Kamal Addararachchi

Addararachchige Gunendra Kamal (born on 5 February 1962: කමල් අද්දරආරච්චි), popularly known as Kamal Addararachchi, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television, as well as a singer and presenter. He made his debut as an actor in Gamini Fonseka's 1981 film Sagarayak Meda, whilst he was a still a student at school. Since the late 1970s, he has appeared in a variety of roles in many films and teledramas. He has acted in over 40 films, 20 teledramas and six stage plays, and won the Sarasaviya Best Actor Award for his role of Sobana in Jayantha Chandrasiri's film Agnidahaya in 2002.

He also made a mark as a singer in 1993 with "Unmadawoo," a duet with Damayanthi Jayasooriya, which was featured in the film Saptha Kanya. He was also the host of the first three seasons of Sirasa Superstar, a reality show, and the first season of Hiru Mega Stars.

Background
He completed his education from Wesley College, Colombo.

He showed an initial interest in artistic work, and this prompted him to do music, Sinhala literature, Kandyan Dancing and debating, all at the same time. He even worked as the secretary of the 'Sinhala Literary Society' whilst at school.

He is married to Anurani Addararachchi and has two sons. He was an English teacher as well.

Career
The play Ane Ablick was staged in Colombo in 1978, marked Kamal's first significant public theatre performance. Addararachchi, who broke into the silver screen with Gamini Fonseka's Sagarayak Meda, rose to immense popularity with hits such as Saptha Kanya.

He is noted for his performances in films such as Saptha Kanya by H. D. Premaratne and Agnidahaya by Jayantha Chandrasiri, and teldramas like Hiruta Muvaven by Herbert Ranjith Peiris, Rathu Rosa by Ranjan De Silva, and Weda Hamine and Dandubasna Maanaya by Jayantha Chandrasiri.

His performance on the mini screen for Dandubasna Maanaya was twice rewarded at the inaugural Sumathi Tele Awards ceremony in 1995, when he received the award for Best Supporting Actor as well as the Most Popular Actor Award.

In July 2012, he appeared his first music video, with Mahendra Perera and Dayan Witharana, for the song "Hithagaawa" by Tilan Fernando. The music video was directed by Prasanna Andradi and released in the first week of December 2012.

He has not appeared in a teledrama since 2005.

Awards
1995 – Sumathi Best Supporting Actor Award

1995 – Sumathi Most Popular Actor Award

1996 – Best Supporting Actor Presidential Award

2002 – Sarasaviya Best Actor Award

2019 – Best Actor Presidential Award