There are actors who perform a role, and then there are actors who completely disappear into one. Dhananjaya Siriwardena belongs in the second category.

When I watched Mother Lanka, I was genuinely blown away by his portrayal of Sathya, a transgender woman. It wasn’t just brave—it was incredibly tasteful, deeply respectful, and filled with so much humanity. It reminded all of us just how versatile he is as an actor. Personally, I’m still waiting for the day he receives a Best Actor award for that performance, because I truly believe he deserves it.

Away from the screen, Dhananjaya is just as fascinating. He’s witty, unpredictable, and has a sense of humour that, quite honestly, sometimes only he understands! But having recently worked with him on the set of his upcoming project, I discovered another side of him—a phenomenal director. He creates a space where actors are encouraged to improvise, explore, and truly own their characters. It’s a rare quality, and one that brings out the very best in everyone around him.

Sri Lanka is fortunate to have artists who continue to challenge themselves and push creative boundaries, and Dhananjaya is undoubtedly one of them.

This week on Buzz with Danu, we talk about his remarkable journey, the unforgettable Sathya from Mother Lanka, his exciting new teledrama තාප්පෙන් පැන්නා, and why he believes the biggest wall we need to jump over is the one inside our own minds.

Read all about him on The Buzz with Danu.

1. Over the years, what has changed the most in you as an actor?

When I started my journey, I thought there were only two kinds of roles—heroes and villains. But after more than two decades, I’ve realised there are hundreds of characters living inside me. Looking back, I still can’t believe I’ve had the opportunity to play such a wide range of roles. I feel I’ve become unlimited when it comes to characterisation, and that has been the greatest gift acting has given me.

2. Your new teledrama තාප්පෙන් පැන්නා has already created curiosity. What made you believe in this story?

The concept itself came out of me, so the moment it was born, I was already inside it. We always talk about taking acting to the next level or directing to the next level, but why don’t we speak about taking writing to the next level?

I allowed this idea to grow within me, and eventually I had no option but to make it. I believed in it too much not to.

This isn’t just a story for today. It can apply to any generation, and I actually think people will understand it even more tomorrow than they do today. I still believe people have intelligence—they just don’t always use it. We rely so heavily on AI that we forget we can raise our own level of thinking. If we stop thinking for ourselves, AI will eventually think for us.

The title තාප්පෙන් පැන්නා has many meanings. Think outside the box—or at least jump over the wall you’ve built around your own mind. Only then will you realise you’ve been a prisoner inside it. Siddhartha jumped over the palace walls. Bertolt Brecht jumped over the chalk circle. Every person we admire as a hero has crossed a wall. So don’t be afraid to jump yours, as long as the purpose is meaningful.

3. Your role as Sathya in Mother Lanka was one of the boldest performances of your career. What went through your mind when you accepted it?

I felt blessed. Out of all the actors they could have chosen, director Anusha and writer Krishanthi had enough confidence to trust me with Sathya.

It was the riskiest character I’ve ever accepted because, as actors, we don’t simply play ourselves—we remove ourselves completely and allow someone else to exist within us. That challenge excited me.

After many conversations with Anusha and Krishanthi, I finally said yes. From that moment, it became a three-month journey that I still can’t believe I experienced.

4. How did you prepare for such a sensitive role?

If you say the performance felt authentic, then I feel I’ve done justice to the character. I never wanted to imitate anyone. I wanted Sathya to feel real, genuine and truthful—not a performance, but a human being.

I have to be honest, though. Around 98% of the transgender community didn’t really help me during my preparation. I don’t know why—they simply ignored me. Only a handful of people opened their doors, and I’ll always be grateful to them.

Ironically, after the film was released, almost everyone from that community appreciated me personally. Very few were willing to publicly say it.

I took a huge risk to portray Sathya and that community with dignity and strength. Sometimes that’s how life works. People expect you to do something different and challenging, but very few actually help you get there.

That said, I owe so much to my production team, my friends and my colleagues. They helped me become the Sathya people saw on screen.

5. Was there one scene that stayed with you long after filming?

Yes. The moment my daughter comes to me and calls me “Amma.” I asked her to call me three times. For me, that is the most powerful moment in the entire film.

6. What do you hope audiences take away from Sathya’s story?

Every human being is different. As long as you are not cheating yourself or pretending to be someone else, you have every right to live the life that feels true to you.

Society will always judge.

Listen to your own heart.

Be real.

Don’t spend your life acting.

Be the person you truly are.

7. You’re an actor, director, writer and acting coach. Which role challenges you the most?

That’s an interesting question because it made me stop and think.

Personally, I enjoy acting more than anything. But I take art very seriously, so whatever I do, I want to do it properly.

I believe effort matters more than success. We all fail sometimes, and that’s okay if we’ve given everything we have. But expecting great things without putting in the work doesn’t make sense.

When I know I’ve given 100%, I sleep well at night. Every project is another opportunity to discover something new about myself.

8. Have you ever turned down roles?

Many times. That’s probably one reason I’m not appearing on every “popular” list these days. I don’t accept every role that comes my way. Of course, sometimes we all take work simply because we have bills to pay. That’s the reality of being an actor. I think most great actors face that dilemma. But if I genuinely feel I have nothing meaningful to do in a character, I turn it down.

If I do accept it, I challenge myself to elevate the role beyond what’s on paper. That way, everyone wins—including the people who created it.

9. You’ve already seen the audience’s reaction to Mother Lanka. What has that meant to you?

The response to Sathya has been the greatest reaction I’ve received in my entire acting career.

I’m deeply grateful to my audience.

They loved me.

They brought me here.

I’m living this life because of them.

Thank you for believing in me and for giving me the courage to keep challenging myself.

10. Finally, what would you like to tell viewers before they watch තාප්පෙන් පැන්නා?

I’m eagerly waiting to hear what audiences think.

This is my second project as a director after Sidadiye Samanaliyo and my second project as a writer after Number 9. Chamara Prasanna Kodithuwakku joins me as co-writer, and the wonderful Chandana Samarawickrama is producing it.

It’s coming to ITN with an incredible cast and crew.

As a team, we’ve worked hard to tell a story that’s different. I simply ask audiences to watch it with an open mind.

Try to understand it.

And when you do…

Get ready to jump over the wall with us.