Eminent Malayalam filmmaker Shaji N Karun dies at 73

Renowned Malayalam director and cinematographer Shaji N Karun, celebrated for his pioneering films and unique filmmaking approach, passed away on Monday, according to industry sources. He was seventy-three. Karun had been ill for a while and was struggling with health problems, they stated.

The passing of the renowned director occurs just days after he received the J C Daniel Award for his lifetime achievements in Malayalam cinema, the highest film accolade established by the state government, during an event here. Shaji Neelakantan Karunakaran, commonly referred to as Shaji N Karun, is one of the trailblazers of new wave cinema in Malayalam and was among the select directors who brought the heritage of Malayalam cinema to a global audience by transcending all obstacles.

His first film, Piravi (1988), was showcased at almost 70 global film festivals, whereas his subsequent film, Swaham (1994), received a nomination for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. His film Vanaprastham (1999) was also shown at Cannes. Karun’s movies have received seven national honors and the same number of Kerala State Awards.

His Kutty Srank won the national award for Best Feature Film in 2010. Karun, a recipient of the Padma Shri and the French award Order of Arts and Letters, served as the first chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. He additionally held the position of chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC).