One of a kind

A few days back, Shaji N. Karun received the J.C. Daniel Award, the highest award given by Kerala for his comprehensive contribution to the film industry, from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Nishagandhi in Kanakakunnu, Thiruvananthapuram.

Shaji's 95-year-old mother Chandramati, his wife Anasuya, their sons Anil and Appu, Shaji's sister Sheela, other family members, and grandchildren were all present at the event, a rare confluence.

"The greatest recognition is what you get from home. There is no greater honour than that. Nothing brings more happiness," said Shaji N. Karun after receiving the J.C. Daniel Award. His relentless effort to install a statue of J.C. Daniel in the capital city got poetic justice when the eponymous award came straight into his hands.

His debut film 'Piravi'considered a miracle across the globe, was ignored in Kerala. Renowned Bengali filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta, the jury chairman at the time, openly said about his helpless state.

Shaji is one of the rare filmmakers in the world to have three consecutive films screened at Cannes. It was only thirty years after ‘Swaham’ that an Indian film got selected for competition at Cannes - Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine as Light.'

Shaji played a vital role in improving Chitranjali Studio, starting the first film academy in India, and making the International Film Festival of Kerala a great success. In his yeoman effort to uplift the cinema culture in Kerala, the director luminary was robbed of his precious time doing what he used to do best. In total, Shaji directed just seven feature films in total.

People who have attended the film festival in Kerala would have seen how international filmmakers treat this Kerala-born director with reverence. You might not see the same treatment being meted out to other big names in the Indian film industry. There lies the stature of this legend.

Shaji’s family was apprehensive of his decision to attend the Pune Film Institute to learn cinema. However, the big intervention came from Dr PKR Warrier.

“Dr. P.K.R. Warrier was my father's close friend and mentor. Dr. Warrier's advice that whatever work you do, you should enjoy it and do it with passion influenced my father.”