Latest news with #Esthappan
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shaji N. Karun, Indian Filmmaker of Cannes Selections ‘Piravi,' ‘Swaham' and ‘Vanaprastham,' Dies at 73
Shaji N. Karun, the visionary Indian director and cinematographer who redefined Malayalam-language cinema with his meditative visual language and emotionally resonant storytelling, died April 28 at his home in Thiruvananthapuram after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 73. Karun's early exposure to classical arts and literature laid the foundation for his cinematic journey. After earning a gold medal in cinematography from the Film and Television Institute of India in 1975, he began his career behind the camera, collaborating with auteurs like G. Aravindan and K.G. George on films like 'Thampu,' 'Esthappan' and 'Lekhayude Maranam: Oru Flashback.' More from Variety India's Mugafi Chief Plots Marvel of the East, Powered by AI: 'Our Goal Is to Reduce Time and Cost' (EXCLUSIVE) 'Shetland' Star Douglas Henshall Boards Indie Feature Set in 1960s Nagaland (EXCLUSIVE) 'Panchayat' Sets Season 4 Bow at Prime Video as Hit Indian Comedy-Drama Marks Fifth Anniversary (EXCLUSIVE) Karun's feature directorial debut, 'Piravi' (1988), a poignant tale of a father's search for his missing son during India's Emergency period, garnered international acclaim. The film received the Caméra d'Or – special mention at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and won India's National Film Award for best director. His subsequent films, 'Swaham' (1994) and 'Vanaprastham' (1999), further solidified his reputation, with 'Swaham' being the last film selected for competition at Cannes until Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine as Light' in 2024. Beyond filmmaking, Karun played a pivotal role in shaping Kerala's film culture. As the founding chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, he was instrumental in establishing the International Film Festival of Kerala, elevating it to international prominence. He also served as the chair of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, advocating for independent and regional cinema. Karun's contributions were recognized with numerous accolades, including Indian honor Padma Shri in 2011 and the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government in 1999. His films, deeply rooted in Kerala's cultural ethos yet universally resonant, remain timeless explorations of human resilience and longing. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in May 2025
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Legendary filmmaker Shaji N Karun passes away
Legendary filmmaker and cinematographer Shaji Neelakantan Karunakaran, better known as Shaji N Karun, passed away on Monday. He was 73. Born on January 1, 1952, in Kollam, Kerala, Shaji grew up in a culturally rich household. His family later moved to Thiruvananthapuram, where he studied at Palkulangara High School and University College. In 1971, he joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), graduating in 1974 with a gold medal in cinematography. His student film, Genesis, had already hinted at his future promise. Shaji N Karun began his career as a cinematographer, working closely with filmmakers like G. Aravindan and KG George. His work in films such as Kummaty, Thampu, Esthappan, and Yavanika was widely noted for its inventive use of light and rhythm. His directorial debut Piravi — a moving tale about a father's search for his missing son during the Emergency — won him the National Award for Best Director and a Caméra d'Or Special Mention at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. His next film Swaham became only the second Indian film after Salaam Bombay! to compete in Cannes' main section. Vanaprastham, starring Mohanlal, further cemented his international reputation, exploring the loneliness of an artiste trapped between tradition and modernity. His later films, including Kutty Srank, Swapaanam, and Olu, continued to create waves for its poignant portrayal of human nature. Until his death, he served as chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, remaining a guiding force for Malayalam cinema.
