Veteran Malayalam filmmaker and cinematographer Shaji N Karun, celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to Indian cinema, passed away on Monday at the age of 73.
Karun had been struggling with health issues for some time. His death comes shortly after he was honoured with the prestigious J C Daniel Award — the highest film award bestowed by the Kerala government — in recognition of his lifetime achievements in Malayalam cinema.
Widely regarded as a trailblazer of the Malayalam new wave, Shaji N Karun, whose full name was Shaji Neelakantan Karunakaran, played a pivotal role in introducing Malayalam cinema to global audiences. His debut film, Piravi (1988), gained international acclaim, being showcased at nearly 70 global film festivals. His subsequent work, Swaham (1994), achieved the rare distinction of being nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Another notable film, Vanaprastham (1999), also made its mark at Cannes.
Over his illustrious career, Karun's films garnered seven National Film Awards and an equal number of Kerala State Awards. His 2010 film Kutty Srank was honoured with the National Award for Best Feature Film.
In addition to his accolades, Shaji N Karun was the recipient of the Padma Shri and the French "Order of Arts and Letters" for his contributions to cinema and the arts. He also played significant roles in shaping Kerala’s film culture, serving as the first chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and leading the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC).