Nino Araliya Jayakody is recognized for his striking looks and undeniable talented actor with the potential for a sparkling career in the industry. Hailing from Matale, a beautiful and serene city in Sri Lanka, Nino entered the realm of acting in his early twenties, two decades ago. This week’s cover of Youth Observer is dedicated to this young and vibrant actor. The Youth Observer sat down with him to explore his creative journey, uncovering the highs and lows he has encountered along the way as an actor.
Like many young people, Nino Araliya Jayakody found himself on a journey of self-discovery, aware of his creative spirit but unsure of where to begin.
He studied at St. Thomas College in Matale, and shortly after completing his Advanced Level examinations, he enrolled in a Batik course, feeling confident in his painting skills from his younger days.
It was during this time that Nino first ventured to Colombo in response to a newspaper advertisement seeking fashion models. Eager to explore a new path, he initially hoped to become a fashion designer. However, his first experience in the modeling industry was disappointing; he felt embarrassed and disheartened by the unprofessional behavior and lack of respect he encountered. Despite his passion for modeling, he decided to put that dream on hold, feeling that the industry wasn’t mature enough in terms of professionalism.
Mahendra Perera Academy
Nevertheless, Nino continued to search for his creative self and eventually found an opportunity to join the Acting Academy of Mahendra Perera, a place that opened many doors for his acting career. It was actually Nino’s father who submitted the application for the academy, allowing him to join one of the initial batches. “It was a conscious decision I made to become an actor, not a chance occurrence,” Nino emphasized.
Thanks to the guidance of veteran actress Geetha Kanthi Jayakody, Nino met two assistant directors who helped him score a small role in a teledrama, marking his debut on screen.
From 2003 to 2010, Nino was actively engaged with Mahendra Perera’s acting academy, where he formed many friendships with fellow aspiring actors, some of whom now have vibrant careers in acting and directing. During this time, he participated in several theatre plays, including “Thathagatha Kolama,” which made waves in the theatre scene back in 2007. He also had his maiden appearance in cinema with a small role in the film “Machan” by Uberto Pasolini, along with appearances in a few teledramas.
“Machan was one of the best experiences in cinema I ever had. Although it was a small role, I learned a lot from participating in the project,” Nino said. He received the opportunity for this international production through an audition, competing with hundreds of other actors.
As he recalls, when he attended the audition, he was bald because he had to shave his head for a character in the teledrama ‘Sadgunakaraya’ by Asoka Athaudahetti. This look was exactly what Uberto and makeup artist Ebert Wijesinghe were looking for in the character they wanted to cast Nino for. “It was pure luck, and I was fortunate to be selected for that role,” Nino added.
‘Nino Live’
In 2009, Nino hit the jackpot with the opportunity to play the lead role in the film ‘Nino Live’. This was a truly unique chance for any actor, as the film was named after him. “Nino Live” marked the rise of the millennial era in Sri Lankan cinema. It was the directorial debut of Thisara Imbulana and the first film for many actors, including Nino Jayakody and a host of other young newcomers. The film adopted a different approach, inspired by the Hollywood movie ‘The Truman Show’. It tells the story of a young man who lives his entire life within a TV show and ultimately steps out in search of true love.
In a unique twist, Imbulana reimagined the ending of ‘Nino Live,’ revealing that Nino was born into a reality show and had lived his life according to a script written by his father, who was the show’s producer. As he becomes aware of his puppet-like existence, Nino decides to walk away from the reality show to find his true love while another character willingly steps into the role, also in search of love.
“I met Thisara Imbulana at the Mahendra Perera Acting School. He went to India to study film directing and was able to find an Indian producer for his debut film, which is how I got the chance to play the lead role in ‘Nino Live.’ The film is really close to my life, as the entire crew consisted of our close friends, and Thisara incorporated elements of my character and personal life into the film. So, I have a love-hate relationship with my debut film because it closely reflects my own life,” Nino said.
Although ‘Nino Live’ had the potential to be a turning point in Sri Lankan cinema, it was on hold for many years due to the troubled state of the film circuit, which lacked proper authority and practical ways to release films.
The film was eventually released many years after it was produced, but this timing was unfortunate for Sri Lankan cinema, as the industry had collapsed, leaving it devoid of cultural enthusiasm. Many filmgoers had lost interest in watching films in theateres.
For years, Nino has been popular for his lead roles in teledramas, earning immense love from the public. Some of his most popular productions include “Ruwan Maliga,” “Kolam Kuttama,” “A/L Iwarai,” and “Ran Muthu.” As a principled actor, Nino believes he shouldn’t have to chase opportunities; instead, he trusts in his talent and hopes it will pay off one day.
“Sometimes it’s really frustrating to see how some people resort to cheap tactics just to establish themselves in the field and land roles. It’s also sad to acknowledge how true talent can be sidelined by mediocrity. Having a solid career with dignity is not easy, and living as a professional actor without a proper source of income is incredibly hard. I do my best to commit myself as a professional actor because I know that it’s one of the things I’m truly good at. However, sustaining a career as a professional actor is very challenging in today’s highly competitive society,” Nino shared.
A few years ago, Nino found himself at the point of desperation, contemplating quitting his acting career due to the frustration of facing daily mediocrity in the industry. He briefly tried a few jobs overseas, but soon realized that he wasn’t suited for a work life that only provided money without any self-satisfaction. Consequently, he returned to Sri Lanka and resumed his passion for acting with patience.
When discussing the directors he would like to work with, Nino expressed, “I would love to collaborate with Urberto again. I also had a small role in Prasanna Vithanage’s ‘Akasa Kusum’ and eager to work with him again if given the opportunity. I enjoy working with Dennis Perera; his theatre production ‘Gotaimbara Kolama’ was very popular during its run, and I played the main role in the play. I would be thrilled to work with him on a film,” he said.
Concluding the engaging conversation, Nino revealed his ultimate dream as an actor: “An Oscar!” he smiled. “Yes, I want to win an Oscar one day”.
The Youth Observer wishes Nino a vibrant career in acting, hoping he finds more opportunities to showcase his talent and bring glory not only to himself but also to the country.
