Shaji N. Karun, the pioneering Indian filmmaker who reshaped Malayalam cinema with his reflective storytelling and striking visual style, passed away on April 28 at his home in Thiruvananthapuram following a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 73.
Karun’s journey in cinema was influenced by his early exposure to classical arts and literature. After earning a gold medal in cinematography from the Film and Television Institute of India in 1975, he began working behind the scenes, collaborating with renowned directors such as G. Aravindan and K.G. George on films like Thampu, Esthappan, and Lekhayude Maranam: Oru Flashback.
His directorial debut, Piravi (1988), a poignant film about a father’s search for his missing son during India’s Emergency period, earned international acclaim. It received the Caméra d’Or special mention at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and won the National Film Award for Best Director. Karun’s subsequent films, Swaham (1994) and Vanaprastham (1999), cemented his legacy, with Swaham becoming the last film to be selected for competition at Cannes until 2024.
Beyond filmmaking, Karun made significant contributions to Kerala’s film culture. As the founding chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, he played a key role in establishing the International Film Festival of Kerala, helping it gain international recognition. He also chaired the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, championing independent and regional cinema.
Karun’s work earned him numerous honors, including the Padma Shri in 2011 and the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government in 1999. His films, which reflect Kerala’s cultural identity while exploring universal themes of human resilience and desire, remain influential in global cinema.
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