Legendary Malayalam filmmaker and cinematographer Shaji N Karun, celebrated for his deeply emotional storytelling and global contributions to Indian cinema, passed away on Monday in Thiruvananthapuram. He was 73.
Karun had been unwell for some time and succumbed to ongoing health issues, according to industry sources. His passing comes just days after he was honoured with the prestigious J C Daniel Award, the highest film accolade instituted by the Kerala government, in recognition of his lifetime contribution to Malayalam cinema.
Born Shaji Neelakantan Karunakaran, he was a trailblazer of the Malayalam new wave cinema movement and was known for taking Malayalam films to international audiences with his powerful and poetic narratives. His debut feature, Piravi (1988), which portrays a father’s relentless search for his missing son, won critical acclaim and was screened at nearly 70 international film festivals, winning numerous accolades worldwide.
Karun’s second film, Swaham (1994), achieved the rare honour of being nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, further establishing his global standing. His 1999 film Vanaprastham, a poignant exploration of identity and art featuring Mohanlal, was also screened at Cannes.
Throughout his career, Shaji N Karun’s films garnered seven National Film Awards and an equal number of Kerala State Film Awards. His film Kutty Srank won the National Award for Best Feature Film in 2010.
In recognition of his contributions to the arts, he was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, and France’s Order of Arts and Letters. Beyond his work as a filmmaker, Karun served as the first chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and later chaired the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), playing a pivotal role in shaping the institutional framework of Malayalam cinema.
The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, where Karun was a distinguished alumnus, expressed its grief over his demise in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“The Film and Television Institute of India, Pune deeply mourns the passing away of our distinguished alumnus, Shri Shaji N Karun. A master storyteller and a pioneer of Malayalam cinema, his work enriched Indian filmmaking. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor also paid tribute, saying:
“I am truly shocked and saddened by this news. Shaji N Karun was one of the greats, no question about it… He was the master of depiction of grief, heartbreak, pain, and today he leaves us almost like a scene in one of his films, in leaving us with a moment of desolation, and loss.”
Shaji N Karun leaves behind a legacy of deeply humanist cinema that explored pain, loss, and the complex tapestry of life through a distinctively lyrical lens. His loss marks the end of a golden chapter in Indian cinema.
Sources By Agencies
