KOCHI: Malayalam cinematographer Shaji Kumar, whose work included the Mohanlal-starrers Pulimurugan, Naran and Thudarum, has died in Kochi on Tuesday morning (November 10). He was 57.
Kumar was in Alappuzha for the shooting of an upcoming film starring Dileep when he felt unwell in his hotel room on Saturday night. He told the film's director, Ullas Krishna, and was taken to a nearby hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Kochi. His condition improved after admission and he was able to speak normally, but it deteriorated again on Sunday night, industry sources said.
A disciple of veteran cinematographer Vipin Mohan, Kumar began his career in the era of film cameras and was known for his lighting, colour composition and framing, before adapting to digital filmmaking. He worked with directors including Joshiy, Shaji Kailas, V M Vinu, M Padmakumar and Vaishakh, and with younger filmmakers such as Tharun Moorthy. His recent work included Athimanoharam, starring Mohanlal and directed by Tharun Moorthy, and Suresh Gopi's Ottakomban.
The FEFKA Director's Union remembered the late cinematographer's contributions to the malayalam cinema industry while expressing their condolences.
His filmography includes Naran, Pulimurugan, Ramaleela, Odiyan, Madhura Raja, Ittymaani: Made in China, Night Drive, Pathonpatham Noottandu, Bandra, Once Upon a Time in Kochi and Thudarum. The FEFKA Directors' Union condoled his death.
Hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, Kumar had lived in Perumbavoor for several years. He is survived by his wife Smitha and sons Aryan and Sooryan.
(With inputs from Media reports)