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Dilhara, who shook social media by styling with newspapers
– Model Dilhara Pathirage
Have you seen a photoshoot circulating all over Facebook these days where a girl is dressed in newspaper pages? We at ‘Lanka Youth’ looked into who she was. Somehow, we managed to find this beautiful young lady. Re-starting our ‘Lanka Youth Chat’ series, we planned to begin with her. This is none other than Dilhara Pathirage. Here is the discussion we had with Dilhara, who will be seen in acting in the future as well as in modeling.
Shall we start with some details about your name and hometown?
My name is Dilhara Pathirage. My hometown is Mirigama. Currently, I am involved in the modeling field. I also hope to enter the acting field in the future. I participate in these activities while being employed in a job as well.
How did you join the field?
I entered the modeling field because of a photographer named Ashie Perera. That was about a year ago. He saw me and asked if we could do a photoshoot. However, I didn’t give an answer immediately. After some time, I wondered if I could actually do it. I had a slight interest before, but I had given up on that desire because of my job. I didn’t have enough time to think about it. But after a while, about a year ago, I did my first photoshoot with the same photographer who first spoke to me, Ashie Perera. That was my first photoshoot, and it received a lot of responses. That’s how I joined this field.
What do you think about the talk/gossip in the industry?
I have heard various stories about the industry. There are both good and bad sides. I believe that if I conduct myself properly, it won’t be a problem for me. That means if we go on our journey in the right way, there won’t be any issues. Everything depends on how we respond. So, if we are right, there is no problem.
What kind of support did you get from home?
Actually, for the first shoot… the family wasn’t very happy about me doing the first photoshoot. I did my first photoshoot without much consent from home. But after doing it, I get a lot of support from home now. I am very happy about that.
What do you think about the people you meet during work?
When working in society, we have to work with different types of people. We have to work with good people as well as bad people. I think if we understand people and do our work with awareness, it won’t be a problem for us.
Which sectors do you represent in photoshoots?
I started my first shoot with the ‘Glamour’ style. Because of that, most of the offers I get are for glamour shoots. But I also intend to move into the bridal side. I am not someone who likes to be confined to just one thing. Along with glamour, I hope to do some shoots in other sectors as well.
Who are the people behind you supporting you?
From home, my mother, my elder sister (or younger sister – Nangi), and my best friend give me great support. They come with me to the places I go. Even if a bad comment is posted about my work, they explain it to me positively. They never let me fall. Also, the brother (malli) who did my first photoshoot… he gave me great support to get to where I am today. He told me, “Sister, don’t work only with me, work with other photographers too,” and taught me about the field. So, I get great support from my home, my friend, and the photographer who did my first shoot.
The photoshoot done with newspaper pages is going viral. What is the secret?
Yes. Actually, Pasindu Liyanage ‘Aiya’ asked me, “Sister, there is a shoot with papers, shall we do it?” He was the one who coordinated it. I also had a strong feeling that it would be a big change if we did something like that. So, I, Pasindu who coordinated, and the photographer discussed it and did a beautiful job. Because it was planned that way, the shoot has gone very viral these days. I get both good and bad comments for it. I accept all of them happily.
We heard that Dilhara, who came into modeling, is also going to step into acting…
Actually, I have a hope of going into acting. I have been invited for a few productions. I have a great desire for acting. I will consider it in the future. I have already acted in a commercial. Also, I have been invited for a few more projects and a teledrama. I will look into those in the future.
What do you think about love?
Love is beautiful—if you find the right person. Because to move forward in life, if you find someone who matches your thoughts and understands your freedom, I think love is beautiful. So, I am also waiting, hoping I will find someone who loves me like that.
What are your future expectations?
I hope to do several different and unique photoshoots in both modeling and acting. Also, from the acting side, I hope to contribute to productions where I can showcase my talent.
Interviewed by: Anura Premakumara
