Padma Shri awardee and acclaimed director Shaji N. Karun (73) has passed away after battling cancer. He passed away in a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram after a long battle with illness. Shaji gained national and international recognition with his debut film Piravi, which won multiple awards, including the National Film Awards. In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri, and later received the prestigious JC Daniel Award from the Kerala government. Known for his contributions to Malayalam cinema, Shaji's legacy remains influential in Indian filmmaking.