Bandu Samarasinghe


Kala Bhushana Bandusena Samarasinghe, popularly known as Bandu, 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 was a mechanic and his mother Lellagaha Goda Iskole Hamine 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

YearFilmRoleNotes
1971Sadahatama Oba MageAssistant managerMinor Role
1974Kasturi SuwandaMinor Role
1976Nilla Soya
1977Chandi Putha
1977YakadayaDancer
1978Chandi Shyama
1978Asha Dasin
1980Mal Kekulu
1981Chanchala RekhaKapilaDebut an Actor
1982Halo Shyama
1982Mihidum Sihina
1984Bambara Patikki
1986PeralikarayoChuty MalliAlso as a playback singer
1986Yali Hamuwennai
1987Nommara EkaiDatha KhanFirst Bandu-Tenny Dou
1987Yukthiyada Shakthiyada
1988AngulimalaBasura
1990Thanha AshaPerera
1990Dedunnen Samanaliyak
1990Hitha Honda PuthekBandu
1990Madhu SihinaAppu
1990Weera Udara
1991Bambara Kalape
1991ParadiseGuest appearance
1991Cheriyo DoctorMarmite
1991Ali Baba Saha Horu 40
1992Ranabime Weeraya
1992Okkoma KanapitaKanapita
1992Sinhayangeth Sinhaya
1992Sakkara Sooththara
1992Raja Daruwo
1993Soorayan Athara Weeraya
1993ChayaJohnny
19941950 Mulleriyawa
1994Love 94Bakar
1994AthmaForeman's supporter
1994Sujatha
1994Hallo My Darling
1995RodayaSudhaFirst direction and producing
1995Mama Baya Ne ShyamaM.S. Anandan
1995Inspector Geetha
1995Vairayen Vairaya
1995Cheriyo CaptainHuntin / Fruit saladDual role
1996Weediye Weeraya
1996Cheriyo DarlingMarmite
1997Pemmal MalaMurichchi SilvaSecond direction and producing. Also playback singing.
1998Re Daniel Dawal Migel 1Daniel
1999KolompoorA.S.P. Bandu
1999Koti Sana
2000Kauda Bole AliceJanaka 'Alizina 'Alice' Almeida'
2001Hai Hui Babi AchchiBandu 'Miss Dimple Mylawa'
2001Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2Daniel
2001Pissu PusoDougie / Prema 'Prem' Kumara MahanamaDual role
2001Oba Koheda PriyePrincy
2002Parliament JokesE.K. Karolis
2002Cheriyo Holman
2002Pissu DoubleTintin
2002Jolly HalloBrandoSarasaviya Award – Creative Performance
2002Somy BoysBush/Bandusena MudalaliDual role
2002Seethala Gini KanduAddiya
2003Ra Daniel Dawal Migel 3"007" Daniel
2003Pissu TribleJunda
2003Sepata Dukata SunnySunny
2003Sundarai AdareTowel Boy
2003Numba Nadan Apita PissuBaby Sam Talky / Mr. Almeida
2004RajjumalaSekara
2004Left Right SirThird direction
2005James BondBond aka Banda
2006Ali Patio Oyai MamaiTheft
2006Rana Hansi
2006Supiri BalawathaEddie
2007Hai MasterBandara
2007Jundai GundaiJunda
2008Ai Oba Thaniwela
2010Ape Yalu Punchi BoothayaIsurusiri-the Astrologist
2011Thank You BertyNorty
2013Peeter OnePeeterFifth direction
2013Seetha Man AwaRama
2015My Name is BanduBanduNominated for "Derana Film Awards Best Comedy Role"
2018Yama Raja SiriJohn
2024Buffalo Travels

Awards