Born at Kerala, India, in 1952. He studied Cinema and Television at the highly reputed film institute of India at Pute, graduating to become the cinematographer of nearly 40 films. His work won him the Eastman Kodak Award for Excellence in 1990. Besides making films, Shaji Karun has been active as a juror at many International film festivals and an active participant in governmental and academic arenas. He was the Premiere Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra (Moving Picture) Academy, the first academy for Film and TV in India and was also the Executive Chairman of International Film festival of Kerala from 1998 to 2001. For his achievements in Cinema, the Government of Kerala honoured him by granting a Civilian Award ‘Prathibha Pranamam‘ in 2000. In the same year he has been decorated with the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres by the Ministry of Culture, The Government of France.

filmography
• 1974 Lady of the landing (short film)
• 1974 Genesis (short film)
• 1980 Kerala Karneval (short film)
• 1986 Kannikal (short film)
• 1988 Birth (Piravi)
• 1994 My Own (Swaham)
• 1996 Sham’s Vision (short film)
• 1998 Vanaprastan (The Last Dance, 1999)
• 1998 Bhavam (short film)
• 2000 G. Aravindan (short film)
• 2002 Nishad
• 2003 Gaatha