Thiruvananthapuram: Renowned filmmaker Shaji N Karun has been honoured with the J C Daniel Award for Lifetime Contribution to Malayalam Cinema for the year 2023. The award, which is the highest honour in Malayalam cinema conferred by the Kerala government, includes a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, a citation and a statuette. The award was announced through a press release by Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian.

The selection committee for the 2023 award was chaired by T V Chandran, the winner of the 2022 J C Daniel Award and veteran filmmaker. The other members included singer K S Chithra, actor Vijayaraghavan and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Secretary C Ajoy as the member-secretary.

Shaji N Karun was recognised for his significant contributions to Malayalam cinema, which brought global acclaim. His films such as Piravi, screened at over 70 international film festivals and winner of 31 awards, Swam, nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and Vanaprastham, which was showcased in the official selection at Cannes, were cited as groundbreaking works. The jury highlighted his role in energising the Malayalam New Wave cinema with creative brilliance.

Born in 1952 in Kollam district, Shaji N Karun graduated from University College, Thiruvananthapuram, and earned a diploma in cinematography from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, in 1974. He played a pivotal role in the formation of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) in 1975 and became its Film Officer in 1976. As a cinematographer, he worked on iconic films by Aravindan such as Kanchana Sita, Thampu, Kummatty, Esthappan, Pokkuveyil, Chidambaram and Oridathu, earning a National Award for Best Cinematography and three State Awards.

Shaji N Karun's directorial debut, Piravi (1988), established him as a rare filmmaker whose first three films (Piravi, Swam and Vanaprastham) were consecutively selected for the official competition at Cannes, a unique achievement in global cinema. Other notable films include Kutty Srank, Swapaanam, Nishad and Olu. He has served as the cinematographer for over 40 films.

Over his illustrious career, Shaji N Karun has received seven National Film Awards and seven State Film Awards. He has also been honoured with international accolades, including the French Government's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the Padma Shri.

Shaji N Karun was the founding Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy in 1998, during which the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) introduced a competition section and gained FIAPF accreditation. He currently serves as the Chairman of Kerala State Film Development Corporation.