# 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 he himself would not accept as the Consul General in Milan due to disappointment of the government's conduct.

## 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

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1971 | Sadahatama Oba Mage | Assistant manager | Minor Role |
| 1974 | Kasturi Suwanda | | Minor Role |
| 1976 | Nilla Soya | | |
| 1977 | Chandi Putha | | |
| 1977 | Yakadaya | Dancer | |
| 1978 | Chandi Shyama | | |
| 1978 | Asha Dasin | | |
| 1980 | Mal Kekulu | | |
| 1981 | Chanchala Rekha | Kapila | Debut an Actor |
| 1982 | Halo Shyama | | |
| 1982 | Mihidum Sihina | | |
| 1984 | Bambara Patikki | | |
| 1986 | Peralikarayo | Chuty Malli | Also as a playback singer |
| 1986 | Yali Hamuwennai | | |
| 1987 | Nommara Ekai | Datha Khan | First Bandu-Tenny Dou |
| 1987 | Yukthiyada Shakthiyada | | |
| 1988 | Angulimala | Basura | |
| 1990 | Thanha Asha | Perera | |
| 1990 | Dedunnen Samanaliyak | | |
| 1990 | Hitha Honda Puthek | Bandu | |
| 1990 | Madhu Sihina | Appu | |
| 1990 | Weera Udara | | |
| 1991 | Bambara Kalape | | |
| 1991 | Paradise | | Guest appearance |
| 1991 | Cheriyo Doctor | Marmite | |
| 1991 | Ali Baba Saha Horu 40 | | |
| 1992 | Ranabime Weeraya | | |
| 1992 | Okkoma Kanapita | Kanapita | |
| 1992 | Sinhayangeth Sinhaya | | |
| 1992 | Sakkara Sooththara | | |
| 1992 | Raja Daruwo | | |
| 1993 | Soorayan Athara Weeraya | | |
| 1993 | Chaya | Johnny | |
| 1994 | 1950 Mulleriyawa | | |
| 1994 | Love 94 | Bakar | |
| 1994 | Athma | Foreman's supporter | |
| 1994 | Sujatha | | |
| 1994 | Hallo My Darling | | |
| 1995 | Rodaya | Sudha | First direction and producing |
| 1995 | Mama Baya Ne Shyama | M.S. Anandan | |
| 1995 | Inspector Geetha | | |
| 1995 | Vairayen Vairaya | | |
| 1995 | Cheriyo Captain | Huntin / Fruit salad | Dual role |
| 1996 | Weediye Weeraya | | |
| 1996 | Cheriyo Darling | Marmite | |
| 1997 | Pemmal Mala | Murichchi Silva | Second direction and producing. Also playback singing. |
| 1998 | Re Daniel Dawal Migel 1 | Daniel | |
| 1999 | Kolompoor | A.S.P. Bandu | |
| 1999 | Koti Sana | | |
| 2000 | Kauda Bole Alice | Janaka 'Alizina 'Alice' Almeida' | |
| 2001 | Hai Hui Babi Achchi | Bandu 'Miss Dimple Mylawa' | |
| 2001 | Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2 | Daniel | |
| 2001 | Pissu Puso | Dougie / Prema 'Prem' Kumara Mahanama | Dual role |
| 2001 | Oba Koheda Priye | Princy | |
| 2002 | Parliament Jokes | E.K. Karolis | |
| 2002 | Cheriyo Holman | | |
| 2002 | Pissu Double | Tintin | |
| 2002 | Jolly Hallo | Brando | Sarasaviya Award - Creative Performance |
| 2002 | Somy Boys | Bush/Bandusena Mudalali | Dual role |
| 2002 | Seethala Gini Kandu | Addiya | |
| 2003 | Ra Daniel Dawal Migel 3 | "007" Daniel | |
| 2003 | Pissu Trible | Junda | |
| 2003 | Sepata Dukata Sunny | Sunny | |
| 2003 | Sundarai Adare | Towel Boy | |
| 2003 | Numba Nadan Apita Pissu | Baby Sam Talky / Mr. Almeida | |
| 2004 | Rajjumala | Sekara | |
| 2004 | Left Right Sir | | Third direction |
| 2005 | James Bond | Bond aka Banda | |
| 2006 | Ali Patio Oyai Mamai | Theft | |
| 2006 | Rana Hansi | | |
| 2006 | Supiri Balawatha | Eddie | |
| 2007 | Hai Master | Bandara | |
| 2007 | Jundai Gundai | Junda | |
| 2008 | Ai Oba Thaniwela | | |
| 2010 | Ape Yalu Punchi Boothaya | Isurusiri-the Astrologist | |
| 2011 | Thank You Berty | Norty | |
| 2013 | Peeter One | Peeter | Fifth direction |
| 2013 | Seetha Man Awa | Rama | |
| 2015 | My Name is Bandu | Bandu | Nominated for "Derana Film Awards Best Comedy Role" |
| 2018 | Yama Raja Siri | John | |
| 2024 | Buffalo Travels | | |

## Director and actor

| Year | Film | Note |
| 1995 | Rodaya | Producer |
| 1997 | Pemmal Mala | Producer |
| 2004 | Left Right Sir | Producer |
| 2010 | Dara Garaj | Director, producer |
| 2013 | Peter One | Co-producer |

## 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