Shaji Kumar passes away at 57: Jeethu Joseph, Dileep, Joju George pay tributes
Synopsis
Malayalam cinema lost one of its most celebrated cinematographers on Monday when Shaji Kumar died at 57 in Kochi, days after collapsing on a film set in Alappuzha. With over 50 films to his name and two major unreleased projects still in the pipeline, his sudden death leaves an unmistakable void in the industry.
Key Takeaways
Veteran cinematographer Shaji Kumar passed away on 10 November 2026 at a private hospital in Kochi ; he was 57 .
He reportedly collapsed on a film set in Alappuzha a few days before his death.
Kumar had worked on over 50 Malayalam films , including blockbusters 'Pulimurugan' , 'Thudarum' , and 'Odiyan' .
Director Jeethu Joseph and actors Dileep , Joju George , and Sshivada paid tributes on social media.
Two upcoming films — 'Athimanoharam' (Mohanlal) and 'Ottakomban' (Suresh Gopi) — carry his cinematography and are yet to release.
Veteran Malayalam cinematographer Shaji Kumar passed away on Monday, 10 November 2026, at a private hospital in Kochi, sending shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry. He was 57. Known for his work on some of the biggest blockbusters in Malayalam cinema — including Mohanlal's 'Pulimurugan' and 'Thudarum' — Kumar's sudden death has left the industry in deep mourning.
What Happened
According to reports, Shaji Kumar collapsed on a film set in Alappuzha a couple of days before his death. He was initially treated at the location and subsequently shifted to a private hospital in Kochi, where his condition reportedly improved briefly. However, his health deteriorated thereafter, and he passed away on Monday. He was reportedly in the midst of shooting a film featuring actor Dileep in the lead role at the time of his demise.
Tributes From the Film Industry
Director Jeethu Joseph, known for the blockbuster 'Drishyam' franchise, took to his social media timelines to mourn the loss. He wrote, 'Tributes to dear Shaji... May his soul rest in peace.' Actor Sshivada posted a heartfelt tribute, saying, 'Shaji Cheta, Never in my wildest thoughts did I imagine I would be writing something like this. We may not have worked together, or met often, but the warmth and bond we shared will always remain close to my heart. You were someone I knew was just a call away. I always loved updating you about every little step of my journey in cinema whenever we met. I'm honestly short of words… Pranams. Om Shanti.'
Actor Joju George expressed his grief on his Instagram page, writing, 'Shaji Chetta.' Actor Dileep, in a tribute written in Malayalam, offered his salutations to the cinematographer, calling him a dear brother. Well-known producer Listen Stephen also condoled the death, writing in Malayalam, 'Famous cameraman Shaji Kumar passed away. RIP, Rest in peace.'
A Career Spanning Over 50 Films
Shaji Kumar began his career in Malayalam cinema with 'Uthaman', featuring actor Jayaram in the lead role. Over the course of his career, he went on to work in over 50 films, many of which became superhits or blockbusters. His notable filmography includes 'Pulimurugan', 'Thudarum', 'Odiyan', 'Pathonpatham Noottandu', and 'Ramaleela'.
Unreleased Projects and What Comes Next
Among the most eagerly awaited Malayalam releases are director Tharun Moorthy's 'Athimanoharam', featuring Mohanlal in the lead, and director Mathews Thomas's 'Ottakomban', featuring Suresh Gopi in the lead — both of which carry cinematography by Shaji Kumar. The fate of the production featuring Dileep, which Kumar was shooting at the time of his death, remains unclear. His passing leaves a significant creative void in Malayalam cinema at a moment when multiple high-profile projects bearing his work are yet to reach audiences.
Point of View
But it also throws a spotlight on onset safety and health protocols that the Malayalam industry, like Bollywood before it, has been slow to institutionalise. His unreleased work on 'Athimanoharam' and 'Ottakomban' will now carry an added weight when those films finally reach audiences.
NationPress
10 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Shaji Kumar and why was he significant to Malayalam cinema?
Shaji Kumar was a veteran Malayalam cinematographer who worked on over 50 films across a career spanning several decades. He was best known for his visually striking work on blockbusters such as 'Pulimurugan', 'Thudarum', 'Odiyan', and 'Ramaleela', making him one of the most sought-after DPs in the industry.
How did Shaji Kumar die?
According to reports, Shaji Kumar collapsed on a film set in Alappuzha a couple of days before his death. He was shifted to a private hospital in Kochi, where his condition reportedly stabilised briefly before deteriorating; he passed away on Monday, 10 November 2026, at the age of 57.
Which upcoming films feature Shaji Kumar's cinematography?
Two high-profile Malayalam productions carry his cinematography: director Tharun Moorthy's 'Athimanoharam', featuring Mohanlal, and director Mathews Thomas's 'Ottakomban', featuring Suresh Gopi. Both films are yet to be released.
What tributes have been paid to Shaji Kumar?
Director Jeethu Joseph, actors Dileep, Joju George, and Sshivada, as well as producer Listen Stephen, all paid tributes on social media. Dileep called him a dear brother in Malayalam, while Sshivada wrote a personal tribute recalling the warmth of their bond.
What was Shaji Kumar working on at the time of his death?
Shaji Kumar was reportedly working on a film featuring actor Dileep in the lead role at the time of his death. He had also completed cinematography on two other anticipated releases — 'Athimanoharam' and 'Ottakomban' — which are currently in post-production or awaiting release.
