# Hemal Ranasinghe

Hemal Sachindra Ranasinghe (Sinhala: හේමාල් සචින්ද්‍ර රණසිංහ; born 25 August 1984) is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema. He has consistently been recognized as one of Sri Lanka's most popular actors since the beginning of his career. His talent has earned him numerous accolades, including awards for 'Best Actor', 'Most Popular Actor', 'Youth Choice Actor', and 'Trend Setter', reflecting his enduring popularity and success in the industry. Hemal started his career as a model, appearing in several advertising commercials. He made his cinema debut in 2012 with Super Six. His achievements continue to grow, and he remains a prominent figure in Sri Lankan cinema today and into the future.

## Personal life

Hemal Sachindra Ranasinghe was born on 25 August 1984, in Matale. He has two elder brothers and one younger brother. His mother Vishaka Chithrangani Mediwaka, his father, and grand father are all Ayurvedic Specialists. His father Senarathne Ranasinghe died while Hemal was in a film shooting on 23 September 2010. He attended St Thomas' College, Matale for his secondary education.
He has stated that both his mother and father were supportive of his decision to make the arts his chosen career. Ranasinghe is versed in Martial Arts, which is a discipline he says he uses even now in his acting career.

## Acting career

Hemal's acting in the film, Super Six, marked as his debut in the film industry. He won the Special Jury Award at the Sarasaviya Awards 2016, a Special Jury Award and "The Most Popular Actor of the Year 2016" at The Fourth Derana Film Awards and The Most Popular Actor of the Year 2016 at the Hiru Golden Film Award for his role in Pravegaya. Hemal presented the television program Ayemath Adaren, which was telecasted on Hiru TV. He acted in only one Teledrama "Eelangata Mokada Wenne" which was telecast on Independent Television Network from 2014 to 2015. He won "Best Supporting Actor" in Rupavahini State Awards 2016 for that character. Since then, and still today, he has been awarded many times for his contributions to the Sri Lankan cinema.

## Beyond acting

In 2009 he participated in "The Model of the World" in Spain, winning the title 'Male Model of the World 2009', as well as the award for 'Best Glamour' and 'Best Catwalk' during the competition.
In 2010, Ranasinghe won the title of Mr. Sri Lanka and represented Sri Lanka at Mister World 2010 in Korea. The Colombo Fashion Week and Sri Lanka Design Festival are the two main shows that Ranasinghe takes part in annually. In 2018, he was appointed as the brand ambassador for People's Leasing & Finance PLC, and OXY in Sri Lanka.
In 2011, he participated in the Swarnavahini Dance Stars Dance competition. After months of competing, Hemal won 1st Runners Up in the competition. He also act as one of three judges of Hiru Super Dancer reality competition.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role |
| 2012 | Super Six | Sanath |
| 2015 | Pravegaya | Hemal Sooriyabandara |
| 2015 | Address Na | Kalinga |
| 2016 | Adaraneeya Kathawak | Abhimana Jayawardena |
| 2016 | Zoom | Nisal |
| 2017 | Bandhanaya | Jayasoma |
| 2017 | Dedunu Akase | Samudra Bandara Dissanayake |
| 2019 | Thaala | Asela |
| 2019 | Vijayaba Kollaya | Nayanananda |
| 2019 | U Turn | Inspector Ranga Dasanayaka |
| 2021 | Colombo | Oscar |
| 2022 | Ashawari | Ranesh Singhewansha |
| 2022 | Second Show | Prasanna |
| 2023 | Ksheera Sagaraya Kalabina | Karali Nayaka |
| 2024 | Sihinayaki Adare | Rehan |
| 2024 | 1970 Love Story | Raveen |
| 2024 | Sihina Nelum Mal | Sahan |
| 2025 | Ice Cream | Dudu |
| TBA | Maariya † | Anthony |
| TBA | Maaya Bonchi (ElephantPass) † | |
| TBA | Devi Kusumasana † | Konappu Bandara |
| TBA | Swans by the Sea † | |
| TBA | The Hidden City † | |
| TBA | The Wife † | Madhava |

## Awards and accolades

His exceptional performances have earned him numerous accolades at local and international film festivals, establishing him as a standout talent in the industry.

### Derana Film Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2016 | People's vote | Most Popular Actor | Won |
| 2016 | Pravegaya | Critic Award | Won |
| 2018 | People's vote | Most Popular Actor | Won |
| 2024 | Ksheera Sagaraya Kalabina | Best Actor in Supporting Role | Nominated |

### Hiru Golden Film Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2016 | People's vote | Most Popular Actor | Won |
| 2016 | Pravegaya | Most Promising Actor | Won |
| 2018 | People's vote | Trend setter | Won |

### Sarasaviya Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2016 | Pravegaya | Jury Award | Won |
| 2016 | Pravegaya | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2019 | Vijayaba Kollaya | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2024 | People's Jury | LUX Most Popular Actor | Won |

### Presidential Film Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2017 | Pravegaya | Best Upcoming Actor | Won |
| 2023 | For portraying different characters in Thaala, U turn & Vijayaba Kollaya | Special Jury Award | Won |

### SLIM Peoples Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2018 | People's vote (By Research) | Actor of the Year | Won |
| 2018 | People's vote (By Research) | Youth Choice Award | Won |
| 2019 | People's vote (By Research) | Actor of the Year | Won |
| 2019 | People's vote (By Research) | Youth Choice Award | Won |
| 2020 | People's vote (By Research) | Actor of the Year | Won |
| 2020 | People's vote (By Research) | Youth Choice Award | Won |
| 2021 | People's vote (By Research) | Actor of the Year | Won |
| 2021 | People's vote (By Research) | Youth Choice Award | Won |
| 2022 | People's vote (By Research) | Actor of the Year | Won |
| 2022 | People's vote (By Research) | Youth Choice Award | Won |
| 2023 | People's vote (By Research) | Youth Choice Award | Won |
| 2024 | People's vote (By Research) | Youth Actor of the Year | Won |

### Rupavahini State Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2016 | Eelangata Mokada Wenne | Best Supporting Actor | Won |

### Signis Film Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2017 | Adaraneeya Kathawak | Best Actor | Nominated |

### HANIFF Awards - Hanoi International Film Festival

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2022 | Maariya | Best Leading Actor of Feature-Length Film | Won |