Veteran Director And Padma Shri Recipient Shaji Karun Dies At 73 After Prolonged Battle With Cancer

Legendary Malayalam filmmaker Shaji Karun breathed his last at the age of 73. On April 28, he succumbed to a long battle with cancer at his residence. As per reports, the director was admitted to a private hospital where he was receiving treatment for cancer. He had returned home two days before his demise. He is survived by his wife, Anasuya Devaki Warrier, and sons, Appu and Anil. Details of his last rites are yet to be disclosed. 

Shaji N Karun served as the chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC). The celebrated filmmaker made a name for himself and for Malayalam cinema, both in India and abroad. His vast body of work includes cinematic gems like Piravi (1988), Swaham (1994), Vanaprastham (1999) and Kutty Srank (2009). 

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In a rare feat for any director, his directorial debut, Piravi, won the Caméra d’Or – Mention d’honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. He also earned a National Film Award for Best Director for Piravi, three National Awards for Best Feature Film (Piravi, Vanaprastham, Kutty Srank), and multiple Kerala State Film Awards. In 2011, Shaji N Karun was awarded with Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour. 

Born in 1952 in Kollam district, the filmmaker completed his graduation from University College, Thiruvananthapuram. He later earned a diploma in cinematography from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.  

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Several industry insiders and bigwigs have mourned the demise of Shaji N Karun. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also spoke about his loss and told PTI, “I am truly shocked and saddened by this news. Shaji N Karun was one of the greats, no question about it. If you were to name half a dozen of the great Indian directors, he would be one of them. He had such extraordinary success. You remember his first movie, Piravi, when he was just in his mid 30’s, was not only a national award winner, but got special mention in Cannes, had global recognition, he went on to make many other fine films, but what is striking that he was the master of depiction of grief, heartbreak, pain, and today he leaves us like almost like a scene in one of his films, in leaving us with a moment of desolation, and loss… I extend my condolences to his family.”