From VFX to State Honors: The Creative Odyssey of Director Chamil Pathirana

The Sri Lanka State Music Awards 2025, held on January 6, served as a grand stage to honor excellence in visual storytelling. Among the night’s biggest winners was Chamil Pathirana, a filmmaker whose transition from the world of digital pixels to the director's chair has redefined the modern Sri Lankan music video and teledrama.

Pathirana walked away with the prestigious Best Music Video Award for his work on Shashika Nisansala’s viral hit, “Chandra Paayanna.”

A Milestone Win

This year’s recognition carried a weightier significance than usual. Due to the country's economic challenges, the State Awards had been on hiatus for four years. "Being selected from four years of work makes this honor even more meaningful," Pathirana noted.

He credits the success of “Chandra Paayanna” to the creative freedom granted by vocalist Shashika Nisansala. The video, which portrays a nostalgic, relatable love story involving a young painter and a bride’s sister, was inspired by Pathirana’s own teenage memories in his hometown of Veyangoda.

The Journey: From 3D Animation to Directing

Pathirana’s path to the State Awards wasn't a conventional one. He began his career in 3D animation and Visual Effects (VFX), eventually serving as a VFX supervisor. "At that time, 3D animation was the easiest and most powerful way for me to tell stories," he explained.

However, his hunger for storytelling eventually led him to live-action directing. His portfolio is now decorated with over 15 awards, including:

• The ICC T20 World Cup 2014 Official Music Video
• "Once Upon a Time in Colombo" (Winner of 6 Raigam Tele-Awards and a SIGNIS Special Jury Award)

A Vision for the Future: "Muhunu TV" and Feature Films

Chamil Pathirana is not just a director; he is an entrepreneur with a vision for the South Asian creative economy. As the CEO of Muhunu Group, he is currently preparing to launch "Muhunu TV," a streaming platform designed to provide fair opportunities and creative freedom for regional storytellers.

Audiences can also expect two major feature films from him this year:

1. An Urban Drama: Focusing on the intricate lives and human emotions of three men in a city setting.
2. A Mystery Project: A film that introduces a "special character" into ordinary lives—a project Pathirana is keeping strictly under wraps to avoid spoilers.

The Man Behind the Lens

An alumnus of Bandaranayaka College, Gampaha, Pathirana remains deeply connected to his roots and society. "I learn something new from people every day," he says. "Through my films, I want to give something meaningful back."

With a blend of technical VFX expertise and a heart for human stories, Chamil Pathirana is undoubtedly a filmmaker shaping the next chapter of Sri Lankan cinema. (NewsCenter)