Growing up, Sandra Mack grabbed every opportunity to be part of stage productions that headed her way. She had her big break with the movie “Ayu”, where she played the role of Nishmi, a paediatrician, and portrayed her struggles in life.
We caught up with Mack for a chat about Ayu and more.
How did you begin your acting career? 
I wouldn’t describe my involvement in acting as a “career”, as is it not my occupation. My chosen career for many years has been advertising. However, since my childhood, I have been involved in the field of theatre and film more as a passion than anything else. I have acted in many stage plays, a documentary or two, one tele drama, and then in 2018, in Ayu the movie. My earliest recollection being on stage was as a shepherd in a nativity scene. I actually wanted to be an angel, but when you are six years old, you take what you are offered.
I must thank the directors who trusted me to do justice to the characters. Kisara Yatiyawela, Indu Dharmasena, Jith Pieris, Andrew David, and Scott Richards and Rudi Corens from the British Council in Colombo, are some of the stage play directors I have learnt a lot from. I will always remember the first big production I acted in. I played one of the women in “A Chorus of Lamenting Women” in the most spectacular theatre production The Libation Bearers, a play by Aeschylus the Greek tragedian. The play was set in the open air at the British Council. It was directed by Rudi Corens and I was probably the youngest actor acting alongside some of the “greats” of English theatre in Sri Lanka at the time – Michelle Leembruggen, Richard de Zoysa, Manorani Saravanamuttu, Ranmali Pathirana, Peter and Maria d’Almeida, Kumar Mirchandani, and many more. That production had a great impact on me. It was powerful and star-studded and a huge success. Acting may not be my career, but what I felt during this particular stage production certainly triggered in me a deep love for acting.
What made you realise you had a passion for acting?
My constant desire to bring characters to life and portray in the character my own interpretation. What’s more, the more I got involved, the more I realised my love and ability to get into character. Also, there is a certain happiness that I feel when I know I have done justice to a certain challenging role that I have been entrusted with. Perhaps all of this made me realise this passion for acting.
What are your other passions?
Advertising. This passion…I made it my career. I see myself as a “creative concepts” person. I love coming up with creative entertaining ideas for clients. So I set up a creative outfit called “Ketikatha”. As an advertising person, my challenge is also storytelling in the most compelling manner. Unlike the movies, we creative people get a 30-second time belt to convince target audiences of a single message. So, in a sense, it is the shortest short film requiring very high entertainment value that I get to make. Writing and helping direct my scripts is the best part of my job.
I have also turned a sport I love into a passion. I am an archer. It is more than a sport to me. I am completely won over by the sheer level of commitment this sport demands of mind and body. A lot of discipline and focus is required. The idea of becoming better than myself every time I shoot an arrow makes me more passionate about the sport. And it applies to daily life too.
Photography is something else I love doing. Taking portraits of people is what I enjoy best.
Tell us about Ayu.
Ayu is a must-watch. I may be partial to it, but Ayu is a gem of a movie. This is Chathra Weeraman’s second film as director. His first was the period film “Aloko Udapadi”. Chathra is young, bold, and unafraid to explore new concepts. Chathra had been looking for a person to play the lead role Nishmi for months before he stumbled upon a TV commercial where I played the role of a paediatrician. That’s when he contacted me, and the rest is history. Ayu is about Nishmi, a paediatrician facing unexpected challenges in life, and her journey to discover life’s truths. A deadly secret begins to destroy everything and everyone she loves as she digs deep for answers to set her mind free. It is a story inspired by real events. Ayu is about Nishmi’s life journey when the chips are down in her life. I was honoured to act alongside stars like Jagath Manuwarna, Ashan Dias, Malini Fonseka, and child star Kenara Weeratunga.
What is the message behind it?
From my point of view, there are many messages. Never underestimate the strength of a woman; the knowledge of knowing when to let go of things we love to hold on to and that no situation in life should be taken at face value.
What are your plans for 2021?
I want to spend more time honing my archery skills. I would like to represent my country at an international level. I just completed a book written and designed by me for a client and am hoping to publish it soon. I started a foundation in memory of my parents – the Mack Smiles Foundation, that supplies dentures to low and no-income elders in society. I want to ensure many more people benefit from it in 2021. And, of course, the launch of Ayu the movie. I can’t wait to hear what moviegoers have to say.
What advice would you give to someone who wishes to follow in your footsteps?
Have dreams. Follow your dreams. Don’t let anyone tweak your dreams. Don’t take your eye off the target in life. If you fall and feel hurt, stand up, wipe the tears, and start again. There will always be people to criticise your journey. But remember, it’s up to you whether you want to give people who bring you down your precious time of day. That’s their problem, not yours. Take care of your parents. Remember that your smile is the most precious gift you can give someone. And it doesn’t cost you anything.
