Sufiyum Sujathayum director Naranipuzha Shanavas passes away!
Malayalam filmmaker Naranipuzha Shanavas has passed away. He has directed two films — ‘Kari’ and the Jayasurya-Aditi Rao starrer ‘Sufiyum Sujathayum’. Shanavas working on his new film at Attapadi in Kerala when he suffered a a cardiogenic shock, a severe condition which usually occurs after a strong heart attack. He was rushed to KG Hospital in Coimbatore where he was on ventilator support. On Wednesday morning, doctors declared him brain dead.
By evening, his family and crew decided to shift him to Aster Medicity in Kochi for a second opinion. They left Coimbatore around 5.30 PM. Police officials, who provided a green corridor, appealed to the public on the Coimbatore-Kochi route to co-operate, because the family wanted to transport him in double quick time. He was transported in a ventilator supported ambulance. However, all the efforts went in vain as the 40-year-old breathed his last by night around 10 PM.
Shanavas started his career in cinema as an editor. Later, he turned to direction through short films. His directorial debut ‘Karie’ was noted for showcasing the deep-rooted caste system in Kerala. The film explored the intricacies and power equations in the grim caste system in the form of the dialects and subtle language nuances influenced by caste. The film found critical appreciation.
‘Sufiyum Sujathayum’ was Shanavas’ first mainstream attempt. It is a romantic film centered around the relationship between a mute Hindu girl and a Sufi artist. The film’s release made a lot of noise as it became the first Malayalam film to get a direct OTT release.
