Dabare Kusum Renu Liyanage, popularly as Kusum Renu, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema theater and television. She is best known for the role Madhuri in television sitcom Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni and role Vishaka Samaranayake in the film Dharmayuddhaya.
Personal life
Kusum Renu was born on 30 January 1961 in Colombo and completed her education from Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda. At the school times, she was a good sportswoman, a Girl Guide, a school prefect and a member of the school debating team. She also played Esraj for the Eastern Band. Kusum Renu is married to Sriyantha Mendis, who is also a renowned actor and director. She met Sriyantha during the stage drama Pandukabhaya in 1984 and couple married on 25 October 1986 after the proposal in April 1985. The couple has two daughters. Elder daughter Nipuni Preksha is married to Shan Amanda Perera. Younger daughter Tharuki Amaya also acted in stage playSubha saha Yasa.Her cousin daughter Vidushi Uththara is also a popular actress in television. Elder daughter Nipuni specializes in fashion design, costume design, and stage costume design. Her husband Shan is an engineer. Their daughter is Gabriela Kathleen. Second daughter Tharuki completed a NIBM course and studied Human Resources Degree.
Acting career
Renu started acting since school times. Her uncle Senadheera Kuruppu was a popular actor at that time, where she made her public acting debut. Her first role came through T.B. Illangaratne's stage play Sailasanaya. Then she acted many television serials. In 1982 for Mandaram Wahi, Renu won four Certificates of Merit from National Youth Services Council. In the following year, she won a merit award for the role in Deiyange Punchi Akkaraya. In 1984, she won the Best actress award for the role in Hima Kunatuwa. After the marriage in 1986, she took a break for the acting. She marked the comeback by winning Best Actress award at the State Drama Festival for the role in Deweni Mahinda in 1998.
Selected television serials
Aluth Gedara
Anne
Damini
Damsaari
Dangamalla
Deiyange Punchi Akkaraya
Deydunu Yanaya
Doowaru
Ethuma
Gajaman Nona
Himagira Naga)
Hima Kunatuwa
Hiruta Pipena Sooriyakantha
Iththo
Itu Devi Vimana
Mandaram Wahi
Mathi Nethi Daa
Mini Muthu
Nil Mal Viyana
Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni as Madhuri
Paradeesaya
Package
Pinkanda Simona
Pipi Piyum
Prarthana Mal
Puja
Raja Bhavana
Rankira Soya
Ran Miriwedi
Ran Sevaneli
Ruwan Maliga as Trilicia
Sanda Numba Nam
Satharadenek Senpathiyo
Sathara Ima Gini
Senehase Geethaya
Sihina Genena Kumariye
Sihina Kumari
Sulang Kapolla
Visirunu Renu
Wassane Sihinaya
Wes Muhunu
Selected stage dramas
Danga Malla
Mama Wenama Malak
Suba Saha Yasa
Mandaram Wehi
Jasaya Saha Lenchina
Deiyange Punchi Akkaraya
Hima Kunatuwa
Mahasara
Raththaran
Bheema Bhumi
Ekata Mata Hinahina
Magul Prastawa
Ratnawalee
Padada Asapuwa
Wellawehum
Deveni Mahinda
Mama Wenama Malak
Gebbara Minisa
Raassa Paraassa
Sudu Saha Alu
Mamai Anduwa
Hankithi Dahathuna
''Yathuru Hilen Balanna'
Filmography
Her maiden cinematic experience came through 1979 filmJeewana Kandulu, but was an uncredited role. In 1981, her major cinematic breakthrough was from Sathkulu Pawwa, which gained fame. Some of her popular films are Suhada Koka, Maharaja Gemunu and Dharmayuddhaya.
No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.