Popular cinematographer Shaji Kumar passes away

KOCHI Noted cinematographer Shaji Kumar, 57, who cranked the camera for popular movies including Thudarum and Pulimurugan, died in Kochi on early Tuesday (November 10, 2026) morning. The death occurred around 12.36 a.m. following cardiac failure, according to private hospital authorities in Kochi. Representatives of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Directors’ Union said that he experienced uneasiness at his place of stay in Alappuzha after returning from the location of a new movie featuring actor Dileep on Saturday night (November 7, 2026).

He was rushed to a nearby hospital and later shifted to Kochi. His condition worsened around Monday midnight (November 8, 2026). A native of Thiruvananthapuram, he has been staying in Perumbavoor, Ernakulam for a long time. He is survived by his wife, Smitha, and children, Aryan and Sooryan, they said.

Popular among filmmakers for his excellence in capturing mass action scenes, he had worked in nearly 50 movies in a career spanning over two decades. He had worked with leading movie directors.