Shaji N Karun

Shaji N. Karun is a Malayalam film maker and cinematographer. His films include Piravi (1989), Swaham (1994), Vanaprastham (1998) and Nishad (2002).

He has also made several documentaries and short films. He is a diploma holder in cinematography from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). As a cinematographer, Shaji has worked with film directors including G.Aravindan, K.G.George and M.T.Vasudevan Nair.

The awards and honours bestowed upon him include Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, 1999; National Film Award (1989, 1994, 1999); La Caméra d'Or (Special Mention), Cannes International Film Festival; Outstanding Film, London Film Festival and Grand Jury Prize (Silver Leopard), Locarno International Film Festival.

Shaji was the first chairman of the Kerala State Film Academy and had also served as the Executive Chairman of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).

Shaji Neelakantan Karun was born on January 1, 1950, as the son of N. Karunakaran and Chandramati in the Kollam district of Kerala, India.