Kochi: After years of working behind the scenes as a film project designer and appearing in front of the camera as an actor, filmmaker Shaji AJohn is now stepping into the spotlight as a director with his experimental feature film Lokamani Sivaraj Ponmakal.
Known in Malayalam cinema circles for his contributions to award-winning films and documentaries, Shaji’s latest venture has been drawing attention for its unconventional storytelling approach and socially relevant subject matter.
Over the years, Shaji AJohn has been associated with several acclaimed Malayalam productions. He worked and acted in the National and State Award-winning film Aalorukkam and was also involved in as actor and Project designer for the movie Vettapattikal Ottakaarum, which was showcased at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in 2022. The filmmaker has also appeared in acting roles, gaining experience on both sides of the camera.
Beyond feature films, Shaji Ajohnhas built a reputation in the documentary space. His documentary “Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers” received recognition at both national and international platforms and earned him the Best Documentary Director award at the Kohinoor Film Festival in Mumbai.
His latest directorial venture, Lokamani Sivaraj Ponmakal, has already begun attracting festival attention. The film won recognition for Best Experimental Film Director at the Nawada International Film Festival , India and was also selected for the Experimental Film Festival organized by Tirur Malayalam University as well as IEFFK Kozhikode 2026.
Shaji Ajohn’s creative journey began in the digital media sector during the early growth phase of online journalism in Kerala. His work in digital content creation earned him several accolades, including recognition from the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and the Vayalar Award in 2011. He was also honoured as Best Digital Content Creator during IFFK 2011 for metromatinee
At the heart of Lokamani Sivaraj Ponmakal is a story that explores media ethics in the age of digital journalism. The film follows an ambitious online journalist who discovers a potentially career-defining story involving a tribal girl’s dream of winning a beauty pageant in Kerala. However, when his editor pressures him to exploit her personal life for higher viewership, he is forced to choose between professional success and moral responsibility.
What sets the film apart is its narrative style. The entire story unfolds through the perspective of a cameraman, placing viewers directly inside the events rather than positioning them as passive observers. The experimental visual approach attempts to blur the line between audience and participant, offering a fresh cinematic experience.
Among Shaji’s notable achievements as a project designer is Krishnashtami – the Book of Dry leaves , which was selected for the 48th Moscow International Film Festival. Earlier, Vettapattikal Ottakaarum, another project he was associated with, was also screened at Vesoul international film festival,France , further strengthening his profile within independent cinema circles.
Drawing from his experience across digital media, documentary filmmaking, acting, and project design, Shaji AJohn’s transition to directing appears to be a natural progression. With its distinctive visual language and exploration of ethical dilemmas in modern journalism, Lokamani Sivaraj Ponmakal is being viewed as an ambitious addition to the growing landscape of experimental Malayalam cinema.
Meanwhile, Shaji AJohn is also Directing on another feature project, “Garuda Kalpa”, starring actors Binu Pappu and Femina in lead roles, which is currently in the final stages of completion.
