Renowned Indian filmmaker Shaji N Karun dies

Dubai: Renowned Indian filmmaker and cinematographer Shaji Neelakantan Karunakaran, popularly known as Shaji N Karun, died on Monday at the age of 73.

Shaji N Karun left an indelible mark on Indian and world cinema with his very first feature, Piravi (1988), which received the Caméra d'Or – Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.

His films Piravi, Swaham (1994), and Vanaprastham (1999) were all selected for the official sections at Cannes — a rare achievement for any filmmaker.

Throughout his illustrious career, Shaji earned numerous accolades, including a National Film Award for Best Director for Piravi, three National Awards for Best Feature Film (Piravi, Vanaprastham, and Kutty Srank), and multiple Kerala State Film Awards.

He was honoured with the JC Daniel Award, Kerala’s highest recognition in cinema, for his lifetime contribution to the art form.

Beyond filmmaking, Shaji played a pivotal role in shaping Kerala’s film culture. He was the founding chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy — India's first film and television academy — and served as the executive chairman of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) from 1998 to 2001. Under his leadership, IFFK gained international competitive status, elevating its global standing.

Shaji also chaired the Kerala State Film Development Corporation and, in 2018, was elected president of the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, Kerala’s progressive arts and literary collective.

He is survived by his wife, Anasuya Warrier, and his sons, Anil and Appu.