DINARA PUNCHIHEWA
Pushing boundaries
Breaking stereotypes
Seeing my name under ‘Sri Lanka’ on a platform such as Forbes brings pride as it also increases awareness about Sri Lankan cinema globally
While balancing the roles of actress, filmmaker, daughter, wife and mother, Dinara Punchihewa embraces life with dedication, passion and grace. Combining talent with a love for storytelling earned her a coveted place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024 list.
Dinara’s journey into the spotlight began with her debut short film Maala, which she wrote, directed and starred in. The tale captivated audiences at international film festivals, and marked her rise to fame and prominence.
Her creative prowess and cinematic talent caught the eye of renowned filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage, which led to Dinara being cast in a lead role in Gaadi (also released as Children of the Sun) in 2019 – a movie that masterfully blends history with powerful storytelling.
A graduate of Queen Mary University of London, Dinara seamlessly combines her academic prowess with on-screen charisma by taking on roles that challenge norms and redefine narratives.
Beyond acting, she is the visionary entrepreneur who founded The Punchi Actors Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that’s dedicated to introducing underprivileged children to the magic of theatre and self-expression.
Dinara’s story isn’t only about breaking barriers in cinema. It’s also about using her platform to empower communities and inspire the next generation of actors. Through every role and project, she highlights Sri Lankan talent on the global stage, and remains deeply committed to impactful storytelling and social change.
Tamara Rebeira sat down with the multifaceted Dinara Punchihewa to discuss her manifold achievements and inspiring journey.
FORBES A-LISTER
Q: What was your reaction when you found out that you had been selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30 2024 Asia list?
A: I learned about it when Forbes posted the list on its website and subsequently, I received an email. The news came as quite a shock, and I was genuinely surprised and deeply humbled to be recognised for my work on a global platform.
I’m thankful for this accomplishment. These are things you aspire to achieve but when they actually happen, it takes you by surprise.
Q: And what does this accolade mean to you personally – especially as a young actor from Sri Lanka?
A: Seeing ‘Dinara Punchihewa – Sri Lanka’ on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024 list was extremely gratifying. I was honoured to be able to represent my country on a global platform – especially as a young actor in an industry as small as ours.
Being recognised for the projects I’ve worked on motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and breaking stereotypes with the roles I take on. I hope it inspires other young actors as well.
Q: How do you plan to leverage this recognition to further your goals?
A: I’ve never acted for recognition or accolades because acting is a passion and it was my childhood dream. I always wanted to be an actor so I studied the craft extensively and attended university to major in drama.
While I’m genuinely happy and humbled by this honour, and see it as a great accomplishment, it’s more about continuing to work hard and keep pushing forward.
Q: What advice would you offer other young aspiring actors and filmmakers?
A: First and foremost, be yourself. In this world of social media, many people try to emulate others; but your uniqueness is your niche – so embrace it.
Even if you don’t fit the stereotypical ideal of a woman in films or elsewhere, the landscape is changing. Online platforms seek authenticity – so always stay true to yourself.
Secondly, invest time in studying the craft. With great knowledge comes great power – particularly in understanding technical aspects for actors such as where to stand for a cue.
There are numerous free resources available online so use all your free time wisely and consider participating in workshops. The beginning can be challenging so take on small projects and short films for the invaluable experience they provide.
Lastly, believe in yourself. Amidst tough days of waiting for a call-back or the start of a project, self-confidence is the key. Therefore, be patient, persevere and trust in your abilities.
Q: In what ways do you hope this recognition will help promote Sri Lankan cinema on the global stage?
A: It motivates me to strive harder in my work; and it’s also heartening to see Sri Lankan cinema being recognised on the global stage with many films being shown at international film festivals.
There’s a noticeable shift towards making films that cater to a global audience because they are more informed, thanks to platforms such as Netflix and other online channels that expose us to world cinema.
Seeing my name under ‘Sri Lanka’ on a platform such as Forbes brings pride as it also increases awareness about Sri Lankan cinema globally. It’s rewarding to know that people who may not have been familiar with our island or its films are learning about them on these prestigious platforms.
In this world of social media, many people try to emulate others; but your uniqueness is your niche – so embrace it
ABOUT DINARA
BIRTHDAY
24 October
EDUCATION
Ladies’ College
Queen Mary University of London (BA in drama and theatre)
The Jeff Goldberg Studio – Mumbai (workshops in method acting and film making)
FAMILY
Mother, father, sister, brother, husband and daughter
HABITS
Making her bed in the morning
Having a sweet after lunch (a habit she is trying to quit)
Giving birthday gifts to people she loves
DRIVEN BY
Her goals
YET TO TRY
Seeing the northern lights
GOALS
Do more films including international projects
Open a drama school
LOVES
Family
Friends
Work
PET PEEVES
Not having a rug in the bathroom
A messy bed
Asymmetrical photos
MUST-HAVES
Phone
Wallet
Keys
FAVOURITE ACTIVITIES
Sleeping
Painting
Travelling
LIFE MANTRA
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
THE ACTRESS
Q: Balancing multiple roles such as writing, acting and directing can be challenging. So how do you maintain your creativity and motivation?
A: I’ve been deeply immersed in watching films and reading books since I was a child, and I believe that fuels my creativity. I enjoyed classics such as Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and Steven Spielberg’s Jaws along with movies featuring Shah Rukh Khan.
As I matured, I developed a strong interest in South Korean cinema, as well as the work of Iranian director Asghar Farhadi in The Salesman and A Separation, which are among my favourites. These films have had a profound impact on me and my creativity is largely shaped by such cinematic experiences.
Interestingly, I find myself drawn to observing background artistes more than the main characters. It happens unconsciously – I can easily discern whether they are simply filling space or have been placed with depth and backstory, reflecting skilled direction. When extras are given a narrative and meaningful action, it elevates the production.
Beyond cinema, my inspiration stems from travelling, and immersing myself in diverse cultures, cuisines and real life stories. These experiences also enrich my creative perspective. Personally, my motivation also springs from my prayer life and having a strong support system, which keeps me grounded and focussed.
Q: Which actors have inspired you the most – and why?
A: I admire the work of several artistes. For instance, I love Meryl Streep and Konkona Sen Sharma, and I’ve followed the journey of Alia Bhatt from the beginning of her career to where she is today. Additionally, I deeply admire Swarna Mallawarachchi – both as an actor and a person.
Q: Tell us about your journey from writing and directing Maala to being cast in Gaadi/Children of the Sun…
A: Maala was a short film that I wrote and directed, which portrayed the life of a domestic worker in Colombo. I was discovered by filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage through this project and cast in the lead role in Gaadi for which I had auditioned at number 365.
Looking back, it’s incredibly fulfilling to have had my debut feature film with one of the country’s foremost directors. Gaadi was Vithanage’s 30 year dream – I wasn’t even been born at the time he wrote the script.
It’s a poignant story set in the Kandyan kingdom in 1814, capturing a young girl’s struggle to maintain her dignity amid social pressure in the Rodiya caste. She resists being cast into a role she doesn’t desire, and discovers in the end that self-respect and love are not defined by societal roles but the choices one makes in life. This message remains relevant even today.
We filmed Gaadi for about three months in the forest, preceded by six to seven months of rehearsals. My role as Tikiri will always hold a special place in my heart since it was my debut film and landing that role fundamentally changed my life.
I wouldn’t call myself a method actor but I use a lot of method acting techniques, which I studied in India. In Gaadi for example, I didn’t initially plan to method act. I would wake up at 4 a.m., shoot all day, sleep and then do the same thing for three months. When you’re living in the forest without a home, you automatically become the character.
Q: What are the main challenges you faced along the way?
A: The greatest challenges were setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Easter Sunday attacks and the more recent economic crisis. We shot Gaadi in 2019; and since then, there have been back-to-back obstacles.
I remember writing on social media that sometimes the longer you wait for something, the more appreciative you are when it eventually happens.
Having put in all the work, waiting for the movie to be screened in Sri Lanka was tough. While it did show around the world, there was nothing like the movie screening here at home. There were days when I’d wake up and wonder whether this is what I really wanted to do. But I managed to stay positive and motivated.
The uncertainty was really challenging. There’s a lot of uncertainty around acting in general and when things happen beyond anyone’s control, it adds to the difficulty. All these drawbacks have taught me a lot.
Q: And what career plans do you have in the film industry?
A: I want to keep doing the work that I do. And I take on a lot of female roles that can be a little controversial. In line with this, my next film is about baby farms in Sri Lanka and I play the role of a young mother. I like films with depth, and enjoy challenging myself and living through the skin of the character.
I remember writing on social media that sometimes the longer you wait for something, the more appreciative you are when it eventually happens
MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES
The birth of her daughter
Marrying in her own home
Having fun as a child with her parents and siblings at a horror themed restaurant in Singapore
PUNCHI ACTORS
Q: What inspired you to launch Punchi Actors? And what is the vision behind this organisation?
A: I established Punchi Actors because when I was young, there were very few drama related activities. We had school dramas and some extracurricular activities but they were mostly focussed on singing. If you were serious about acting and wanted to learn, there was nothing available. Today, that’s changing as there are many different opportunities.
With Punchi Actors, I wanted to use drama as a tool to help children through self-expression and confidence building. I also wanted to nurture their dreams and passion for drama. My goal was to create a platform where children could become more aware of drama, attend classes and discover whether they enjoy it or not.
I work with low income communities and offer classes separately, more as a way to give back to society rather than for profit.
Recently, I wrote a book titled ‘Drama and Play: A Drama Activity Book for Children.’ It was distributed free to schools, orphanages and childcare centres, and made available in Sinhala, English and Tamil. The idea is that caregivers and others can use it to engage children in activities.
If I can help nurture even one child in his or her passion for drama, I’d consider my job well done. The name ‘Punchi Actors’ comes from my own (Punchihewa) – and the term punchi also refers to little children, making it a fitting name.
Q: How has Punchi Actors impacted the children involved?
A: Some children attend workshops even though they don’t enjoy drama, either due to shyness or a lack of interest. It’s gratifying to see that by the end of a workshop however, those who were shy or in the background often step up to take on leadership roles, and become the main characters in a play or even write scripts.
It’s fulfilling because I often think that without these workshops, they might never have discovered their passion for drama or had the opportunity to explore it. It’s a sense of accomplishment for me, giving back and sharing with children the knowledge I’ve gained.
Q: In your opinion, what are the critical issues facing young actors from low income families – and how does Punchi Actors address such challenges?
A: The greatest challenge for film making in our country is that acting is not a sustainable career. Compared to the rest of the world, our industry is small and therefore, it can’t be a primary source of income especially for someone from a low income family.
As a young actor, it’s difficult to not be able to rely on acting for your bread and butter.
Through my workshops for children, I strive to address this indirectly. These events focus on confidence building, self-expression and team building, rather than specifically nurturing future actors. The goal is to teach skills that are beneficial in various aspects of life.
The skills learned at drama workshops can enhance other facets of life, making them therapeutic in a way. I’m not a drama therapist; and while my approach isn’t as specialised as that of a drama therapist, I believe there is a positive impact.
Most children I’ve worked with have enjoyed the workshops. There have been a few instances where some children didn’t enjoy it or weren’t too keen at the beginning. Towards the latter part of the sessions however, there was a noticeable change in them. And that transformation is incredibly rewarding for me as a teacher.
Beyond cinema, my inspiration stems from travelling, and immersing myself in diverse cultures, cuisines and real life stories
DESCRIBE SRI LANKA TO FOREIGNERS
There’s no place like Sri Lanka in the world. It is a beautiful country and has something for everyone – you can relax on a beautiful beach, see mountainous terrain, go on a hike or even visit the dry zone. We have wonderful people who are extremely hospitable and you’re missing out if you don’t visit Sri Lanka.
THE PERSON
Q: What does ‘success’ mean to you?
A: Success means happiness.
Q: Do you have a personal mantra or philosophy that you live by?
A: In a world where you can be anything, be kind. ‘YOLO’ – you only live once.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
A: Acting, pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypical roles and taking on diverse characters, and doing more films. There’s a saying: ‘If you love the work you do, you will never work a day in your life.’
I hope to expand Punchi Actors and start my own drama school one day. Right now, it’s still an idea so I’ll work on it in the near future. I also look forward to sitting on a beach and chilling with my family.
Q: What books or movies have impacted your life and career?
A: In terms of movies, I liked The Birds, Jaws and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I remember them very well because they were the first films I was introduced to – and they had a significant impact on me. They are the types of movies that made me feel ‘I want to be inside the TV.’
Another favourite is The Bridges of Madison County – a beautiful film starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. The nuances in the film are incredible and as an actor, achieving that level of virtuosity would be great.
When it comes to books, one of my favourites is The Village by the Sea by Anita Desai. It was a book we studied in school – and it opened my eyes to a different world. How it was written – and the world it created – was very impactful.
Q: And finally, what advice would you offer to those who are setting out to launch a new venture?
A: First, understand the reality and everything that’s around you. Don’t get into something blindly – always research a venture, whether it’s a nonprofit or a potentially profitable business.
Have a plan and trust the process.
The name ‘Punchi Actors’ comes from my own (Punchihewa) – and the term punchi also refers to little children, making it a fitting name
FAVOURITES
TV SHOWS
Breaking Bad
Lupin
Heeramandi
CUISINE
Sri Lankan rice and curry – every day
Thai
Italian
ACTRESSES
Konkona Sen Sharma
Meryl Streep
Alia Bhatt
ACTORS
Shah Rukh Khan
Vicky Kaushal
Tom Hanks