Rehan Unveiled: A Creative Odyssey from Sri Lanka to LA

In this episode we delve into the fascinating journey of Rehan Mudannayake, a Sri Lankan Actor, Director, and Writer who made his screen debut in the film 'Funny Boy' directed by the acclaimed Deepa Mehta. Rehan recounts his unique path into acting, the influence of his diverse upbringing, and his commitment to changing the narrative around brown people in film. He discusses his creative processes, his life in Brixton, and his latest projects, including a comedy series called 'Cougar' and an upcoming film in LA. A charming guest who shares generously, tune in to hear how Rehan blends personal experiences with his professional work, bringing  a lightness to deep themes.00:39 Meet Rehan: Actor, Author, and Director01:24 Rehan's Creative Process and Life in Brixton07:42 Rehan's Upbringing and Education16:55 Breaking into Acting: The Funny Boy Story21:33 The Challenges and Impact of Funny Boy23:19 Bringing Personal Elements to the Role24:22 The Three-Day Workshop Experience25:01 Challenging Exercises and Emotional Depth26:43 Physical and Emotional Impact of Acting28:59 Handling Love Scenes 31:46 Reception and Impact of the Film in Sri Lanka33:47 Career Growth and New Opportunities35:51 Creating the Comedy Series 'Cougar'41:36 Exploring Familial Obligations in 'So Long Farewell'46:17 Advice for Aspiring FilmmakersAbout Rehan MudannayakeRehan 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.LinksInstagram https://www.instagram.com/rehanmudannayakeWebsite: https://www.rehanmudannayake.com/FILM Cougar: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBtTqVLosqA/?hl=enFILM So Long, Farewell Official trailer: https://www.rehanmudannayake.com/so-long-farewellFILM Took It To The River: https://www.rehanmudannayake.com/took-it-to-the-riverTitle: Sri Lanka: Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting PotHost: Dee Gibson — Sri Lankan-born, award winning designer based in London and founder of boutique hotel Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka. www.kalukandahouse.com | instagram @deegibson2017 & @kalukandahousePodcast Themes:Modern Sri Lankan identity and cultureArchitecture, art, and designSustainability and heritageDiaspora experiences and storytellingWhy Listen:This podcast offers deep, intelligent storytelling about Sri Lanka’s evolving identity — a blend of East and West, ancient and modern. It’s for listeners who love culture, travel, architecture, and thoughtful conversation.