Shaji Neelkantan Karun is seen as the hope of the Malayalam and Indian New Cinema. Graduating from the FTII, Pune in 1974, he has worked on most of G Aranindan`s films. After a short film or two Shaji Karun has two feature films to his credit. Both these films are masterpieces, which have put the Indian sub-continent in the vanguard of the programmes of the major international film festivals and of some film loving distributors. His debut film was Piravi (1988). This film was immediately awarded with several national prizes in India for the direction of his "creativity in the portrayal of human suffering."

At the international this film had received a special mention at jury at the Cannes and it was acclaimed at Locarno, Montreal, New York, Paris and London. The second film of Shaji Karun was Swaham in 1994. It is a both an immensely poetic celebration of pain and "the reaction of a sensitive and unpretentious man confronted by a corrupt and ruthless system, a citizen without access to the power centres, a social nonentity." This profoundly humanistic film once again goes beyond the minimalist factual framework to illustrate the inner state of characters who are lonely and defenseless in a society driven by power and money.

Vanaprastham is the most expensive production of Malayalam cinema from its inception. The great musician Zakir Hussain composed the music of the film. At the centre of the film, the identity crisis of Kunjukuttan, portrayed by Mohanlal, has learnt Kathakali by declaring that it was the role of his life. The man is torn between his real life and his stage character.

In 2002 Shaji Karun made Nishad. His two projects are in the pipeline for 2008: Kutty Shranku and Suryamukhi.

This ace Malayalam director is the recipient of several national and international awards both as a director and a cinematographer.

As a Cinematographer

Eastman Kodak Award for the Excellence, Hawaii International Film Festival 1989

National Award for Film: Thampu (1979)

The Awards from the Government of Kerala for Films: Kanchana Sita (1977), Estappan (1981), Onnumuthal Poojayam Vare(1986)

As a Malayalam Director

Ordre des Arts et des Lettres: 1999

National Film Award: Piravi (1989), Swaham (1994), Vanaprastham (1999)

Cannes International Film Festival, La Caméra d`Or (Special Mention): Piravi (1989)

London Film Festival, Outstanding Film: Piravi (1989)

Locarno International Film Festival, Grand Jury Prize (Silver Leopard): Piravi (1989)

Shaji Karun is still active and continues his work of enriching the Malayalam film industry.