How Piravi and Vanaprastham immortalised Shaji N. Karun’s vision

Indian cinema lost one of its most poetic and compassionate storytellers today. Shaji N. Karun, the internationally acclaimed filmmaker who redefined Malayalam cinema's emotional and visual language, passed away at the age of 73. As the industry and his admirers mourn his death, his masterpieces Piravi and Vanaprastham stand as towering testaments to his unparalleled artistry.

Piravi: A Father's Silent Agony

When Shaji N. Karun made his directorial debut with Piravi ("The Birth") in 1988, nobody thought how influential a figure Karun would become in the years to come. Based on the harrowing true story of Professor T. V. Eachara Warrier, who lost his son Rajan to police brutality during the Emergency period, Piravi captured the anguish of a father waiting endlessly for a son who would never return.

With Premji’s (lead character's name) haunting performance at its centre, and framed in Shaji’s meditative, almost perfect cinematography, Piravi spoke of loss, injustice, and the quiet endurance of hope. The film transcended language and culture, earning accolades across the world — including a Special Mention for the Caméra d'Or at Cannes, the Silver Leopard at Locarno, and the President of India’s Gold Medal for Best Film. Shaji himself was honored with the National Award for Best Director — a rare feat for a debut filmmaker.

Vanaprastham: The Elegy of an Artist

A decade later, Shaji returned with another towering work, Vanaprastham ("The Last Dance"), starring Mohanlal in one of his career-defining performances. This film, set against the backdrop of Kathakali, explored the life of Kunhikuttan, a performer whose personal identity remained forever submerged beneath the mythological characters he portrayed on stage.

Vanaprastham was a meditation on art, caste, loneliness, and the sacrifices demanded by greatness. It captured not only the struggles of an individual artist but the fading of cultural legacies themselves. Selected for the Cannes Film Festival yet again — Shaji’s third film to receive that honor — Vanaprastham won multiple National Awards, including Best Feature Film, and cemented his reputation as a master chronicler of the human spirit.

Through its melancholic beauty and layered storytelling, Vanaprastham stands as one of Indian cinema’s most profound reflections on identity and belonging.