Lifetime achievement award for Shaji N Karun

Thiruvananthapuram: Renowned filmmaker and cinematographer

Shaji N Karun

has been selected for the lifetime achievement award in connection with the 12th

Jaipur International Film Festival

(

JIFF

).

Karun, who is now the chairman of Kerala state film development corporation, began his career as a cinematographer after graduating from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. His directorial debut ‘Piravi’ won him the prestigious Caméra d'Or – Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. His latest film ‘Olu’ was the opening movie in IFFI Goa, last year.

He bagged national awards for Piravi, Vanaprastham and Kutty Srank. He won state film awards for Piravi, Swaham and Vanaprastham.

As a cinematographer, Karun had won the state award thrice for Kanchana Sita, Esthappan and Oridathu. An active voice in state’s cultural sphere, he is the president of Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, a pro-CPM cultural organization.

The lifetime achievement award category was introduced in the third Jaipur International Film Festival in 2011. Asha Parekh, Jaya Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Rajshri Productions, Dilip Kumar (National), Majid Majidi, Prakash Jha, Ramesh Prasad, Surendra Bohra and Robin Bhatt had won the awards in previous edition.

Karun has been selected for the award for his overall contributions to world cinema.

The award will be presented to him at the inaugural event of JIFF scheduled for January 17.

The Jaipur film festival will be held from January 17 to 20 in Jaipur.