Join Trend Beam TV and anchor Shibnath as we pay heartfelt tribute to legendary filmmaker Shaji N Karun, who passed away on April 28, 2025, at the age of 73. A pioneer of Indian parallel cinema, Shaji N Karun was more than just a director—he was a visual poet whose films like Piravi, Swaham, and Vanaprastham reshaped the artistic landscape of Malayalam cinema and Indian filmmaking as a whole. In this special episode, we explore his cinematic journey—from his early days as a cinematographer to becoming a globally acclaimed director. Discover how his minimalist yet deeply emotional style made him a revered figure at international film festivals like Cannes. We also reflect on his leadership roles at the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and Kerala State Film Development Corporation, highlighting his immense contribution to nurturing independent voices in cinema. This episode is a must-watch for cinema lovers, students of film, and anyone who values storytelling with soul. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Trend Beam TV for more in-depth coverage of film legends and cinematic milestones. #ShajiNKarun #MalayalamCinema #IndianCinema #TrendBeamTV #FilmTribute #Shibnath #Piravi #Swaham #Vanaprastham #RIPShajiNKarun
KEY WORDS: Shaji N Karun Shaji N Karun death Shaji N Karun tribute Malayalam cinema legend Indian parallel cinema Piravi movie director Swaham Shaji N Karun Vanaprastham Mohanlal Malayalam film history Indian art cinema Trend Beam TV Shibnath anchor Kerala film tribute FTII alumni filmmakers Shaji N Karun cinematography Indian filmmaker obituary Cannes Indian films Malayalam cinema news JC Daniel Award winner Padma Shri filmmaker HASH TAGS: #ShajiNKarun #MalayalamCinema #IndianCinemaLegend #ParallelCinema #FilmTribute #TrendBeamTV #ShibnathReports #ArtHouseCinema #CannesFilmFestival #CinemaObituary #TrendBeamTV #ShibnathKhan
00:00Welcome to TrendBeamTV. I'm Rashmika and today we pause to remember a legend who transformed
00:17Indian cinema into a space of deep reflection and poetic silence.
00:22The world has lost one of its most visionary artists, Shaji N. Karun.
00:30A master filmmaker and visual poet, his passing on 28 April 2025 marks the end of an era in parallel cinema.
00:56Stay with us as we explore his extraordinary legacy only on TrendBeamTV.
01:03The world of cinema has lost one of its most evocative and sensitive voices with the passing
01:09of Shaji N. Karun, a master filmmaker, visionary cinematographer and pioneering figure in Indian
01:16parallel cinema. He died on 28 April 2025 at the age of 73 after a prolonged illness.
01:24Shaji's demise not only marks the end of a significant era in Malayalam cinema but also
01:31a profound silence in the world of artistic filmmaking.
01:38Shaji N. Karun, born Shaji Neelkantan Karunakaran in 1952 in Koolnam, Kerala was not merely a filmmaker,
01:47he was a visual poet. Through his films, he explored the realms of human suffering, silence and
01:54spiritual endurance with unmatched sensitivity and minimalism. His camera didn't just capture images,
02:02it captured emotions, emptiness and time itself. Shaji graduated from the prestigious film and television
02:08industry in Koolnam, Kerala was not merely a filmmaker, he was a visual poet.
02:12Shaji N. Karun, Open Time, L.K.
02:24Shaji N. Karunakaran, FDII, Pune in 1974, receiving a gold medal in cinematography.
02:31Even before his graduation, his short film Genesis had attracted attention.
02:38His early years were spent as a cinematographer and it was in this role that he began to shape
02:43the grammar of Indian art cinema.
02:46He collaborated with legendary filmmakers such as G. Arvindal and K. G. George on seminal
02:52works like Kanchanasita , Thampu , Kummati , Esthappan , Pokkuvel and Yavnika .
03:09His visuals didn't merely support the narrative, they were the narrative.
03:14Influenced by classical Indian aesthetics and the realism of European cinema, Shati created
03:20a unique cinematic idiom that was deeply introspective, slow-burning and spiritual.
03:26In 1988, Shaji made his directorial debut with Pairavi , a heart-wrenching
03:32story inspired by the real-life Rajan case during the emergency in India.
03:38The film portrays a father's quite yet relentless search for his missing son.
03:44Unlike most films about loss, Pairavi avoided overt sentimentality, instead choosing a
03:50restrained and deeply poetic approach.
03:53The film won the National Film Award for Best Director and was awarded the camera Dior's
03:58special mention at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.
04:03It went on to screen at nearly 70 international festivals, setting a precedent for Indian parallel
04:09cinema on the global stage.
05:10His second film, Swaham, 1994, was equally powerful, focusing on a mother's existential struggles following her son's death.
05:21It became only the second Indian film to be selected for the competition section at the Cannes Film Festival.
05:28Here again, Shahji depicted sorrow not with loud theatrics but through profound silences and unspoken despair.
05:35In Vanuprastam, 1999, he explored themes of artistic alienation and cultural identity.
05:44Starring Mohanlal, the film tells the story of a Kathakali artist whose life mirrors the roles he plays on stage.
05:51The film received international acclaim and was featured in the Uncertain Regards section at Cannes.
05:58His later directorial ventures included Nishad, 2002, in Hindi, Kutti Shrank, 2009, which won the National Award for Best Feature Film, Swapanam, 2013, and Olu, 2018, a fantasy drama featuring Shane Nigam and Esther Anil.
06:17Shahji N. Karol was not just an artist, but also a cultural leader.
06:23As the first chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, he played a pivotal role in shaping Kerala's film policy and building the International Film Festival of Kerala, IFFK, into one of Asia's most prestigious film events.
06:38Later, he served as chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, KSFDC, where he worked to support independent and emerging filmmakers.
06:49His deep commitment to nurturing talent was also evident in his mentorship roles.
06:55However, in his later years, his tenure at KSFDC was not without controversy.
07:03Some women filmmakers raised concerns about the administration of a state-funded project intended to support female directors.
07:11Despite the criticism, his broader contributions to Kerala's cinematic infrastructure remained immense and undeniable.
07:18Throughout his illustrious career, Shahji's films were honoured with numerous national and international awards.
07:26He won the National Film Award for Best Director for Pairavi and received Kerala State Film Awards for Best Director for both Swaham and Vanprastham.
07:55He was also a recipient of the prestigious J.C. Daniel Award for Lifetime Contribution to Malayalam Cinema, the highest honour given by the Kerala Government.
08:06In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
08:12Later, in 2019, he was conferred with the Chevalier of the Ordere des Arts et Des Letters by the Government of France for his contribution to World Cinema.
08:22What set Shahji and Karun apart was his ability to translate the invisible fractures of the heart into poignant visual experiences.
08:32His films were meditative, reflective, and deeply human.
08:37They seldom provided answers but always left the audience with enduring questions.
08:43He believed cinema was akin to prayer, a space to contemplate, not just to consume.
08:49At the time of his passing, Shahji was still actively involved in discussions about the future of Malayalam cinema, including work on new policies and funding structures.
09:01His death feels like a scene from one of his own films, quiet, dignified, and filled with a resonant, echoing stillness.
09:09He is survived by his wife Ansuya Varyar and two sons, Anil and Appu.
09:16Tributes poured in from across the film world, including from his Alma Mater FDII, which wrote,
09:22A master storyteller and a pioneer of Malayalam cinema, his work enriched Indian filmmaking.
09:29Filmography as director
09:30Piravi, 1988
09:32Swaham, 1994
09:33Vanna Prastam, 1999
09:35Nishad, 2002
09:36Kutisranc, 2009
09:38Swapanam, 2013
09:39Olu, 2018
09:41As cinematographer
09:42Kanchanasita, 1977
09:44Tampu, 1978
09:45Kumati, 1979
09:47Estapan, 1979
09:48Bokuvail, 1980
09:50Chidambaram, 1985
09:52Yavanika, 1982
09:54Honors and Awards
09:55National Film Award for Best Director
09:57Piravi, 1988
09:59Camera Door
10:00Special Mention at Cannes
10:02Piravi, 1989
10:03Kerala State Film Awards
10:06Best Director
10:06Swaham Vanna Prastam
10:08Padma Shree
10:10Government of India
10:122011
10:13Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
10:16Government of France
10:182019
10:18JC Daniel Award
10:21Kerala Government
10:222025
10:23Posterously
10:30Shaji N Karum's contribution to Indian cinema transcends boundaries
10:46He gave voice to the unheard, space to silence and meaning to grief.
10:51His legacy is a body of work that will continue to inspire filmmakers and viewers alike, urging them to see cinema not just as entertainment but as a medium of introspection, empathy and transcendence.
11:04Like a quiet prayer whispered to the universe, Shaji's cinema will linger in our hearts long after the credits roll.
11:13As we close today's special tribute, we remember Shaji N Karun not just as a filmmaker but as a silent revolutionary of Indian cinema, a man who saw stories in stillness and emotion in silence.
11:27His lens gave voice to the unspeakable and his legacy will guide generations of storytellers.
11:35I'm Rashmika and this is TrendBeam TV where cinema lives breathes and remembers.
11:42Until next time, stay inspired and stay tuned.
