Rehan Championing Sri Lankan Voices on the Global Stage
In this episode of podcast Sri Lanka – Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting Pot, I sit down with Sri Lankan actor, director, and screenwriter Rehan Mudannayake. This powerful conversation delves into identity, representation, and the unique journey of a South Asian creative navigating the film industry from Colombo to London to Los Angeles.
Who Is Rehan Mudannayake?
Rehan Mudannayake is a rising star in the world of independent film, known for his commitment to authentic storytelling and South Asian representation. He gained global attention for his role in Deepa Mehta’s 2020 film Funny Boy, based on the celebrated novel by Shyam Selvadurai. In this groundbreaking film, Rehan portrays Shehan Soyza, a gay teenager navigating life and love during Sri Lanka’s turbulent civil conflict.
🎥 From Funny Boy to Filmmaker
In the podcast, Rehan opens up about how Funny Boy challenged not only his acting skills but also sparked important conversations around LGBTQ+ representation in South Asia. The role was deeply personal, giving him an opportunity to engage with themes of identity, belonging, and resistance in the face of cultural conservatism.
Now, Rehan is writing his own story as a filmmaker. His recent short film, So Long, Farewell, has been featured at prestigious events like the Pan African Film Festival, the London Indian Film Festival, and the Rhode Island Film Festival.
🎬 Upcoming Projects: Cougar & Beyond
Rehan’s creative evolution is evident in his upcoming comedy series, Cougar, a sharp and witty look at intergenerational dating and South Asian cultural taboos. His work breaks stereotypes while infusing humor, insight, and emotional truth—a combination rarely seen in mainstream portrayals of the South Asian diaspora.
🎙️ Podcast Highlights
In this deeply personal episode, Rehan shares:
- His early influences growing up in Colombo and studying in London
- How a Chevening Scholarship helped shape his academic and artistic path
- The cultural impact of playing a gay character in Funny Boy
- His mission to create authentic, complex characters from the South Asian world
- What it’s like living and creating in Brixton, London’s vibrant multicultural hub
- Practical advice for young creatives navigating identity, diaspora, and artistic careers
🌍 Why Rehan’s Work Matters
Rehan’s voice is part of a growing wave of South Asian storytellers redefining modern media. By centering underrepresented identities—queer, Sri Lankan, diasporic—his work challenges dominant narratives and opens new conversations across cultures. He is among the few Sri Lankan creatives in the global spotlight, and he uses that visibility to highlight stories often left untold.
🔗 Key Links
🎧 PODCAST Spotify link here Apple podcast link here
🌐 Visit Rehan’s official website: rehanmudannayake.com
📸 Follow Rehan on Instagram: @rehanmudannayake
🎥 Cougar: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBtTqVLosqA/?hl=en
🎥 So Long, Farewell Official trailer: https://www.rehanmudannayake.com/so-long-farewell
🎥 Took It To The River: https://www.rehanmudannayake.com/took-it-to-the-river
About Rehan
Rehan Mudannayake is an award-winning filmmaker and actor, based in London. He stars as Shehan Soyza in Oscar-nominated director Deepa Mehta’s Netflix film Funny Boy, based on Shyam Selvadurai’s acclaimed novel.
As writer-director, his films have screened at multiple international film festivals. His most recent short – So Long, Farewell – had its World Premiere at the 2024 Academy Award-qualifying Pan-African Film Festival in LA, followed by its International Premiere at the London Indian Film Festival, and its US East Coast Premiere at the Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying Rhode Island Film Festival.
Mudannayake is a graduate of University College London (UCL), where he was a Chevening scholar.
