Vathees Varunan
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
- Writer
Vathees Varunan was born in a remote village in Jaffna, located in the northern region of Sri Lanka, in the year 1986. His early life was marked by the challenges of internal displacement due to the prolonged civil war in the area. As he grew up, he encountered an itinerant education, attending no less than ten different schools throughout his formative years.
From a very tender age, Vathees Varunan exhibited a penchant for storytelling in his native language, Tamil. His passion for the craft was ignited when he experienced his first visit to a cinema in 2004, leaving him with a deep-seated aspiration to become a filmmaker.
Following the completion of his secondary education, Vathees Varunan took a bold step in 2007 by relocating to Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. His move was fueled by the hope of making inroads into the dynamic world of the southern film industry.
His journey in the film industry commenced with him assuming the role of an Assistant Director under the mentorship of the eminent Sri Lankan filmmaker, Asoka Handagama. To date, he has contributed his skills and expertise to the production of six notable films as an Assistant Director, learning and honing his craft along the way.
In 2014, Vathees Varunan took a significant stride towards his dream by creating his first short film, titled 'A Forgotten Pearl.' This cinematic creation found its place on the screen at the First Colombo International Film Festival, marking the beginning of his directorial journey.
The following year, in 2015, he embarked on a new endeavor, writing and directing his second short film, 'Returned.' This project garnered recognition on both the local and international film festival circuits, with screenings at prestigious events such as the Mumbai International Film Festival 2018, Gem Arts' Masala festival in London 2017, Hanoi International Film Festival 2016, and the Colombo International Film Festival 2016.
Vathees Varunan further extended his artistic repertoire by directing the thought-provoking documentary 'Widows of the North,' which delves into the issues faced by widows in the northern region of Sri Lanka. His dedication to storytelling and filmmaking continued in 2021 with the creation of a short news documentary titled "Voices of North in Post Covid19 Pandemic."
Through his commitment to the art of filmmaking and storytelling, Vathees Varunan has not only enriched his own creative journey but has also contributed to the vibrant tapestry of Sri Lankan cinema, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
From a very tender age, Vathees Varunan exhibited a penchant for storytelling in his native language, Tamil. His passion for the craft was ignited when he experienced his first visit to a cinema in 2004, leaving him with a deep-seated aspiration to become a filmmaker.
Following the completion of his secondary education, Vathees Varunan took a bold step in 2007 by relocating to Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. His move was fueled by the hope of making inroads into the dynamic world of the southern film industry.
His journey in the film industry commenced with him assuming the role of an Assistant Director under the mentorship of the eminent Sri Lankan filmmaker, Asoka Handagama. To date, he has contributed his skills and expertise to the production of six notable films as an Assistant Director, learning and honing his craft along the way.
In 2014, Vathees Varunan took a significant stride towards his dream by creating his first short film, titled 'A Forgotten Pearl.' This cinematic creation found its place on the screen at the First Colombo International Film Festival, marking the beginning of his directorial journey.
The following year, in 2015, he embarked on a new endeavor, writing and directing his second short film, 'Returned.' This project garnered recognition on both the local and international film festival circuits, with screenings at prestigious events such as the Mumbai International Film Festival 2018, Gem Arts' Masala festival in London 2017, Hanoi International Film Festival 2016, and the Colombo International Film Festival 2016.
Vathees Varunan further extended his artistic repertoire by directing the thought-provoking documentary 'Widows of the North,' which delves into the issues faced by widows in the northern region of Sri Lanka. His dedication to storytelling and filmmaking continued in 2021 with the creation of a short news documentary titled "Voices of North in Post Covid19 Pandemic."
Through his commitment to the art of filmmaking and storytelling, Vathees Varunan has not only enriched his own creative journey but has also contributed to the vibrant tapestry of Sri Lankan cinema, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.