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Full name : Yoshini Umanga Abeysekera
Nickname : Yoshi, Yosh, Yo
Eye colour : Brown
Hair colour: Dark brown
Height : 5’9’
Waist : 28
Bust : 34
Life’s motto : Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible! - Audrey Hepburn
Education : Studied at Ladies’ College, obtained an AMI Montessori Diploma at Cambridge College.
Yoshi is the complete opposite. She was featured in many commercials on TV and her debut movie Que Sera Sarah is set to screen in December. I would say she is one of the nicest and most humble people I have ever met. I am sure she can easily be mistaken for India’s diva Deepika Padukone, but with more of a human touch.
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Yoshi, from a rating of 1 to 10 (1 being the best) how would you rank yourself as an actress?
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So is it true that you have a phobia for ramp modelling and music videos?
I would rate myself as a 6. This is because I am in the early stages of my career as an actress. It’s hard to compare the experience as an actress in a movie and also the experience of being in a TV commercial. Both are equally challenging. Both have their pluses and minuses. But as an actress the experience and the daring moments you have to play through the movies are very exciting and tougher. This is such a wonderful experience and I love being a part of these two worlds of acting.
Now we have multi-talented stars, even Priyanka Chopra recorded with Pitbull, and why not you? Shy?
Well it’s not about being shy, I wouldn’t say that , if I’m a shy person I won’t be in this industry. In fact, I love music and I managed to be a part of the school choir as well. But sometimes we need to know what we are best at and are comfortable with. So at the moment my priority is to focus on acting. But yes if I do get the chance to sing , why not? I will give it a shot. Maybe I will reveal my hidden talents. It’s all about multitasking. And it has to be something you want to do.
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Phobia is a very dangerous word I would say. Certainly that is not what’s keeping me away. Well I personally think that when you choose this line of work as a model or as an actress you eventually become a public figure. You need to draw a line at a certain point. Before you do that, you need to set standards and have your own policies. You can be multi-talented, but for me I believe that I want people to remember me as a certain figure and they will remember it forever. Anyway , I do love the ramp and I think you need some confidence to bring such character to a show.
In your debut movie ‘Que Sera Sarah’ which is going to be premiered in August, your character is a ghost. In real life who will you haunt if you become a ghost?
In your debut movie ‘Que Sera Sarah’ which is going to be premiered in August, your character is a ghost. In real life who will you haunt if you become a ghost?
This is very interesting, I’m sure everyone would want to be a ghost at some part of their life. Especially when you are let down in life at a certain point. To become a ghost will definitely come in the best interest. As for me, whom shall I haunt? I may have a list but let’s just say I’ll haunt them in my own way. But mostly as a friendly ghost.
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What kind of training have you received in terms of acting?
To be honest I have not received any training as such, I have worked with the best and they have guided me and believed in me. So with such confidence I play my characters well. They say that a director is never happy; it’s also that the director needs to bring out the best in you. I have been in this industry since I was 18, from the time I did my first TV commercial. I was not even called for a screen test and thanks to my wonderful director Mr.Steve, I succeeded and he guided me throughout. I was able to go a long way in the world of TV commercials, but yet throughout I have worked with the best directors and learned something new.
To be honest I have not received any training as such, I have worked with the best and they have guided me and believed in me. So with such confidence I play my characters well. They say that a director is never happy; it’s also that the director needs to bring out the best in you. I have been in this industry since I was 18, from the time I did my first TV commercial. I was not even called for a screen test and thanks to my wonderful director Mr.Steve, I succeeded and he guided me throughout. I was able to go a long way in the world of TV commercials, but yet throughout I have worked with the best directors and learned something new.
But my heartfelt gratitude goes to my uncle Mr Parakrama Jayasinghe , who is also the director of the movie that I did, (Que Sera Sarah). When he gave me the role of a ghost and I read the script I was intrigued by it as it was such a daring role, I couldn’t have done it without him of course. He had so much confidence in me, I just needed to believe in the character I was playing and he highlighted my emotions . Acting cannot be done by training as such; he wanted everything to be as natural as it can be. When you are acting there has to be some act of class - a beauty that you need to follow. You need to love the character that you play. That’s what he always wanted from me.
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As you may have experienced, Sri Lanka can sometimes be a land of stereotypes. Most often the older generation label models, actresses and flight attendants to have no proper social character. As a former airline hostess, a model and an actress, what is your view on this matter?
I personally, as a woman, wouldn’t want to comment similarly. Every individual has their opinion and desires. A woman needs to be respected and treated the same as a man. As far as I know the majority of people never question a man, whatever field you work in, it’s up to you to make your mark or brand. Like I said you need to set your standards, it’s up to the others to believe you or not. As long you know what you're doing is right, that’s all that matters. We as humans make mistakes, if not the world will be a better place. You make mistakes and you learn from them, but you have to make sure you don’t repeat them. You need to know where to draw the line. Respect yourself first and then your work. If you damage yourself, it is you who are going to lose, so we should all try not to be a lost soul.
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Do you believe you need stronger routes such as networks, contacts, push etc. to reach the top? Did you have any?
I believe in luck and hard work to reach the top. Of course you need stronger routes and networks. Most importantly you should meet the right people at the right time. But you have to be wise to choose which one of them will help you genuinely. This is all a battle, and you fight to get what you want and where you want to be in a couple of years. You need to set goals and targets. Remember that your hard work carries a lot of weight and then eventually contacts will be made, you will be pushed, and by no time you are on the top. And in the end it’s you who have reached there.
So far that is what I have done. I worked my way through them all. Opportunities don’t come along often, so, when they do; you have to grab them with both hands.
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I personally, as a woman, wouldn’t want to comment similarly. Every individual has their opinion and desires. A woman needs to be respected and treated the same as a man. As far as I know the majority of people never question a man, whatever field you work in, it’s up to you to make your mark or brand. Like I said you need to set your standards, it’s up to the others to believe you or not. As long you know what you're doing is right, that’s all that matters. We as humans make mistakes, if not the world will be a better place. You make mistakes and you learn from them, but you have to make sure you don’t repeat them. You need to know where to draw the line. Respect yourself first and then your work. If you damage yourself, it is you who are going to lose, so we should all try not to be a lost soul.
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I believe in luck and hard work to reach the top. Of course you need stronger routes and networks. Most importantly you should meet the right people at the right time. But you have to be wise to choose which one of them will help you genuinely. This is all a battle, and you fight to get what you want and where you want to be in a couple of years. You need to set goals and targets. Remember that your hard work carries a lot of weight and then eventually contacts will be made, you will be pushed, and by no time you are on the top. And in the end it’s you who have reached there.
So far that is what I have done. I worked my way through them all. Opportunities don’t come along often, so, when they do; you have to grab them with both hands.
