Legendary Malayalam filmmaker Shaji N Karun dies at 73, Mohanlal and Mammootty pay tribute

Shaji N Karun. Pic/PTI

Ace filmmaker Shaji N. Karun passed away at his home in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. He was ailing for a while after being diagnosed with cancer. Karun was a cinematographer, producer and director all moulded into one, which eventually made him the highly respected elder film statesman from Kerala.

The 73-year-old acclaimed cinematographer was later known for his directorial skills, which won him both national and international awards. He has cranked the camera for 40 films, which include towering directors like G. Aravindan, K.G. George, and M.T. Vasudevan Nair, to name a few. Later, he began directing, and of the seven films he directed, three of them won national awards and not to mention international awards too.

Mammootty and Mohanlal remember Shaji N Karun

Both the big Ms of Malayalam cinema owe it to Karun for giving them one of their most memorable characters.

Mohanlal shared a heartfelt tribute on social media,"The one who brought Malayalam cinema to the pinnacle of world cinema, the one whom every Malayali embraced with pride, Shaji N Karun sir has left us". Mohanlal recalled his collaborations with Shaji N Karun in films like Neram Pularumbol, Panchagni, and Onnamoothal Poojyam Vare, where his roles were brief but significant. Shaji served as the cinematographer for all three films and later directed Vanaprastham, a milestone in Mohanlal's career.

"A filmmaker who made us truly experience what it means to 'compose poetry with the camera'," Mohanlal said recalling them visiting Cannes with their film Vanaprastham. Mohanlal's performance in 'Vanaprastham' earned him both the National Film Award and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 1999. The film remains a defining moment for both actor and director.

Mammootty also paid his respects on social media, sharing a photo of Shaji N Karun along with the message, "Heartfelt tributes to dear Shaji."Mammootty had collaborated with Shaji in 'Kutty Srank', a film that went on to win the National Award for Best Feature Film in 2010.

Tributes pour in for Shaji N Karun

Condolences have started pouring in from several quarters. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan was among the first to pay a heartfelt tribute.

He wrote on X, "A defining era in Indian Cinema comes to an end with the passing of Shaji N. Karun. His remarkable contributions as a cinematographer, filmmaker, and policymaker refined and enriched our cinematic culture, elevating our cinema to the global stage. A creative voice who remained steadfast in his progressive convictions, Shaji N. Karun leaves behind a glorious legacy. Heartfelt tributes."

He was also an able administrator, as he was the first chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and was the live wire during the now popular International Film Festival of Kerala. Karun was presently the chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation.

About Shaji N Karun

Though born in Kollam, he was settled in the state capital city. After his graduation, he joined the prestigious Pune Film Institute in 1971 to learn cinematography. In his long career, he has bagged seven national awards, which include three best film awards (Piravi, Vanaprasatham and Kutty Srank). It was in 1977 that he won the first of the eight Kerala State Film Awards for the best cinematographer in the film ‘Kanchana Sita'. In 1979, Karun won his first national award for camera work in the black and white film ‘Thampu'. He was also decorated with the Padma Shri for his contribution to films.

At the Cannes Film Festival in 1989, Shaji's film ‘Piravi', which he produced and directed, won a Special Mention, and in 1994, he did one shade better when his film ‘Swaham' won the best film award.

His films have also bagged honours at the London Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival and several others. Incidentally, it was just earlier this month that he was presented the most prestigious J.C. Daniel Award for his outstanding contribution to Malayalam films.

Shaji N. Karun is survived by his wife and two sons, and he will be given a state funeral to be held here on Tuesday.

(with inputs from IANS)