Nifty Nimmi

Ruwini Jayawardana

*On her role as Priya in Akasa Kusum

*Why local filmgoers do not see her more on screen

Now you see her now you don’t! Ever since her entrance to the big screen Nimmi Harasgama’s talent knew no bounds. Though she had only taken part in a handful of projects, this bonny, svelte actress was able to make a lasting impact in her diverse and extraordinary roles.

Breaking into the scene with Prasanna Vithanage’s Ira Madiyama (August Sun), a movie that addresses the post-conflict situation in the country, Nimmi further proved her mettle for acting by playing pivotal roles in a couple of projects. Nanditha in Nita Fernando’s Nisala Gira (Silent Honour), Sister Nirmala in Fabrito da Costa’s international mini-series Mother Theresa and Priya in Vithanage’s much talked about Akasa Kusum (Flowers in the Sky) put her in the spotlight as a versatile actress.

“I’m keen to learn new methods and styles of acting. I don’t think you ever stop learning! There is so much to absorb in this world, not just in acting but in life in general,” retorts the actress who had been a student of Somalataha Subasinghe. She had completed her B.A. (Hons.) in Drama, Theatre Arts from Goldsmiths College, London. Noted for her exceptional acting skills Nimmi even managed to win a scholarship to take part in a workshop aimed at excelling in acting at the New York Film Academy.

An ardent believer of hard work and dedication, Nimmi notes that pre-preparation for roles are essential to bring out the best of talent for the creations. She had practiced this method effectively with the support of her directors and co-actors in her past projects and says that is one of the key ingredients behind her success.

“I also acted in a TV series called Doctors which was aired over the BBC. I played the role of an alcohol addicted mother of two who used to abuse her kids after her drink. More recently I played a pediatrician. My agent in London bagged these roles for me,” she reveals.

On her role in the award winning Akasa Kusum Nimmi states: “I feel honoured to be part of the film. One of the reasons I took up the role is because I got to act in a film starring the legendary Malani Fonseka. As a fellow actor and an executive producer of the project I am thrilled with the response the film and Malani had received.”

While expressing her enthusiasm about the honour and fame that Malani’s exceptional acting skills have brought the country Nimmi states that her character, the stubborn karaoke dancer Priya is indeed a milestone performance on her part because it had been no cakewalk.

“Prasanna sent me the script and I loved it! When he said he had me in mind for Priya’s role, I was ecstatic. Priya was a challenging role as she was so unlike me. However at the end of the day you realize that she is also a human being trying to survive the battle with life - like all of us! I wanted to capture that essence and bring it to the fore,” she opines her view of the tragic heroine in the movie.

On her more recent escapades she adds: “Right now I am working on a short film script for a British Asian director called Smita Bhide who won the Raindance film festival last year. She came to me with the idea that I write the script and act in it and she will direct it.”

She had also written a theatre show for her online character, auntie Netta, which is being showcased by Tamasha Theatre Company in UK next month.

As the topic shifts to her rare appearances on screen Nimmi hastens to add that she is eager to work on home-based projects.

“My dream is to work equally in the West and in Sri Lanka. There is a wealth of talent in the local film and theatre industry. I am enthusiastic to visit my country and commit myself to more creations,” she concludes.