Shaji N Karun’s Death Just Days After Major Award

Shaji N Karun’s Death Just Days After Major Award – A Sudden Tragedy

Renowned Malayalam filmmaker Shaji N Karun passed away on April 28 in Thiruvananthapuram at 73. He had been battling cancer and multiple health issues.

His death comes just days after receiving the J C Daniel Award, the highest honor in Malayalam cinema, celebrating a lifetime dedicated to visual storytelling.

A Pillar of Malayalam Cinema

Shaji N Karun was more than a filmmaker. He shaped the identity of Malayalam cinema across decades, creating a legacy that still echoes in global film circles.

His debut film, Piravi (1988), set the tone for his career. It gained recognition in over 70 international festivals, including Cannes, and brought him the National Film Award for Best Director.

International Recognition and Artistic Legacy

With Swaham (1994) and Vanaprastham (1999), he returned to Cannes, making his name synonymous with India’s new wave. Vanaprastham also elevated Mohanlal’s career, fetching both of them national acclaim. Mohanlal remembered Karun as "a filmmaker who composed poetry with the camera."

Collaborations and Industry Impact

Mammootty also paid tribute, recalling their collaboration in Kutty Srank (2010), which went on to win the National Award for Best Feature Film.

A Distinctive Visual Language

Shaji’s visual style blended emotion with silence. His works carried a meditative rhythm and deep reflections on life, loss, and memory.

Beyond direction, he served as the first chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and led the Kerala State Film Development Corporation. These roles made him a central figure in shaping Kerala’s film culture.

Early Career and Global Honors

His mastery began behind the lens. As a cinematographer, he cranked the camera for over 40 films, collaborating with giants like G. Aravindan and M.T. Vasudevan Nair.

He won his first national award in 1979 for the film Thampu, followed by multiple honors, including the Padma Shri in 2011 and France’s Order of Arts and Letters in 1999.

A Friendship Remembered

Filmmaker T.V. Chandran, a long-time friend, remembered their 50-year-long association as one filled with deep conversations and creative exchange. “Shaji’s insights helped shape how I saw cinema,” Chandran said, calling the loss “both personal and profound.”

Tributes and Final Honors

Tributes poured in from all quarters. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan called him “a creative force who elevated Indian cinema to the global stage.” His funeral will be held with full state honors.

A Legacy Beyond Borders

Born in Kollam, he trained at the Pune Film Institute, but for Shaji N. Karun, cinema was just a tool to embellish stories and transform perspectives. His reach was beyond borders, genres, and generations.

Family and Farewell

He is survived by his wife and two sons. His death also marks the passing of a visionary era in Indian and Malayalam cinema.