Shaji Kumar death: Kayadu Lohar, Siju Wilson pay tribute to Malayalam cinematographer
Synopsis
Veteran Malayalam cinematographer Shaji Kumar, 57, died in Kochi on 10 November after collapsing on a film set in Alappuzha. His passing has left behind a legacy of over 50 films — including blockbusters like 'Pulimurugan' and 'Ramaleela' — with two major unreleased films, featuring Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi, now serving as his final work.
Key Takeaways
Cinematographer Shaji Kumar passed away on 10 November 2026 at a private hospital in Kochi .
Actress Kayadu Lohar paid tribute on Instagram , calling it “an honour” to have worked with him on 'Pathonpathaam Noottandu' .
Actor Siju Wilson described Kumar as “a true master of his craft” and remembered him as “one of the most genuine, warm, and pure-hearted souls” in the industry.
Kumar reportedly collapsed on a film set in Alappuzha days before his death; he was being treated at a Kochi hospital when he died.
He had worked on more than 50 films , including 'Pulimurugan' , 'Odiyan' , and 'Ramaleela' .
His final projects include 'Athimanoharam' (featuring Mohanlal ) and 'Ottakomban' (featuring Suresh Gopi ), both yet to release.
Actress Kayadu Lohar has paid a heartfelt tribute to late cinematographer Shaji Kumar, who passed away on Monday, 10 November 2026, at a private hospital in Kochi at the age of 57. Lohar, who worked with Kumar on the period action drama 'Pathonpathaam Noottandu', described the experience as an honour that she will cherish throughout her career.
Kayadu Lohar's Tribute
Taking to her Instagram page, Lohar posted a personal note remembering the veteran lensman. “...It was an honour to have worked with him early in my journey. The experience and the memory will always remain close to my heart. His vision, his craft and the beautiful body of work he leaves behind will continue to be celebrated. Rest in peace,” she wrote.
Lohar emphasised that Kumar's artistic legacy — built over a career spanning more than 50 films — would endure long beyond his passing.
Siju Wilson Recalls 'A True Master'
Actor Siju Wilson, who played the lead in 'Pathonpathaam Noottandu', also mourned the cinematographer's sudden death. In a condolence post shared on Monday, Wilson described Kumar as “a true master of his craft.”
“Heartbroken by the sudden passing of Shaji chettan. Working alongside him on 'Pathonpathaam Noottandu' is an experience I will always hold close to my heart,” Wilson wrote. He added, “Beyond his extraordinary vision and mastery behind the lens, he was one of the most genuine, warm, and pure-hearted souls in our industry. Every day on set was filled with shared laughter, positivity, and a beautiful bond of friendship.”
Wilson concluded: “We have lost a true master of his craft and, above all, an exceptional human being. Rest in peace, Shaji chetta. Your presence will be deeply missed. My heartfelt condolences to his entire family during this painful time.”
How Shaji Kumar Passed Away
According to reports, Kumar collapsed on a film set in Alappuzha a couple of days before his death. He was administered treatment on-site and subsequently shifted to a private hospital in Kochi, where his condition reportedly improved briefly before deteriorating. He passed away on Monday at the age of 57.
At the time of his passing, Kumar was reportedly working on a film featuring actor Dileep in the lead role, making the loss all the more unexpected for the Malayalam film industry.
A Career of Landmark Films
Shaji Kumar began his journey in Malayalam cinema with 'Uthaman', featuring actor Jayaram in the lead. Over a career spanning more than 50 films, he lent his lens to some of the industry's biggest commercial successes, including 'Pulimurugan', 'Thudarum', 'Odiyan', 'Ramaleela', and 'Pathonpathaam Noottandu'.
Two of 2026's most highly anticipated Malayalam releases — director Tharun Moorthy's 'Athimanoharam' featuring Mohanlal, and director Mathews Thomas's 'Ottakomban' featuring Suresh Gopi — carry his cinematography, ensuring that audiences will continue to experience his work posthumously.
Industry in Mourning
The sudden passing of Kumar has sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry, with actors, directors, and technicians expressing grief across social media. His death marks the loss of one of the most commercially successful and critically respected cinematographers of his generation. The release of 'Athimanoharam' and 'Ottakomban' will now serve as a final testament to his enduring vision.
Point of View
It is cinematographers like Kumar — whose lens shaped the visual identity of blockbusters like 'Pulimurugan' — who define what Malayalam cinema looks and feels like. The fact that two major unreleased films carry his work adds a bittersweet dimension: audiences will witness his craft without knowing what might have come next. The industry's outpouring of grief, from co-stars to directors, reflects not just personal loss but the recognition that his calibre of technical artistry is genuinely rare.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did cinematographer Shaji Kumar die?
Shaji Kumar passed away on 10 November 2026 at a private hospital in Kochi. He had reportedly collapsed on a film set in Alappuzha a couple of days earlier; though his condition appeared to improve briefly after hospitalisation, it subsequently deteriorated and he died at the age of 57.
Which films did Shaji Kumar work on?
Shaji Kumar worked on more than 50 films across his career, including 'Pulimurugan', 'Thudarum', 'Odiyan', 'Ramaleela', and 'Pathonpathaam Noottandu'. He began his career with 'Uthaman', featuring Jayaram. His final projects, 'Athimanoharam' (Mohanlal) and 'Ottakomban' (Suresh Gopi), are yet to release.
What did Kayadu Lohar say about Shaji Kumar?
Kayadu Lohar posted a tribute on Instagram, writing that it was 'an honour to have worked with him early in my journey' and that the experience would 'always remain close to my heart'. She also praised his vision, craft, and the body of work he leaves behind.
What did Siju Wilson say about Shaji Kumar?
Actor Siju Wilson called Kumar 'a true master of his craft' and 'an exceptional human being', recalling their time together on 'Pathonpathaam Noottandu' as filled with 'shared laughter, positivity, and a beautiful bond of friendship'. He extended condolences to Kumar's family.
What was Shaji Kumar working on at the time of his death?
At the time of his passing, Shaji Kumar was reportedly working on a film featuring actor Dileep in the lead role. He had also completed cinematography on 'Athimanoharam' (directed by Tharun Moorthy, starring Mohanlal) and 'Ottakomban' (directed by Mathews Thomas, starring Suresh Gopi), both among the most anticipated Malayalam releases of 2026.
