[3] His elder brother Shanthi Kumar is also a renowned filmmaker and actor in early Sinhala cinema.
As he was fluent in Hindi language, Herbie played the role of a village leader along with Bollywood artists Sunanda Banerjee and Tulsi Chakraborty.
[6] While he was starring in the film, he received a telegram from his brother Shanthi Kumar asking him to come to the Victoria Hotel in Madras and meet soon.
[7] The two arrived in Sri Lanka and left for India on 9 October 1946, via Talai Mannar with a crew about forty others.
Then Shanthi Kumar made the first Sinhala talkie film with the help of M. Somsundaram, who was the head of Jupiter Pictures as well as Central Studios in Madras.
[8] Along with Rukmani, Herbie acted in many films in the lead role including Veradunu Kurumanama, Peralena Iranama, Hadisi Vinischaya, Segawunu Pilithura and Iranganie.
[9] The song 'Dutu Da Idala Luhu Banda' sung with Kanthi in the film Suraya became very popular.
Then he acted and directed the films Suhada Divi Piduma (1962), Sudu Sande Kalu Wala (1963), and Samaje Api Okkoma Samanai (1964).