From 'Vanaprastham' to 'Kummatty', here is a look at how the visual poet shaped Malayalam cinema's New Wave
Famed for creating films with rich aesthetics, the Padma Shri-winning multi-hyphenate was truly an auteur in the league of K.G. George and M.T. Vasudevan Nair.
This film sees Shaji Karun deftly handling a forbidden inter-caste romance plot, elevated by Mohanlal's stellar acting and Kathakali performances that will leave you spellbound.
The acting prowess of veteran actor Premji in this film clashes with Shaji's heart-wrenching narrative of a father's endless wait for his son to create a film that will surely leave you sobbing.
Originally conceived on a grand scale, this small arthouse drama with intertwining narratives, features Mammootty as the titular character, earning five National Awards in 2010.
Another of Shaji's films to garner national and international fame, this is the story of a destitute mother's struggle to send her son to the Army.
One of K.G. George's lighter classics, this political satire revolves around a henpecked politician's strong desire for personal glory, elevated by Shaji's effortless cinematography.
G. Aravindan's magical realist film about Kummatty (Bogeyman), a Pied Piper-esque figure who casts a spell on the children of a village, was the first of its kind to hit Malayalam screens, featuring Shaji's hypnotic, minimalist frames.
This Hariharan gem is a romantic intrigue about an epileptic's marriage to a girl who had other wishes. Shaji's wonderful visuals are as sweet as Yesudas' songs and the performances.