Sri Lanka’s State Music Awards 2025, held on January 6, celebrated excellence in music and visual storytelling. Film director Chamil Pathiarana was among the winners, receiving the Best Music Video Award for the popular Shashika Nisansala track “Chandra Paayanna.”
With over 15 years in the Sri Lankan creative industry, Chamil Pathiarana has built a strong reputation as a director, producer, editor, and screenwriter. His career includes many well-known projects and around 15 awards in SIGNIS, Derana, and Raigam Tele Awards. In a recent conversation, he shared his thoughts on the award, his journey, and what lies ahead.
A Special State Award Moment
This year’s State Awards were special, as they considered creative work produced over the last four years. Due to the country’s situation, the awards had not been held during that period.
Chamil Pathiarana expressed deep happiness and gratitude for the recognition. Being judged among music videos created over four years made the honour even more meaningful to him. He spoke warmly about the “Chandra Paayanna” project and credited the strong support of the entire team, with special appreciation for singer Shashika Nisansala, who gave him full creative freedom. He noted that this trust helped bring the song and its visuals to life.
The music video also reflects a simple and familiar visual story. It shows preparations for Shashika’s wedding, during which a young boy arrives to help with painting work. However, his real intention is to meet his lover, Shashika’s younger sister. Chamil explained that such moments were common during his teenage years in semi-urban areas like his hometown, and he himself had witnessed and experienced similar love stories.
From 3D Animation to Storytelling on Screen
Chamil Pathiarana’s journey into filmmaking began in the world of 3D animation and visual effects. From the very beginning of his studies, storytelling was his true goal. At the time, 3D animation became the easiest and most powerful way for him to express stories. Over the years, that passion naturally led him toward directing films, where he found his true voice.
Over the years, Chamil Pathiarana’s work has received consistent recognition. He has won around 15 awards, including honours from the Derana Awards and SIGNIS Awards. A major milestone in his career came in 2014, when he directed the official music video for the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup. One of his most celebrated works, the teledrama “Once Upon a Time in Colombo,” earned six awards at the Raigam Tele Awards and a Special Jury Award at the SIGNIS Awards, further establishing his place in the industry.
A Filmmaker Guided by Society and People
Today, Chamil Pathiarana works as a film director, screenwriter, and producer. Many of his upcoming projects are written by him, and some are also produced under his guidance.
His creative vision is deeply connected to society and everyday people. He believes that learning from people’s lives, emotions, and struggles is an ongoing process. Through his films, he hopes to give something meaningful back to society. This, he says, is his humble purpose as an artist.
New Films and a Platform for Creators
Looking ahead, Chamil Pathiarana is preparing to release two new feature films this year. One of the stories focuses on the dramatic lives of three men living in an urban setting, exploring real life challenges and human emotions. The other film will introduce a special character into ordinary lives, but Chamil said he cannot reveal more, as it would spoil the story.
Beyond filmmaking, he is also working toward launching “Muhunu TV,” a streaming platform. His vision is to build the platform together with fellow directors and producers, creating a space that offers creative freedom and fair opportunities for storytellers. Bringing this platform to life is one of his key goals for the future.
Personal Life and Acknowledgements
Chamil Pathiarana was born in Veyangoda, where he also grew up. He has a brother and a sister and studied at Bandaranayaka College, Gampaha. Today, he is the CEO of Muhunu Group and continues to work as a film director. Chamil expressed his heartfelt thanks to his parents, brother, and sister for believing in him. He also acknowledged the many people who supported him across different fields, helping him reach the position he holds today. We wish him continued success with his awards and upcoming projects.