# Chum Ehelepola

Chum Ehelepola is an Australian actor, film maker and teacher. Ehelepola has recently starred as Dennis in the ABC TV series, The Newsreader, and is also cast as Jagadish in the streaming series Nautilus.

## Early life

Ehelepola was born in New Zealand and raised in both Sri Lanka and Australia. Ehelepola attended Hampton Senior High School in the Perth suburb of Morley, Western Australia.

## Career

Ehelepola has also starred in a number of Australian TV series, including No Activity, Stateless, The Straits, and as Lionel in the Australian comedy series Preppers.
Due to greater opportunities for actors from diverse backgrounds, Ehelepola relocated to Los Angeles and appeared in a number of US television shows whilst residing there, including the AMC series Lodge 49 and the Netflix series Lady Dynamite. He was also cast in the role of Ramtish in the Disney live action film, Mulan.

## Filmography

Television appearances :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2024 | Nautilus | Jagadish | 6 episodes |
| 2021–25 | The Newsreader | Dennis Tibb | 18 episodes |
| 2023 | One Night | Andrew | 4 episodes |
| 2023 | We Interrupt This Broadcast | Antiques Roadshow Host | 4 episodes |
| 2021 | Preppers | Lionel | 6 episodes |
| 2020 | Stateless | Oshan | 2 episodes |
| 2018-19 | Lodge 49 | Anil | 4 episodes |
| 2017 | Lady Dynamite | Dr. Ronjon Runningstream | 1 episode |
| 2017 | Throwing Shade | Banker 3 | 1 episode |
| 2016 | No Activity | Steve | 3 episodes |
| 2016 | Doctor Doctor | Daniel | 1 episode |
| 2016 | Rake | Jeffery | 1 episode |
| 2014 | Sequestered | Ramesh | 12 episodes |
| 2014 | How to Talk Australians | Mr D'Silva | 1 episode |
| 2014 | Courtside | Naveen | 6 episodes |
| 2013 | Bones | Mo Khan | 1 episode |
| 2012 | The Moodys | Chris | 4 episodes |
| 2012 | Redfern Now | Ubit | 1 episode |
| 2012 | The Straits | Joseph | 5 episodes |
| 2011 | Sea Patrol | Vadara | 1 episode |
| 2011 | Laid | Van | 1 episode |
| 2007 | Comedy Inc. | | 1 episode |
| 2007 | All Saints | Chris | 1 episode |
| 2005 | The Surgeon | Dr. Ravi Jayawardener | 8 episodes |
Film appearances :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2020 | Mulan | Ramtish | |
| 2016 | Another Time | Tim | Short |
| 2016 | Open House on Beverely | Shuman | Short |
| 2015 | Super Awesome | Shae da Silva | |
| 2012 | Intersecting Beauty | Hussain | Short |
| 2012 | Four Season of Love | The Tree | Short |
| 2012 | Status Update: A Facebook Fairytale | Amit | Short |
| 2009 | Traces | Gunn | Short |
| 2009 | Frances and Annie | Ambulance Officer #2 | Short |
| 2009 | Natural Selection | Nick | Short |
| 2009 | Franswa Sharl | George | Short |
| 2008 | Scary Loney Wolves | | |
| 2007 | Spider | Gas Station Attendant | Short |
| 2007 | Cross Life | Roman | |
| 2006 | Playing with Piranhas | Keith | |
| 2006 | Happy Birthday | El | Short |
| 2005 | Don't Say a Word | Mahesh | |

## Personal life

Ehelepola is a qualified Civil Engineer, having attended Curtin University. Ehelepola followed his passion of acting, taking the path of washing dishes, serving coffee and acting classes on the way to building a successful acting career. After residing in Los Angeles for a period of time, Ehelepola returned with his family to Australia and currently resides in NSW.
Ehelepola also founded the Sydney Actors Collective, providing acting classes to aspiring Australian acting talent.