Latest news with #ShajiN.Karun
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Modernised Kairali-Sree Theatres opened in Thrissur
Minister for Culture Saji Cherian inaugurated the renovated Kairali-Sree theatres in Thrissur on Tuesday. Speaking at the function, the Minister said that Kerala will continue to resist attacks on creative freedom and will emerge as a progressive model in the cultural domain. Modern theatres are essential to deliver films to audiences in the best possible way, he said. . He said that a Cinema Conclave will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on August 2 and 3 and a Cultural Congress in Kochi from December 18 to 20, which will promote peace and harmony and provide platforms for dialogue on artistic freedom. 'At a time when even the naming of films is being questioned, the need for cultural unity is more urgent than ever,' he said. 'More modern theatres are under construction in Kayamkulam, Vaikom, Alappuzha (Alagappanagar), and Payyannur. By 2030, the aim is to expand to 50 screens across the State. The State is also investing in inclusion, with annual grants of ₹1.5 crore each for two SC/ST directors and two women directors to produce films. A new award has been instituted for transgender individuals who excel in the field of cinema, and women are being trained for technical roles through the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy,' the Minister said. Mr. Cherian also announced that a new cinema theatre project will soon begin in Ollur. He also highlighted that ₹150-crore worth of modernisation is under way at the Chithranjali Studio, with the first phase involving ₹70 crore in new infrastructure, positioning it as a premier film production hub in Kerala. Revenue Minister K. Rajan, who presided over the event, stressed the need to safeguard physical and mental well-being in an increasingly polarised environment. He warned against attempts to politicise even exercise and education, referencing to controversies around including practices like Zumba in school curricula. The Kairali and Sree theatres, originally opened in 1999 under the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), have undergone a major upgrade at a cost of ₹16 crore. The revamped facilities now feature state-of-the-art technology including RGB 4K laser projection, Hugo silver screens, Dolby Atmos 36-channel audio, pushback and platinum sofa seating, and air-conditioned baby feeding rooms. Kairali now seats 519 (including 33 platinum sofa seats) and Sree accommodates 327 (with 36 sofa seats), allowing more than 800 viewers at once. The complex also includes lifts, cafeteria, waiting area, guest rooms, accessible restrooms, and ample vehicle parking, designed to be disabled-friendly. Minister Cheriyan praised filmmaker Shaji N. Karun for his vision that guided the redesign and reaffirmed the government's commitment to the cinema sector. The event also paid tribute to the late Shaji N. Karun, former Chalachitra Academy chairman, with a commemorative address by filmmaker and KSFDC Board member M.A. Nishad. Actor T.G. Ravi was honoured for completing 50 years in cinema. Other dignitaries attended the event included KSFDC MD P.S. Priyadarsan, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Chairperson Mattannur Sankarankutty, Lalithakala Akademi Chairman Murali Cheeroth, and Thrissur Corporation officials.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Tribute to filmmaker Shaji N.Karun
The Banner Film Society will on May 18 screen three films as a tribute to filmmaker and cinematographer Shaji who passed away last month. The films to be screened are part of the 'My favourites' package handpicked by the filmmaker for an earlier screening of the society. The screenings will be at Lenin Balavadi. At 9.30 a.m., Yaaba directed by Idrissa Ouedraogo will be screened followed by The Piano directed by Jane Campion at 11 a.m. and Pelle The Conqueror directed by Bille August at 2.15 p.m. Entry to the screenings is free. For more information, contact 9349931452
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
India's Godrej Fund Management Signs $236 Million Studio Deal With Maharashtra Government at WAVES Summit
India's Godrej Fund Management has inked a landmark agreement with the Maharashtra government that promises to inject fresh vigor into India's booming content creation ecosystem. The memorandum of understanding, signed with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) conference in Mumbai, outlines plans for a cutting-edge film, television and media campus at Godrej City, Panvel. Mumbai, the capital of the western Indian state of Maharashtra, is home to the Hindi-language Bollywood film industry. More from Variety Prime Focus Group Inks $400 Million Deal for Mumbai Entertainment Hub Indian Content Veterans Unite to Form Madlab Alpha, Target 'Bold' Storytelling (EXCLUSIVE) Shaji N. Karun, Indian Filmmaker of Cannes Selections 'Piravi,' 'Swaham' and 'Vanaprastham,' Dies at 73 The project carries a total investment tag of INR20 billion (approximately $236 million) and is projected to generate employment for about 2,500 professionals across various disciplines. Phase one alone will see an investment of roughly $59 million on a sprawling 10-acre parcel. This is the second major infrastructure deal signed with the Maharashtra government during WAVES, after the $400 million entertainment hub deal with Prime Focus Group. The development is strategically positioned at Godrej City, a self-sustaining township spread across approximately 145 acres, featuring a 30-acre, 9-hole golf course. The location offers prime connectivity advantages, sitting a short drive from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The recently operational Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) further enhances accessibility to South Mumbai. In what could be a significant boost to India's position as one of the world's largest content producers, the campus will house AA studios, designed as a creative nucleus for artists, musicians, and filmmakers. The facility is expected to align with the government of India's recent incentive policy for foreign film productions, potentially attracting international projects to Indian shores. Under the agreement terms, the Maharashtra government will streamline necessary permissions, registrations, approvals, and fiscal incentives from related state departments for the development of the campus. The development is being designed with future-readiness in mind, with leading international experts engaged to create facilities equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including AI integration. Beyond direct employment in content production, the project is expected to stimulate growth in hospitality, technical services, and tourism sectors while boosting foreign exchange earnings. 'This initiative marks a meaningful partnership with the government of Maharashtra to foster innovation, creativity, and employment,' said Karan Bolaria, MD & CEO of Godrej Fund Management. 'Aligned with the Mumbai 3.0 vision, we aim to build a vibrant ecosystem that attracts global talent, empowers local creators, and positions Panvel as a cultural and commercial hub.' Godrej is one of India's most storied conglomerates. Its real estate investment arm, Godrej Fund Management, has rapidly emerged as a major player in India's institutional-grade property market, steering marquee developments across Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi in partnership with global investors. Best of Variety Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Reviews of ‘Retro' and ‘Thunderbolts'
Around Tinsel Town >> WAVES Summit 2025: Highlights A constellation of Indian film celebrities attended the inaugural ceremony of the WAVES summit 2025 in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai, on Thursday. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), the four-day event is poised to position India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation by bringing together creators, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the world. Here are some highlights from the summit: > Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan light up WAVES summit 2025 > Aamir Khan explains why Indian films are struggling in theatres: Our business model is flawed > Vijay Deverakonda slams English hegemony, bats for Hindi and Telugu: We need to expand our kingdom > Nagarjuna, Karthi, Anupam Kher decode Pan-India filmmaking >> Ajith Kumar receives Padma Bhushan from President Droupadi Murmu Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar received the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour, from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. The actor is among the 19 Padma Bhushan awardees announced by the Union government. After receiving the award, the actor spoke about the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, urging Indians to rise above divisions and foster unity. Ajith also paid tribute to India's armed forces, recognising their sacrifices and service. The 'Good Bad Ugly' star, in an interview, also credited his wife Shalini as a huge pillar of support and that she stood by him even when he made some bad decisions. >> Shaji N. Karun, veteran Malayalam filmmaker-cinematographer, passes away Shaji N. Karun, filmmaker, cinematographer, and institution builder of Malayalam cinema, passed away on Monday evening. He was 73. In a condolence message, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Mr. Karun's works brought national and international repute to Malayalam cinema. Sunny Joseph, acclaimed cinematographer, paid his tribute to Mr. Karun and said that veteran cinematographers like him instilled the courage in the people who followed them to take a few risks and go the extra distance in capturing a frame. Here's a tribute to the late legendary Shaji N. Karun: How Shaji N Karun captured the realities of life through his lens >> Film directors Khalid Rahman, Ashraf Hamsa arrested on the charge of possessing suspected hybrid ganja Personnel of the Excise Department arrested film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa during a pre-dawn raid on Sunday, April 27, on the charge of possessing suspected hybrid ganja from the apartment of a director-cum-cinematographer in Kochi. The suspected hybrid ganja was reportedly sourced from a supplier in Kerala. Since the quantity in their possession was minimal, the accused were released on bail. Meanwhile, actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi on Monday appeared before the Excise team investigating the seizure of hybrid ganja from a resort at Omanapuzha in Alappuzha for questioning. >> Supreme Court notice to Centre, others on plea to ban sexually explicit content on OTT, social media platforms The Supreme Court on Monday, April 28, sought responses from the Centre and others on a plea seeking a direction to take appropriate steps to prohibit streaming of sexually explicit content on OTT and social media platforms. Bollywood Actor Chhaya Kadam lands in legal trouble for allegedly eating mouse deer, monitor lizard, porcupine meat Kajol introduces Shubhangi, the lead of Anupam Kher's upcoming directorial 'Tanvi The Great' Aamir Khan addresses fake AI-generated poster, clarifies he's not portraying Guru Nanak Vikrant Massey to play Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Siddharth Anand's 'White' 'The Family Man' Season 3 actor Rohit Basfore found dead in Assam Hollywood Francis Ford Coppola honoured with AFI Life Achievement Award as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas lead tributes Martin Scorsese to produce a documentary on Pope Francis titled 'Aldeas — A New Story' Brad Pitt to star in A24's 'The Riders' from 'Conclave' director Edward Berger Dev Patel to write, direct, and star in period revenge thriller 'The Peasant' Tom Cruise praises Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan's 'Sinners', ahead of 'Mission: Impossible' release Tom Hanks starrer 'Greyhound' sequel to start in January 2026 'Miami Vice' remake to be helmed by 'Top Gun: Maverick'-maker Joseph Kosinski Regional Cinema Jr NTR-Prashanth Neel movie gets a release date Nani to be part of SS Rajamouli's dream project 'Mahabharata' Suriya confirms teaming up with Venky Atluri for his next; film to go on floors in May 'KGF' star Yash's mother ventures into production; first film 'Kothalavadi' launched 'Thudarum' director Tharun Moorthy to work with Fahadh Faasil, Arjun Das and Naslen in his next Santhanam reunites with Silambarasan TR in Ramkumar Balakrishnan's film; Kayadu Lohar also on board All March releases, except 'Empuraan,' flopped at box office, as per Kerala producers' association's figures World Cinema Martin Scorsese boards Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter starrer 'Homebound' as executive producer Payal Kapadia joins Cannes 2025 jury alongside Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong and more Charli XCX to produce, star in legendary Japanese director Takashi Miike's next Trailers Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh promise a comedy with a mystery twist in 'Housefull 5' teaser 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' trailer shows Jesse Eisenberg lead a new generation of magicians Dwayne Johnson transforms into UFC legend Mark Kerr in trailer of Benny Safdie's biopic 'The Smashing Machine' 'Devil's Double Next Level' trailer shows Santhanam as a film critic stuck inside a quirky horror film Women watching a television soap get possessed in trailer of Samantha's debut production, 'Subham' Josh Brolin and Julia Garner search for creepy kids in trailer of Zach Cregger's new horror 'Weapons' Essential reading 1) 50 Years of Rajinikanth: the filmmakers who made the star >> Here's a look at the directors whose contributions proved pivotal for superstar Rajinikanth to not only stay relevant, but thrive as one of Asia's biggest stars 2) Veteran writer Javed Siddiqui on Satyajit Ray's unique approach to filmmaking >> Introduced to cinema with 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi,' Siddiqui recalls how Ray sketched every shot in a logbook 3) Actor Sandeep Pradeep: 'Alappuzha Gymkhana' made me physically and mentally strong >> The actor also speaks about his upcoming projects, including playing the lead in the new project of the 'Kishkindha Kaandam' team 4) Director Bhaskhar Maurya: 'Muthayya' was born out of my fear >> As his debut Telugu indie feature gears up to stream on ETV Win, Maurya talks about it being fueled by his journey and observations 5) Narrated by Khatija Rahman, 'Stardust' short film shines light on vanishing fireflies >> A rare firefly gathering in Tamil Nadu's Anamalai forests glows to life in a poetic nature video voiced by Khatija Rahman 6) Shalini Vijayakumar's 'Seeing Red,' brings power and patriarchy to the fore >> The Chennai-based actor and director speaks about how her thirty-minute film, shot entirely using an iPhone, explores feminine rage and the culture of silence 7) Malayalam short film 'Kovarty' explores romance between a typewriter and the typist >> Kovarty, starring Rajisha Vijayan, is among the four short films selected for the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival's MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone programme 8) Film retrospective to celebrate Suchendra Prasad, his legacy and his stance to swim against the tide >> A four-day retrospective, 'Samagama,' will be held at Suchitra Film Society, where Prasad's films will be screened What to watch 1) An excellent Suriya carries Karthik Subbaraj's admirable experiment 'Retro' Read the full review here 2) Ajay Devgn delivers a taxing statement in 'Raid 2' Read the full review here 3) Florence Pugh shines in 'Thunderbolts*' amid the ennui of Marvel's mid-life crisis Read the full review here 4) In 'Havoc,' Tom Hardy slugs it out with a rogues' gallery in a gory shoot 'em up Read the full review here 5) Nani lifts the visually slick but uneven thriller, 'HIT 3' Read the full review here 6) Sanjay Dutt's ghosthunter act cannot enliven 'The Bhootnii' Read the full review here 7) Nawazuddin Siddiqui anchors 'Costao,' a biopic that shines in the second half Read the full review here 8) Sasikumar-Simran's feel-good film 'Tourist Family' leaves you all fuzzy Read the full review here 9) 'Muthayya' is a charming tale about long-cherished dreams that pays homage to cinema Read the full review here 10) Penn Badgley's Joe Goldberg swims gleefully in a crimson tide in 'You' Season 5 Read the full review here 11) 'Another Simple Favor', starring Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, is an exhausting sequel Read the full review here
Gulf Today
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
A gentle auteur
Shaji N. Karun's standing as a Malayalam cinema doyen does not rest upon a huge body of work. Quality over quantity was what he strove for and achieved. The handful of narrative features that Shaji directed had a profound impact on cinema in Kerala. His films, marked by a unique sensibility and elevated by a delicate and distinctive visual palette, were not only rooted in specific cultural ethos but were also driven by a deeply humanist vision. Shaji also influenced cinema and its dissemination in his home state as the founder chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. He was among those who were instrumental in giving shape to the International Film Festival of Kerala, which quickly evolved into the country's most-loved event of its kind. Later in his life, Shaji served as the Kerala State Film Development Corporation. His passing at the age of 73 at his home in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday has left a void that will be hard to fill. Shaji made only seven feature films in a career that began in the mid-1970s. His first three features – Piravi (1988), Swaham (1994) and Vanaprastham (1999), made over a period of a decade and a bit – were all selected for the Cannes Film Festival, a rare feat for an emerging filmmaker. In 1989, his debut film, Piravi (The Birth), about an aged father who waits in vain for his missing son to return home, won the Camera d'Or – Mention d'honneur at the Cannes Film Festival, besides a large number of other awards at festivals across the world. A still from the movie 'Piravi' by Shaji N Karun. In 1994, Swaham (My Own), about a boy who seeks an job to help his mother and sister tide over the family's financial troubles but loses his life in an incident at the military camp, competed for the Cannes Palme d'Or. Vanaprastham (The Last Dance), which revolves around a lower-caste Kathakali dancer who has an affair with an upper-caste woman, made it to the festival's Un Certain Regard section. Shaji's subsequent films may not have flown as high on the global stage, but every cinematic essay that he crafted, notably Kutty Srank, starring Mammootty, and Olu, his last feature, bore testimony to his exceptional technical and storytelling skills. His filmmaking style and artistic credo were firmly rooted in the land of his birth and the idiom he employed sprang from a creative space entirely his own. It is understandable why the soft-spoken, self-effacing Shaji would often lament the derivative methods that some of Kerala's younger filmmakers adopted. Shaji (right) with G Aravindan during a shoot. Shaji's own roots lay in the cinema of the iconic G. Aravindan, with whom he collaborated over a long period. Before he became a director, the Film and Television Institute of India alum worked as the cinematographer for eight of Aravindan's films, including Kanchana Sita (Golden Sita, 1977), Thampu (The Circus Tent, 1978), Esthappan (1980) and the absolutely exquisite Chidambaram (1985). One of the most remarkable collaborations between Aravindan and Shaji was Pokkuveyil (Twilight, 1982). Aravindan recorded the film's background score first with Hariprasad Chaurasia on the flute and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan disciple Rajeev Taranath on the sarod. He and Shaji then composed the visuals on the basis of the musical notations. A consummate master of his craft, Shaji also cranked the camera for films helmed by other noted Malayali filmmakers like K.G. George (Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback and Panchavadi Palam), MT Vasudevan Nair (Manju) and P. Padmarajan (Koodevide? and Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil), starring Mammootty and Suhasini in her Malayalam debut, and Lenin Rajendran (Meenamasathile Sooryan). Shaji went on to work with both actors after he turned director, with Mammootty heading the cast of Kutty Srank and Suhasini playing a key role in Vanaprastham, which starred Mohanlal as the male lead. Shaji also shot a couple of Hindi films, Ek Chadar Maili Si (1986) and Antim Nyay (1993), both directed by Sukhwant Dhadda, who subsequently produced the only Hindi film that Shaji directed, Nishad, starring Rajit Kapur and Archana. One of the most ambitious films of Shaji's career never got made due to budget constraints — Gaadha, an international co-production based on a T. Padmanabhan short story. The film was to star Mohanlal. In his director's statement for still-born Gaadha, Shaji wrote: 'Music is a miracle, where enchantments attain silence. Such mystery is also an important sensation to understand the beauty of human life. We miss such kind films in our time.' He added: 'For the first time in Indian film history, this film will explore Indian classical music intermingling with western opera and symphony.' Gaadha was in the works for several years before it was abandoned. It would have been his magnum opus, the crowning glory of an illustrious career that deserved another global breakthrough to round it off. That was not to be, but even if Shaji had not made anything after Vanaprastham, the benchmark he set with his first three films would have assured him immortality. The writer is an award-winning Indian film critic.
