Veteran filmmaker and cinematographer Shaji N Karun died at the age of 73. He served as the Chairman of Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC). Karun had been battling cancer for a long time and died at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram.

The beginning of his direction, Pirvi made special mention at the Camera D’Or at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards. Pirvi also won the National Awards for Best Film and Best Director in 1988.

Shaji n. Karun was a famous artist who left a deep mark on Malayalam cinema at national and international levels. He worked as a cinematographer on about 40 films and contributed several artistic acclaimed works in Malayalam cinema, including Pirvi, Swaham, Vanaprastham, Nishad, Kutti Shranku, and Swapanam.

Born in 1952 in Kollam district, Karun graduated from University College, Thiruvananthapuram, and later earned his diploma in Cinematography from Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.