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Shaji Kumar, the cinematographer behind the Mohanlal-starrers Pulimurugan (2016), the first Malayalam film to cross the Rs 100 crore mark, and Thudarum (2025), died at a private hospital in Kochi early Tuesday, November 10. He was 57.
Kumar had been admitted two days earlier after feeling unwell during the shoot of a film starring Dileep in Alappuzha. The cinematographer had expressed feeling physical discomfort while in his hotel room on Saturday night, and was taken to a local hospital after informing the film's director Ullas Krishna.
He was first treated at the hospital before being shifted to Kochi for advanced care. While his condition reportedly improved, allowing him to speak normally again, his health deteriorated again on Saturday night.
Kumar was a disciple of veteran cinematographer Vipin Mohan and made his debut as a cinematographer in 2001 with the Malayalam film Uthaman. Across more than two decades, he shot over 50 films and worked with directors such as Joshiy, Shaji Kailas, V.M. Vinu, M. Padmakumar and Vysakh, as well as newer filmmakers including Tharun Moorthy.
He worked on numerous titles, including Naran, Odiyan, Madhura Raja, Pokkiri Raja, Nasrani, Baba Kalyani, Vellinakshatram, Athbhutha Dweepu, Robin Hood, Mallu Singh, Ring Master, Pathonpatham Noottandu and Bandra. Several of these were large-scale commercial entertainers that built Kumar’s reputation in the mass-film space.
Kumar was also working as the cinematographer for Mohanlal’s upcoming title Athimanoharam, directed by Tharun Moorthy, and Suresh Gopi’s Ottakkomban.