Veteran Malayalam cinematographer Shaji Kumar died on 10 November 2026 at the age of 57, industry sources confirmed. He was in Alappuzha working on a project with actor Dileep when he fell ill and subsequently passed away.
Circumstances of His Passing
Kumar reported feeling unwell in his hotel room on Saturday night and alerted director Ullas Krishna. He was first taken to a nearby hospital before being transferred to a private facility, where his condition initially improved and he was able to speak normally.
Later that night, his health deteriorated again, leading to his untimely death on Sunday. The sudden loss has left the Malayalam film fraternity in shock.
Legacy and Recent Work
A disciple of veteran cinematographer Vipin Mohan, Kumar began his career behind the lens of film cameras before transitioning to digital. Over the years he earned a reputation for mastery of lighting, colour composition and framing.
He collaborated with directors such as Joshiy, Shaji Kailas, V M Vinu, M Padmakumar and Vaishakh, as well as younger filmmakers like Tharun Moorthy. Recent assignments included the Mohanlal‑starrer “Athimanoharam” directed by Moorthy and Suresh Gopi’s “Ottakomban”.
Kumar’s filmography boasts commercially successful titles like “Naran”, “Pulimurugan”, “Ramaleela”, “Odiyan”, “Madhura Raja”, “Ittymaani: Made in China”, “Night Drive”, “Pathonpatham Noottandu”, “Bandra”, “Once Upon a Time in Kochi” and “Thudarum”.
Born in Thiruvananthapuram and later residing in Perumbavoor, he is survived by his wife Smitha and sons Aryan and Sooryan. The FEFKA Directors’ Union expressed condolences, highlighting his impact on Malayalam cinema.
