Anarkali Akarsha (Sinhala: අනර්කලී ආකර්ෂා;born 12 July 1987 as Anarkali Janina Jayatilaka) is a Sri Lankan actress, model, former politician and beauty pageant titleholder. She was crowned Miss Sri Lanka 2004 and represented Sri Lanka at the Miss World 2004 beauty pageant. She has worked as a brand ambassador & a fundraiser.

Early life and education

Akarsha attended Colombo International School.[citation needed]

Film career

Her first public opportunity to act came when Somaratne Dissanayake and Renuka Balasuriya, who directed and produced the teledrama Iti Pahan in 1995, were in search of a little girl who was fluent in English. In the drama, she performed the role of "Daisy Susan" beside renowned actress Vasanthi Chathurani.

After a nearly seven-year hiatus, she returned to acting in 2003 when, at 15, she was cast in a lead role in Pissu Trible. Subsequently, she performed in several successful movies, and received acclaim in teledrama performances with her roles as "Inoka" in Sihinayak Paata Paatin and 'Tanya' in Santhuwaranaya.

She is the youngest actress to date in the history of Sri Lankan Cinema to win the most popular actress award. She has acted as the leading lady in more than 22 movies and 10 teledramas. She also works as a model, brand ambassador and a presenter.

In 2019, Anarkalli Akarsha was adjudged amongst the Top Three Most Beautiful and Hottest Sri Lankan Actress and Model by N4M Media

Political career

Anarkalli contested the Galle District at the 2009 Southern Provincial Council Election, and on 29 October 2009, she was elected to the Southern Province Council. She is the youngest female councillor to date, and the sole female member on the council. [citation needed]

Career as a host

Anarkalli hosted her own TV show 'Anarkali Live' on TV Derana. She also hosted Derana Music Awards 2010.[citation needed] She hosted her own talk show, LIVE Sunday with Anarkalli on Swarnavahini.[citation needed]

Personal life

Anarkalli currently lives in the US and hosts a Youtube channel.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
2003Pissu TribleNisansala
2005One ShotSherry
2006Hiri Poda WessaVeena
2006AnjalikaKavya
2006NilambareSherine
2006Eka Malaka PethiTaniya
2006Sonduru WasantheAnju
2007Sikuru HatheOIC's daughter
2007Mr Dana Rina
2008Tharaka MalSuranya
2009Sir Last ChanceArti's fiancée
2010Mago Digo DaiRosy
2011King HuntherMoreen
2011Ethumai MethumaiTeena
2013It’s a Matter of LoveNatasha
2015SanjanaSanjana
2016July 7Anarkali
2019Sikuru YogayaHiruni
TBDSihina LowakMain actress

Teledramas

YearFilmRoleOther notes
1995Iti PahanDaisy Susan
2004Sihinayak Paata PaatinInoka
Sapphire and SilkTanya
2004Isi Dasuna
2005Arunodaya Kalapaya
2006SanthuwaranayaTanya
2007Kula KumariyaSuwimali
2007Nethaka Maayavee
2009Sanda Sakki
2010Ran Thaliya WalauwaDosatara nona
2012Adariye
2012Saranganaa
2012Mini Muthu

External links