This content is an interview with Sri Lankan actress Shanudrie Priyasad, discussing her career, recent film successes, international ventures, and the importance of family and faith in her life.
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So Shanu has [laughter] a problem. She
forgets the question halfway down the
line. She's like
>> I know when I look at you I forget every
day. I I just
>> You get lost in my eyes. So
>> thank god you're wearing the space.
>> Oh my god. [gasps]
owner is very much involved in this shoot.
shoot.
>> I can see that.
>> Yeah, he is very much here. He's our
fourth camera person today.
>> And he can do the interior. He can make four.
four. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> There's nothing that he can't do. Come
check him out. He's also looking for a
girl. Oh,
>> he is also looking.
>> Though he was telling me his last target
is to find a girl.
>> Still no. >> No.
>> No.
Baby,
>> Heat. [music] Heat.
[music]
>> checking out the Instagrammable cult
Columbo. Welcome to Done on Fire and
today with [music] me I have someone who
doesn't need any introduction. She has
worn hearts with her presence on the big
screen, small screen, every [music]
screen. Uh she is a big force to reckon
with in terms of her personality,
>> Shan. >> Hi.
>> Hi.
>> Hi. I'm hanging with you after a long
invited me for your show. >> Honey,
>> Honey, [laughter]
[laughter]
hard to get told of.
>> I know. I was a little busy.
>> Yeah, true. But you had a good run. You
had great movies coming out. And the
fact that it all came out.
>> Yeah. And they did really well.
>> Yeah. [laughter] That's that's that's
brilliant. And at the same time, you
have a new film coming up as well.
That's just one or you have more?
>> I have two movies coming up. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> I'm just waiting on a bird for a project together.
together.
>> Okay. Okay, we we we also have something
coming out together.
>> Are you? Yes.
>> I I still didn't give them the word but
>> hopefully it'll be a yes.
>> Okay, great. Looking forward to
>> excitement. I'm just put into this
corner. So, Shanu, tell me about uh this
this
>> the films that you did. You had
>> a great run. It's it's not about um it's
a good era for cinema in Sri Lanka.
>> Is that the reason that there's momentum
that has built? Ah, so you're asking
about uh Nerra and Modarindo.
>> Apparently Modarindo is the blockbuster
of 2025.
>> Yeah, that is I'm like is it only here?
Just like it's the blockbuster of this
country. [laughter]
>> And also uh NRA is the highest gross
grossing uh romance.
>> Oh wow.
>> In like in the recent times.
>> Wow. That's amazing.
>> Yeah. I think um it's a lot of a lot of
things put together. Not just um not
just you can't you can't really say it's
the plot or if it's the if it's the
actors or if it's the directors. It's a
lot of things put together
>> and I think it's a really good u time
for Sri Lankan movies Sri Lankan cinema industry
industry
>> and also on a global level they
appreciating it.
>> Yes. And even even our movies are
showing in different parts of the world.
>> And Modarindu especially Modarindu is so
in in Australia Modarindu became one of
the uh highest uh revenue Sri Lankan
movies. Yeah. And that's a big deal for
>> Yeah. And sometimes you always feel like
you need to have the biggest names in
cinema but you know uh some who are
appearing in Modarindu this is their
first film.
>> Yes. Yeah. I mean most So it's Tisarim
Bulana's second movie. His first one was um
um
>> something else. [laughter]
>> He had a first movie.
>> Yes. Yeah. He had a first movie. Uh but
Nino live was his first one.
>> So everybody
apart from Surya Koshalifanaki
and then a couple of uh I I always
believe I'm new to the movie industry >> really.
>> really.
>> And I don't know. No, it's it's so
that's the thing. I've been doing this
since I was a child,
>> but now only I've got the hold of it.
So, I think now I'm I'm a newcomer.
>> Okay. You've learned how to handle and
balance it. >> Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. Uh you know, it's overwhelming. I
will say to be you because
>> a lot of people just love you like on
Instagram. They follow you. They really
they want to see you. They sort of
relate to you.
>> Yeah. Do you find it overwhelming? Do
you find it confusing at times? Because
the end of the day, you are just a girl
at home. You are the third one. You just
want usually what a girl will need.
>> Yeah. So, I think I am that same girl
who people see on social media. I I
don't I don't have two lives. I can't do
that. I'm I'm too bored to, you know,
pretend another life on screen or on
social media.
>> Uh but um I enjoy it. I mean I really
like when people come up to me and say,
"Oh, you inspire me." And you know,
things like that. It it makes makes me
feel really happy and humbled also.
>> And um yeah, I think uh uh it took it
took some time for me to get here,
>> you know, for people to actually love me
for who I am. It it wasn't an easy
journey. People used to hate me so much,
>> but I don't know where those people are anymore.
anymore.
There are a few but
>> what who who matters really is the ones
who are there for me correct even if
even if somebody who loves me says
something wrong about me I will accept it
it
>> so I think it's it's it's about
>> also it's with age I think you you also
very young when you were thrown into the spotlight
spotlight
>> I didn't know what I was doing
>> but yeah I think it all shaped me to be
who I am
>> calmer settled
>> yes do do you think I am
>> yeah I think you have
>> right so do you still like this version
Yeah. Yeah. I always like this version
now because you know one family to have
three people who are actively involved.
Well, not so much uh Shashadri. I think
she takes very few projects now. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> But you and Aki Dakia are very very much
involved like do you find it hard
>> which part?
>> Like within the family itself they have
to choose.
>> Um okay that's that's their problem [laughter]
[laughter]
>> not yours.
>> Not my problem not our problem. But you
know big names refuse to do guest
appearances or be in films just just for
the scene. But you said yes for Clarence
the three of you played and it was so
beautiful. There's no other way to fill
that with anybody else.
>> That was like an opportunity for the
three of us also. But I think as an
actor it's not about the screen time you
get to play. It's it's about that little
even if it's like a 10-second role or if
it's like if you're like the main main
actor in the movie, I think that doesn't matter.
matter.
>> What matters is if you actually can grab
the audience. >> Correct.
>> Correct.
>> So, I think
>> you can be the main actor in coma. [laughter]
[laughter]
>> Just not there.
>> Not there. Yes.
>> But I'm the main actor.
>> Yeah, [laughter] you can do that.
>> Yeah. But uh I think um talking of
Clarence, the movie Clarence, uh it was
an opportunity for the three of us. I
saw people were throwing some hate
saying I
>> they're not even suitable for the three
the three uh characters, the Indrani,
the sisters.
>> Yeah. But it was only inspired by their story.
story.
>> Most of those characters were not, you
know, physically looking like the
original ones. But I think um the
director himself I have to have to
remember uncle
yeah he yeah he yeah he yeah he yeah he
yeah he it was actually his invitation
to um for he invited the two of us to
join with dinaki with my other sister to
play this small role he was like is it
okay if he asked he asked us a couple of
times if we are okay to do because it's
like a very small role and we were like
I think it would be nice to have the
three of us
>> and that moment we all might never get
in another film
>> yes we never know unless is we do
>> dream girls. [laughter] >> Okay.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. In Sri Lanka.
>> But yeah, I think um people loved it.
People talked about it and I think u
yeah I'm very grateful for that opportunity.
opportunity.
>> Amazing. We have to get into a break.
We'll come back with more after we try
once again. [music]
>> Thank you to our friends at British
Cosmetics for joining us on Dan on Fire.
You can now be a part of this complete
process of being fabulous every single
day with a range that really goes with
everything that's done for the Sri
Lankan audience and at the same [music]
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[music]
>> I just say it. [music]
>> Welcome back to the show. It's K Colbo
and I'm with beautiful
and I wanted to speak about recently you
had you now go on these international ventures.
ventures. >> Mhm.
>> Mhm.
>> Do you travel by yourself?
>> Yes, most of the time.
>> Do you like it?
>> I enjoy being with myself.
>> Oh, really? >> Wow.
>> Wow.
>> You don't?
>> I get really bored. I start talking
arguing to myself. [laughter]
>> That's That's also fun. Yeah, but
scared. Aren't you scared when you travel?
travel?
>> So when I think about it, yes. But when
I if I really want to, if you can put
yourself to it.
>> Yeah, I can do it.
>> Oh my god. I go through CV anxiety
>> in London. I have
>> But people actually scare me then. How
do you do that? Don't go. So what I do
is I go and then late I post pictures.
>> So then people are not going to scare
you. [laughter]
>> Even even my parents,
>> some trips I go. I po I post or I send
them pictures when I come back. And
they're like,
>> she's like, "Oh, when did you go there?" [laughter]
>> Thailand for a few days. Oh, but you
still keep in touch.
>> Yeah, I text. I I keep in touch with my sister.
sister.
>> So, they all think Yeah.
>> Okay, that's great. But, uh, you you
went to China recently and I saw you all
dolled up. That was the reason.
>> Uh, yes. So, that was in October. I was
invited by the China Media Group. uh uh
that's the largest media group in uh
China. Uh so they invited me so the
singhala the Sri Lankan the singhala
related department they invited me
>> uh to host to um we actually did a
couple of content uh for social media
and along with that we did a two-day
shoot we had a two-day shoot uh so it
was a 8 days trip it was a packed shoot
every day we had uh something to shoot
so the first two days we shot a
minieries the the vertical miniseries
that we see on Tik Tok and also It's I
think it's the China short stories. So
we we did one. So I spoke in singular
and Vuni the Chinese girl she spoke in
her name is Vun. Yeah she has a so the
singular department uh oh yeah all
>> like the English name they have they
have a singular name.
>> They have a single. So I met Vuni
Anjali. There were so many and they're
so cool. I think they speak better
singer than us [laughter]
>> and like all the bar because they've
learned it. Yeah. So uh we did uh some
we did a minieries like a four episode
series and then the next few days we
went on a camp we we so they wanted to
you know connect China and Sri Lanka and
to show
>> yeah we are super connected anything
I'm just saying [gasps]
[gasps]
>> yes [laughter]
so they just they just wanted you know
Sri Lankans to see what what China has
and what what it looks like And
sometimes and we also we also did a
program with the Sri Lankan Chinese
students who Sri Lankan students
>> who are in China
>> who in China who are in China
>> mostly medical
>> mostly medical yeah different um c what
what would you call those different
category they're studying different uh
>> subjects [laughter]
>> so Shanu has a problem she forgets the
question halfway down the line she's like
like
>> I know when I look at you I forget
everything I I just
>> you get lost in my I
>> thank God you're wearing the SP.
>> Oh my god.
>> So yeah. So um we had like a you know
like a meet and greet with them. We sang
we sang Chinese songs together. We sang
singular songs together
>> and um yeah it was more like an
interactive um you know couple of
programs we did together. So we still
yet they're still yet to uh be
published. Yeah. Released. might take a
couple of days but yeah you guys can uh
stay tuned
>> the minieries
>> uh I just want to ask you you know
sometimes have you ever wondered what
would have you be if you were not sort
of thrown into this industry because
like when we are born we're not given
it's like this it's like this
>> two times
>> um so it's like Yes.
>> To be fair, she's the first one who
ventured into cinema.
>> Yeah. I was 3 and a half years old. I
actually didn't know what I was doing.
>> Correct. As if you could make a decision
at that time. No, I refuse. [laughter]
>> I I I just started my montur I think and
glad luckily my father directed the film
and my mother took me for shooting. So I
went went to I from 8 to 11 I was in
Montisuri and then after school my mom
took me [laughter] for shooting. So
that's how it happened.
>> So from there onwards I've been doing
this. I actually didn't I didn't know if
I had a different path
>> and but then my I have to I'm always
thankful to my parents. They never
pushed us. They never told us you have
to be an actress, you have to be in the
>> when you understood.
>> Yes. So they they they guided us. They
always tell us to you know it's an they
always tell us it's an opportunity take
it but if we don't like they don't force us.
us.
So um I think I I initially I didn't
know what I was doing but when I came to
a point where where I decided if I
wanted to continue acting if I want to
be an actor uh that's when I thought I'm
I'm going to continue but it's like I'm
not like a full-time actress. I can't do
that. I need breaks in between. I I
don't want to be I I don't want to be
seen in all the teddy dramas, all the
movies every day. I like having breaks
in between and um yeah so I I I really
don't know if there's a different if if
there was a
>> different path for me
>> path for me I I actually don't know but
but I but I did my higher studies um in
marketing uh and my friends some
sometimes my teachers my friends they
ask so what are you going to do with the
marketing degree I think that's that's
exactly what I'm doing now I'm using
marketing to
>> to market what you do exactly same here
I don't know what I learned though
because I forgotten everything.
>> Same the theories I also don't remember
but I think I'm still applying
>> things in a more practical manner. Yeah,
that's true. Because I think everyone
know needs to know how to market.
>> Yeah, I don't think everybody knows to
do that.
>> Yeah, that is true. We're going to take
a break. We'll come back with more. So
>> Welcome back to the show. It's done on
fire and we're checking out Cult Colbo.
I must say Cult Colombo owner is very
much involved in this shoot. I can see that.
that.
>> Yeah, he is very much here. He's our
fourth camera person today. He's there 24/7.
24/7.
>> He can design, he can he can do the
interior, he can make four.
>> Yeah. There's nothing that he can't do.
Come check him out as well.
>> He's also looking for a girl. Oh,
>> he is also looking.
>> Though he was telling me his last target
is to find a girl.
>> Still no. >> No.
>> No.
>> It's everyone's story, man. You know
there's a ratio problem, right? We are
short of men and we have more women.
>> If you can't find women even >> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Why are you sad?
>> No, it's true. It's true. True. Now
>> to be sad, >> Shanu.
>> Shanu.
>> Yes. [clears throat]
>> With time we all mature. We change. Yeah.
Yeah. >> Uh,
>> Uh,
what has these past few years taught
you? Now, actually, you're on my show
after a long time. I mean, I had you
last 2019.
>> Yeah. Around 2020, 22 20 or 2019. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Because your mom came with you.
Like a baba.
>> Yeah. You and came together.
>> Who's the baba? you
>> not me. [laughter]
>> So tell me in these years like you know
I've seen you grow as a person like what
>> Sorry
>> serious question.
you have to be yourself.
>> No matter where you are and what you're
doing or if anybody likes you or not,
you have to be you. And I
[clears throat] think ever since I did
that, I grew up. Why is it nice?
>> You got distracted.
[gasps] So yeah, I think uh yeah, like
you said there till till around 2020
2022, my mom always came behind me and
then at one point she let me do my work
alone and I think that's the greatest
thing my parents did for me and
and
>> letting me take control of myself and I think
think
they don't regret that. I think they're
happy about what and how I'm doing life
now. And uh yeah, I'm still growing. I'm
still learning. I have so much more to
experience in life. But I think I'm
slowly slowly um I'm slowly taking all
the you know taking life and um
>> yeah I've learned so much in my personal
life, my career
>> with everything I've learned so much. uh
family units are very very important and
it's very hard to find a unit that is
supportive that is together.
>> It's a dream like I'm telling you I come
I come from a very united family but
they could be united but they're dead so
we have a shortage of humans. No, it's
it's a truth. Like I'm really short of
humans in my house. So, um I just wanted
to know like every time I you know I I always
always
>> I always put a heart when I see like
yours Christmas because for me it's just
it's bliss that you know y'all could be
on the bigger screens people could you
could have millions of followers none of
that matters if your home is just broken.
broken. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Tell me how how is that unique? How do
you keep and also their faith is so
sweet like you know you expect people
who have such good following like
Dinakshi they are like busy even during
um even during covid time they used to
recite the rosaries and you will have
mass on Sundays and those things are
those things really stay in people's
minds forever.
>> Um tell me about that like how is home
and what is home to you? Ah for me home
is where all of us come together. It's
not just the house. It's about my
parents, my sisters, our partners and
then the kids now.
>> Yeah. It's it's growing and it's very
nice. And
>> I think at the end of the day I want to
always go home. I still live I luckily I
still live with my parents. So I think
um all of these you know the faith or
maybe the unity in the family and
everything it came to us from our
parents um and even our grandparents
like you know it passed down to us over time
time
>> and I think for me my greatest um maybe
my not my achievement but my greatest
asset in life is my family and I would
never trade that for anything and um
Yeah, I think it was it was just the
five of us in the beginning now and then
it became eight, now it's 10
>> and it keeps growing. And I think um
like you said, all thanks to God for I
that's that's my belief. I believe I'm
I'm I'm not like a holy holy person, but
faith is there.
>> Faith is there. I don't go I like back
then when we were kids, my parents used
to take us to church every Sunday. We
did we went to Sunday school. We you
know all of that. But now with all all
our lives like the lifestyles have
changed so we don't get to go to church
every Sunday but
>> we do go to church
>> and the faith is there.
>> It's there and I think that's what
matters. No it's
>> definitely what matters.
>> I've always been very proud of this
family for for the simplicity they have
had and also the growth they have had.
I' I've always told Dakshi like when I
when I see them like when they take one
step when they bought a house I know the
amount of work and I don't know
>> she's the most hardworking one in the
family talk about it
>> God she still has time to look pretty as
well I don't know how
>> and she has time for the child for the
husband for the parents
>> who you know this cult colo I got to see
it first from dinakshi
>> actually me too [laughter]
>> but I'm visiting here again because the
food is really Yes, I also saw her
taking a picture there. I was like, "Oh,
nice place."
>> I thought she I thought she opened a
restaurant also [laughter]
that and she had time to come for these
women. I really don't know how she does it.
it. >> She
>> She
>> and she also chooses her Saranga's clothes.
clothes.
>> Yeah, I think she has to do that.
>> Otherwise, it's terrible. My god.
Saranga before you know she was just
>> we'll not talk about it.
>> It was I have to hold him. But I think I
I've I've got inspired and I've I've so
my for me my role model is my my sister.
I get a lot from I learn a lot from her.
I'm trying to you know be at least half
of what she is. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Um and she and my mom both. But um yeah
I think first is my mom and then my
elder sister.
>> Yeah that's the order also.
>> I mean for me and shadow both we always
look up to them. Yeah.
>> And it's wonderful. I'm really proud of
you all and I really hope only the best
happens to you all. Thank you for being
on the show.
>> Thank you for having me. It was lovely
talking to you
>> and Yeah. Yeah. Why? [laughter]
[laughter]
>> I was listening to what you were saying.
>> Yeah. Thank you so much for having me.
It's nice you know. I I don't go for
programs much because you know they ask
all the unnecessary questions.
like nobody wants to answer those
>> when you ask questions.
>> I don't know if there are people who
wants to answer those but I don't want
>> like stupid things like [laughter]
[laughter]
who cares.
>> Never mind. All right. On that note, we
need to wrap things up. But my shows are
very different like home and company life.
life.
>> I came I'm coming for the next episode also.
also.
>> Yes. Come for everything. Baba [laughter]
[laughter]
I know
we spoke.
>> Oh yes. For how long?
>> Now also we are so much talk.
>> Anyway, bye. We [music] need to say bye
now. We've been waiting to like say bye
for a long time. Okay. Uh thank you
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