Meet Sadithi De Zilva, a Sri Lankan born actress based in New York City, has been making waves in the international film circuits and making her presence felt in theatrical productions. Her foray into the arts began when she was selected for the Bravo–Lamda program, a training ground for aspiring actors. Sadithi is also a graduate from New York’s Pace University’s BFA acting program which gave her the tools to pursue her passions in cinema and the theatre. Her starring roles in films include performances in the short films such as the ‘Teething’ in 2017 and ‘The Silent’ in 2018. Her latest starring role came in 2024 with the movie ‘Just One More Thing’ produced by her production company Scrappack Productions which she co-founded with her friend Madeline Coronato. Her flair for acting extends beyond the silver screen and translates to onstage performances and includes the plays titled ‘Vermont’ written by Rachel Carey and One Day Down by Samantha Toy Ozeas.
So what inspired this exciting new talent to take on the world of Cinema? “It all started with my Ammi playing Bollywood movies while she cleaned”. “I was obsessed—I thought the stories were real for the longest time! When my mom explained they weren’t, I was fascinated and knew I wanted to do what they were doing.”
Sadithi moved to Hong Kong when she was young and threw herself into learning English just so she could join Community Theatre. “I was hooked immediately,” says Sadithi, from there, she started making “movies” with her friends which were very dramatic home videos, and would be always be on the lookout for local auditions. This young talent has come a long way since her home movie making days, Sadithi has not only acted in various projects but also started producing and directing and co-owns a production company.
The waiting game
One of the best things about owning her own company according to Sadithi is that it feels remarkable to generate opportunities for oneself and others, especially in an industry where one has to get accustomed to play the waiting game.
The cinema world can be a daunting place for a young actress, so how does she handle rejection or feedback, especially when it comes to auditions or reviews? For Sadithi, her foray into all things related to producing has instilled a lot of insight within her and has opened her mind into what the film making industry demands of its actors.
“It’s honestly second nature at this point, rejection is just a part of the industry, and most of the time, it’s not even personal. Casting directors have such specific visions, and even if you’re talented, you might not fit the exact idea they have in their head,” says Sadithi.
Sadithi has played quite a few diverse characters; in her first short film, titled the Teething – Thank You and come again she pays a young woman embroiled in an encounter with an older man leading her to experience an unsettling situation. In the Silent, Sadithi takes on the role of a schoolgirl who has her whole world turned upside down by a dark secret that plagues the school, and her latest film, Just One More Thing explores the heartfelt journey of self discovery, when two best friends confront their relationship on the night ahead of a big departure.
Are there any particular roles or genres that has caught her eye or she would hope to act in the future? “Oh, absolutely” says Sadithi, my guilty pleasure would be playing a cartoon or video game character. There’s something so magical about lending your voice and energy to something so animated — literally and figuratively.”
Sadithi says she loves horror and would love to continue acting in that genre as it’s such a fun genre to work in because it pushes one to explore extreme emotions, but she would also love to try her hand at a comedy or even a musical one day!
Constructive criticism
It is a hard industry for any up and coming artist. So it is important to surround oneself with positive reinforcements and constructive criticism and Sadithi adheres towards just that. “I have learned to value opinions from people I really trust — such as mentors or close friends, their perspective matters more to me than a random opinion, even if it’s in a review. And while most reviews I’ve gotten have been kind, I try not to let them define how I see myself or my work.”
Sadithi loves characters who feel real, as a South Asian girl with an accent, stereotypical two dimensional characters are all too frequent. I look out for a “fully fleshed-out, complex character” says Sadithi, “I love characters who feel real—who have layers, flaws, and quirks. That’s what makes them fun to play and what draws me to a role.”
One of her most challenging roles was playing Mina in a theater production called Vermont by Rachel Carey. The show is set in the ’70s, and Mina and her husband decide to join a commune to fix their marriage. “At the time, I was going through a rough patch in my own relationship, so some of the scenes really hit home. There were moments when the lines blurred between my character’s emotions and my own, and that was hard but also cathartic. It taught me so much about vulnerability and bringing authenticity to a role, even when it’s uncomfortable.”
For a young actress with numerous acting credits under her belt in film, theatre and as a producer how does she find the time to balance all her schedule? “Oh, so poorly! I am constantly juggling so many things at once, my to-do lists are endless, for example, I just co-directed and produced a film, and it felt like I was switching hats every five minutes. One moment, I’d be organising a schedule; the next, I’d be checking on props, and then I’d have to get in the zone for a scene.” “It’s exhausting, but I love it. There’s something so satisfying about being busy with things you’re genuinely passionate about. I thrive on the chaos, even when it leaves me feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck.”
As a versatile actress in theatre and film one would wonder which medium she prefers most?
“That’s such a tough question” says Sadithi. “I grew up doing theater, so it feels like home to me. There’s something magical about the live experience—about feeling the audience’s energy in real time and going through the whole arc of a character in one go. But I’ve also fallen in love with film. It’s so intimate and technical, and it gives you the chance to tell a story in a way that feels timeless. They’re so different, and I love them both for what they bring out in me as an actor.”
Production company
Aside from her acting talents, her production company provides her the opportunity to take an active role in determining the scope of her content. Sadithi says she absolutely loves her role as a producer and wishes she had started sooner! “It’s helped me find my voice in this industry and made me realize the kinds of stories I’m passionate about telling.”
Her production company’s latest project, Sight, is set in a zombie apocalypse and explores what happens when something as simple as losing your glasses becomes a life-or-death situation. “I am a huge horror fan, so being able to bring that vision to life was incredible,” says Sadithi.
“Producing has also taught me how to collaborate better. Everyone on set — whether it’s the cinematographer, the sound engineer, or the actors — has their own artistic voice, and it’s so important to honour that.”
For such a young talent how does she manage to stay grounded and focused in such a competitive, fast-paced industry?
“I’m really lucky to have a strong support system,” says Sadithi. My family and friends have been there for me through every high and low. I also have a mix of people in my life —some in the industry and some not. It’s nice to get an outside perspective, especially when I’m stressing about something. Sometimes you need someone to remind you that, at the end of the day, we’re just playing pretend — and that’s a beautiful thing.”
The future looks bright for Sadithi with several projects lined up with her production company, while two short films are in the post-production stage and have successfully crowdfunded over $10,000! Among many of her achievements, starting her production company Scrappack Productions has been one of her most proudest moments. The company is a fully female-founded indie production company based in New York City. “We started to be “scrappy” and take what little we had in equipment and business knowledge and turn it into something huge” says Sadithi.
“I always like to say we’re still in the baby stages because we’re learning, growing, and figuring things out as we go. But when I think about what we’ve accomplished already, it’s kind of mind-blowing.”
