Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India]: Legendary filmmaker Shaji N Karun, a towering figure in Malayalam cinema and one of India’s most internationally acclaimed directors, was cremated with full state honours in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. He passed away on Monday at the age of 73 following a prolonged battle with cancer.
The filmmaker’s mortal remains were kept for public homage earlier in the day, allowing fans, admirers, and members of the film fraternity to pay their respects.
Shaji N Karun’s demise comes just days after he was awarded the prestigious J C Daniel Award, Kerala’s highest film honour, for his lifetime contributions to cinema. Tributes have been pouring in across social media platforms since news of his passing broke.
“Goodbye, Shaji N. Karun Sir. Thank you for Vanaprastham and so many great visuals & movies,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), echoing the sentiments of many.
The French Embassy in India also paid tribute, writing:
“We mourn the passing of legendary filmmaker Shaji N. Karun, whose pioneering work has left an indelible mark on world cinema. A recipient of France’s Knight of Arts and Letters, several of his films were feted at Cannes. Our deepest condolences to his family & all film lovers.”
Shaji N Karun’s legacy is defined by his poetic visual storytelling and global recognition. His debut film Piravi (1988) was showcased at nearly 70 international film festivals and earned widespread acclaim. His second feature, Swaham (1994), was nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes, one of the highest honours in world cinema. His 1999 film Vanaprastham, starring Mohanlal, also premiered at Cannes and further cemented his global reputation.
Shaji was not only a filmmaker but also a trained cinematographer and a cultural visionary, contributing significantly to Kerala’s and India’s cinematic identity on the international stage.
He is survived by his family, who were by his side during his final days. The Kerala film community and cinema lovers across the globe mourn the loss of a master storyteller whose work transcended language and boundaries.