Mohammed Auff Haneefa (born 11 November 1959), popularly known as Shashi Wijendra, is a former actor in Sri Lankan cinema. He was one of the most popular actor in 1980s and 1990s. He quit from acting in 1996. Currently, he is a businessman and a politician.
Early life and education 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 secondary education from Zahira College Gampola.
Acting career He first entered stage dramas under Tamil producer. His stage name was "Shashi Quintus". However, he 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.
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 Peiris 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. He used the stage name "Shashi Wijendra" in cinema. Since then, he acted in many popular commercial films such as Amme Oba Nisa, Shakthiya Obai Amme, Uthura Dakuna, Cheriyo Captain, Obata Pamanai Adare, Wana Bambara, Okkoma Rajawaru, Raja Daruwo, Sinha Raja, Bambasara Bisaw, Soora Veera Chandiyo and Vijay saha Ajay. Most of his films are commercially successful and passed 100 days in theatres. In 1992, he won the award for the most popular actor at Sarasaviya Awards.
His brother Auff Munawer joined the cinema with Shashi and changed the name to Ranga Wijendra. He later became a film producer and director. 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. He and his brother quit from cinema at the peak of their career. His last film was Putha Mage Sooraya directed by Ranjith Jayasinghe screened in 2011.
Personal life
Wijendra married a Sinhala woman in 1996 who later converted to Muslim with the name Shaheena. The couple have four sons and one daughter. 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 businessman who runs a mahogany project on Dambulla Road, Matale.
Filmography Year Film Role Ref. 1985 Obata Diwura Kiyannam Shashi 1987 Ahinsa Himself Special Appearance 1988 Amme Oba Nisa Shashi 1989 Okkoma Rajawaru 1989 Shakthiya Obai Amme Inspector S. D. 'Rannie' Randeniya / Asanka Randeniya 1990 Jaya Shakthi 1990 Wana Bambara Dual Role 1991 Uthura Dakuna 1991 Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya Amal 1991 Obata Pamanai Adare Saman 1991 Hithata Dukak Nathi Miniha Inspector 1991 Asai Bayai Gamini 1991 Love In Bangkok Sugath 1991 Salambak Handai Ravi Wijesuriya 1991 Cheriyo Doctor Nalin 1992 Raja Daruwo Thushan Kaluperuma CID 'Charith' 1992 Sinha Raja Samy 1992 Okkoma Kanapita 1992 Oba Mata Wishwasai Saman 1993 Sagara Thilina Dasa 1993 Bambasara Bisaw Praba 1993 Soora Veera Chandiyo Inspector Ruwan Gajanayake 1994 Nohadan Kumariyo 1994 Abhiyogaya Sanka 1995 Vijay Saha Ajay Vijay 1995 Ira Handa Illa 1995 Hitha Honda Surayo Lawyer 1995 Demodara Palama Kamal 1995 Cheriyo Captain Ravi 1996 Obatai Me Aradhana 1997 Ramba Saha Madhu 1998 Julietge Bhumikawa Somasekera's friend 1999 Anduru Sevaneli 2000 Premila 2001 Wasanthaye Kunatuwak 2002 Seethala Gini Kandu Rosy's husband 2002 Thahanam Gaha Wasantha 2003 Sundarai Adare Nuwan 2006 Rana Hansi 2008 Ai Oba Thaniwela 2011 Putha Mage Suraya Chamara / Priyantha
References
External links බෙග් මාස්ටර්ලාගේ සංස්කෘතික විශ්වය සහ ආගමික අන්තවාදය