Shashi Wijendra

Mohammed Auff Haneefa (born 11 November 1959), popularly known as Shashi Wijendra (ශෂී විජේන්ද්‍ර), is a former actor in Sri Lankan cinema.[1] One of the most popular actors in 1980s and 1990s of Sinhala cinema, he quit from cinema in 1996 at his peak due to religious matters.[2] Now he is a bussinessman.

Shashi Wijendra
ශෂී විජේන්ද්‍ර
Born
Mohammed Auff Haneefa

(1959-11-11) November 11, 1959
Kandy, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Other namesShashi Quintus
EducationBadulla Dharmadutha College
Zahira College, Gampaha
OccupationActor, Bussinessman
Years active1985–2011
Spouse(s)Shaheena (m. 1996)
Children5
AwardsSarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award (1992)

Personal life

Shashi Wijendra was born on 11 November 1959 in Kandy and is a Muslim by birth. He completed primary education from Badulla Dharmadutha College and then entered Gampaha Zahira College since grade 6.[3]

His brother Auff Munawer joined the cinema with Shashi and changed the name to Ranga Wijendra. He later became a film producer and director.[4] The two had even announced their removal from the mosque because of their departure from the Muslim community. Later he converted to Muslim again with his brother after it was reported that due to pressure from the Muslim community.[5]

He is married to a Sinhala lady in 1996 who later converted to Muslim with the name Shaheena. The couple have four sons and one daughter.[3] In 1996, Haneefa left Sri Lanka and went to Malaysia. He returned to Sri Lanka in 2013 and Participated TV Programme on Sirasa TV.It was his first public appearance after 17 years. He is currently a successful bussinessman who runs a mahogany project on Dambulla Road, Matale.[4]

Career

He first entered stage dramas under Tamil producer. However, Wijendra was unable to read and write Tamil. Therefore, he used to translate the dialogues into Sinhala and started to act. After few months, he quit from acting and started to write stage plays. He produced the play Sahajatha and continued for more than 50 shows.[3]

In 1983 he left the country and went to Dubai.After two years he returned to sri lanka. Haneefa joined the cinema in 1985 with the film Obata Diwura Kiyannam directed by Sunil Soma Pieris and produced the film along with Anoja Weerasinghe.It was a Super Hit and became the highest grossing sri lankan film in 1985.Then Shashi became a star in one night.[3] He used the stage name "Shashi Wijendra" in cinema. Since then, he acted in many popular commercial films such as Vijay Saha Ajay, Uthura Dakuna, Love In Bangkok, Cheriyo Captain and Obata Pamanai Adare.[5] In 1992, he won the award for the most popular actor at Sarasaviya Awards.

He quit from cinema at the peak of his career.[6] His last film was Putha Mage Sooraya directed by Ranjith Jayasinghe screened in 2011.[4]

Filmography
YearFilmRoleRef.
1985Obata Diwura KiyannamShashi
1987AhinsaParty guest
1988Amme Oba Nisa
1989Okkoma Rajawaru
1989Shakthiya Obai AmmeInspector S. D. 'Rannie' Randeniya / Asanka Randeniya
1990Jaya Shakthi
1990Wana Bambara
1991Uthura Dakuna
1991Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya
1991Obata Pamanai Adare
1991Hithata Dukak Nathi Miniha
1991Asai Bayai
1991Love In Bangkok
1991Salambak Handai
1991Cheriyo DoctorNalin
1992Raja DaruwoThushan Kaluperuma CID 'Charith'
1992Sinha Raja
1992Okkoma Kanapita
1992Oba Mata WishwasaiSaman
1993Sagara Thilina
1993Bambasara Bisaw
1993Sura Veera ChandiyoInspector Ruwan Gajanayake
1994Nohadan Kumariyo
1994Abhiyogaya
1995Vijay Saha AjayVijay
1995Ira Handa Illa
1995Hitha Honda Surayo
1995Demodara PalamaKamal
1995Cheriyo CaptainRavi
1996Obatai Me Aradhana
1997Ramba Saha Madhu
1998Julietge BhumikawaSomasekera's friend
1999Anduru Sevaneli
2000Premila
2001Wasanthaye Kunatuwak
2002Seethala Gini Kandu
2003Sundarai AdareNuwan
2006Rana Hansi
2008Ai Oba Thaniwela
2011Putha Mage SurayaChamara / Priyantha

References
  1. "Shashi Wijendra films". IMDb. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  2. "Shashi Wijendra filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  3. "A stingy lover of Sinhala cinema of the late 80s". Hiru FM. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  4. "Ausuf Hanifa Shashi Wijendra becomes Auf Hanifa and disappears from Muslim artists". praja.lk. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  5. "Shashi Wijendra comes out as a Muslim after 17 years". dinanadakuna. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  6. "Here's what you can do now to change your name". gossipsreader. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
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