The brilliant and visionary filmmaker Shahji Karun created his own Gone With the Wind with Piravi (1989). If he had directed no other film after that haunting debut, he would still be considered a master of Indian cinema. Though he went on to make six more films — all in his native language Malayalam — none achieved the same critical or emotional impact as Piravi.
Shahji Karun’s unfulfilled promise: The film that never came
At one point, Jaya Bachchan expressed keen interest in remaking Piravi in Hindi, with herself in the role originally played by Archana. However, Shahji Karun wasn’t inclined toward a remake.
When I recently asked Shahji Karun why he had directed only seven films in a span of thirty-three years, he offered a deeply introspective explanation. “Yes, seven films so far as a director. My last directorial Oolu was made in 2018 and released in 2019. But I can’t rush into a new film just because I have to. Making films is a meditation for me. The inspiration has to come from within — it cannot be forced.”
He also revealed that his creative energies have been directed elsewhere in recent years. “Now, additionally, I have a big responsibility as the Chairperson of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation. I must ensure the all-round development and upliftment of the Malayalam film industry. Once the problems are addressed, I will move on and let others implement my ideas. But for now, I am totally immersed in this job.”
Shahji added that the COVID-19 pandemic delayed everything by at least two years. “I have two films in hand, but I requested the Chief Minister of Kerala for this assignment to upgrade cinema in the state — and that comes first. Once the developmental process begins, I’ll return to filmmaking. This time, I promise you there won’t be a five-year gap.”
Tragically, Shahji Karun’s promise of another film remains unfulfilled — a loss for cinema lovers who still await the next meditation from one of India’s most thoughtful auteurs.
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