularly as stage name Lionel Deraniyagala, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and theater.[1] One of the most popular villain artists ever in Sri Lankan film history, he had a career for more than three decades as the antagonist.[2]

Lionel Deraniyagala
ලයනල් දැරණියගල
Born
Lionel Danthanarayana

(1940-08-24)24 August 1940
Died30 July 1994(1994-07-30) (aged 53)
EducationMahinda College
OccupationActor, Producer
Years active1960–1994
Spouse(s)Thilaka Deraniyagala (m. 1973)
Children2

Personal life

He was born on 24 August 1940 in Galle as the youngest of the family with three siblings. He completed education from Mahinda College, Galle.

He was married to fellow actress Thilaka in 1973. The couple have one daughter, Priyanthi Shyamali and one son, Chulananda.[3]

In 1975, he was working in the batik industry with his wife. In 1981, he went Middle East for a job.[4] He returned to Sri Lanka in 1983 and continued on businesses.[3]

Deraniyagala fell ill at Ragama rehabilitation hospital after an accident on February 4, 1994. However, he died on 30 July 1994 at the age of 53.[4]

Career

He has acted in minor roles on the school stage. At the age of 14, he met popular film actor and filmmaker B. A. W. Jayamanne along with his closest friend and eventual film actor Senaka Perera. At that time, Jayamanne was preparing for the film Kale Handa and was looking for a young man to play the role of "John Jayapala". Although Senaka introduced Deraniyagala to Jayamanna, it was age that matters. Jayamanne informed Deraniyagala to meet him after finishing school times. After completing his studies, he came to Colombo to find a job at the age of 20. In 1960, he was selected for the lead role in the film Ekolos Ginna directed by Gilbert Hewavitharana. Hewavitharana changed his birth name Danthanarayana to Deraniyagala. Although the film was not produced, he was left with the name "Deraniyagala".[3]

While working as a booking clerk at Lionel Ceylon Theaters, he met filmmaker Roland Amarasinghe. Amarasinghe asked him to come to Navajeewana Theater for the screen test. He was selected for the lead role of "Udeni" in the 1966 film Kolamba Hadayo with the new actress Shirani Gunatilleke.[4] Meanwhile, he was selected to the stage play Abhimanaya produced by Sudas Masakorala. Then in the 1969 film Mee Masso, he acted along with Gamini Fonseka and Sonia Disa.[3]

Deraniyagala emerged as an antagonist in the 1971 blockbuster film Hathara Denama Soorayo directed by Neil Rupasinghe.[5] After the film, popular actor Eddie Jayamanne appreciated his villain role and said that "You are the best villain after Dommy Jayawardena". Since that, he received several villain roles in popular films Rena Giraw, Ran Onchilla, Rajagedara Paraviyo, Edath Suraya Adath Suraya, Gijulihiniyo, Kesara Sinhayo, Ridee Thella, Kasthuri Suwanda and Raja Kello. He played the lead role in the 1979 film Sawdan Jema bringing a sense of humor. He also played a caricature in the 1973 film Sinawai Inawai and then Deraniyagala played a different role as Gamini Fonseka's brother in the 1978 film Apsara.[3][4]

Deraniyagala acted with his wife in few films including Gijulihiniyo, Vanarayo and Raja Kollo. After had children, his wife quit acting.[3]

He acted in few stage plays such as Suli Sulang and Rella. The film, titled Neethiyada Shakthiyada, was released on 13 January 1995 was screened as Inspector Geetha, where Deraniyagala was the producer.[3][4]

In 1990, Deraniyagala won a Merit Award for the film Randenigala Sinhaya at the Sarasaviya Film Festival.[3][4]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
1966Kolamba HadayoUdeni Deraniyagala
1967Manamalayo
1969Hari MagaPercy
1969Mee Masso
1969Hathara Peraliya
1970Akkara PahaDoctor[6]
1971Kesara SinhayoSankara 'Kesara Sinhaya'
1971PujithayoSidney
1971Ran Onchilla[7]
1971Hathara Denama SurayoHarry[8][9]
1971Samanala Kumariyo
1972Edath Suraya Adath SurayaDickie
1973Suhada Pethuma[10]
1973Sinawai Inawai
1973Hondai Narakai
1974Kasthuri SuwandaBandara Hamu[11]
1974Rodi GamaKirivanthey
1975Pem Kurullo
1975Gijulihiniyo
1975Rajagedara Paraviyo
1975Sadhana
1975Hadawathaka Wasanthaya
1975Hitha Honda Minihekv
1976Nayana
1976Vanarayo
1976Haratha Hathara
1977Hithuwakkarayo
1977Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977Sajaa
1977Chin Chin Nona
1978MadhuwanthiAshok 'Manager'
1978Apsara
1979Raja KolloPala
1979Sawdan JemaRaja 'Sawdan Jema'
1979Visihathara PeyaAmare
1980Sinhabahu
1980SabeethaMr. Sirisena
1981Sathkulu PawwaWilbert
1981Ridee Thalla
1981Dayabara NiluSuperintendent 'Loku Mahaththaya'
1982Anuradha
1982SumithuroSuranga
1983Loku Thaththa
1985Mawbima Nathinam Maranaya
1989Sinasenna Raththaran
1989Mamai RajaRanjith Weerawardena
1989Randenigala SinhayaHamu
1990Chandi Raja
1990Jaya Shakthi
1990Yukthiyata WadaMr. Samaraweera
1991Paaradise
1991Cheriyo DoctorChance
1991Aibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1991Bambara Kalapaya
1992Sathya
1992Malsara Doni
1992Sinha Raja
1993Sasara Sarisarana Thek
1993Surayan Athara VeerayaRohitha 'Boss'
1994150 MulleryawaJamis Jayatunga 'Mudalali'
1994Mawbime Veerayo
1995Chandiyage PuthaCorrupt Inspector
1995Cheriyo CaptainPartygoer
1995Inspector GeethaRavi
1995Deviyani Sathya SurakinnaRex Mayadunna 'Rathu'
2000UndayaSeram 'Hamu'
2001Kolamba Koloppan
2006Supiri Balawatha
2007Hai Master

References

  1. "Actors of Sinhala cinema - Lionel Deraniyagala". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  2. "Here are 8 sinister characters who lit up our silver screen". Aniwa. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  3. "The Colombo guy from Galle". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  4. "Lionel Deraniyagala resigns from the job". Divaina. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  5. "The not-so-bad villains of Lankan cinema". lifie. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  6. "All about the film "Akkara Paha"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  7. "All about Ran Onchilla". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  8. "Hadata Wadata Hari Soorayo: Hathara Denama Soorayo film". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  9. "Hathara Denama Surayo". Resa. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  10. "All about Suhada Pathuma". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  11. "All about the film "Kasthuri Suwanda"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
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