The Master Storyteller Who Gave Malayalam Cinema Its Global Voice

For the legendary director, success was never about labels or box office numbers. It was about creating cinema that lives beyond its time

- ANINDITA ACHARYA

In 'Vanaprastham: The Last Dance' (1999), Mohanlal delivered one of the finest performances of his career as Kunhikuttan, a famous Kathakali dancer. The opening scene has no dialogue – just a man, wrapped in a blanket and a bottle rolling over beside him. 'Vanaprastham' remains not only a career-defining film for Mohanlal but also one of Malayalam cinema's greatest cinematic treasures. Directed by Shaji N Karun, it is a masterclass in acting, cinematography, music (composed by Ustad Zakir Hussain) and storytelling.

The Padma Shri awardee and one of India's most sensitive filmmakers, passed away on Monday in Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 73. A pioneer and flag bearer of new-wave cinema in Kerala, he was known for his poetic frames, fearless experimentation and powerful human stories. Shaji took Malayalam cinema to the global stage.

Man Behind the Lens
Before he became a filmmaker, Shaji was already a renowned cinematographer having shot more than 30 movies. Every time he picked up the camera, he created moving images where even silence spoke volumes, a gift he carried with him when he shifted to direction.