Shaji AJohn
| Shaji AJohn | |
|---|---|
| File:Shaji Ajohn 2025.jpgShaji Ajohn 2025.jpg Shaji AJohn in 2025 | |
| Born | Shaji AJohn Thrikkanamangal, Kottarakkara, Kerala, India |
| Other names | Shaji A John; KJ Shaji |
| 🏳️ Citizenship | Indian |
| 💼 Occupation |
|
| 📆 Years active | 2011–present |
| 👔 Employer | Metromatinee |
| Known for | Aalorukkam; Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers |
| 🌐 Website | metromatinee |
Shaji Ajohn, also known as Shaji A John and KJ Shaji, is an Indian filmmaker, actor, writer, and project designer associated with Malayalam cinema.[1] He is best known for playing Raja in the National Award–winning film Aalorukkam (2018) and for directing the documentary Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers.[1][2]
He began his career in digital media as the founder of Metromatinee.com, an online cinema and entertainment platform, and has since worked in film production, project design, digital marketing, and filmmaking.
Early life and career
Shaji AJohn was born and raised in Thrikkanamangal, Kottarakkara, Kerala. He began his professional career in digital media and entertainment, founding Metromatinee.com, an online cinema and entertainment platform.
His work in digital content creation received recognition at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in 2011, where he was recognised for Best Digital Content Creator, and he received the Vayalar Award for Best Online Content Creator the same year.
Film career
Acting
Shaji had appeared in minor roles before being cast in Aalorukkam (2018), the directorial debut of V. C. Abhilash.[1] Originally approached to play a lorry driver, he was instead cast as Raja, the husband of a transgender character, in a substantial supporting role.[1][3] The film won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues, and lead actor Indrans won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.[4]
He has appeared in more than fifteen Malayalam films, including Vettapattikalum Ottakkaarum (news anchor), Krishnashtami: The Book of Dry Leaves (police officer), Hashtag Avalkoppam (film director), Achayans (politician), Ann Maria Kalippilaanu (mathematics teacher), Aadu 2 (police officer), 10 Kalpanakal (auto driver), and Pullikaran Stara (school teacher).
Directing
Shaji wrote and directed the musical documentary Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers, which follows Vasu Chami and his brothers, hereditary folk singers from Ottapalam who perform ritual ballads during temple festivals.[2] The documentary won Best Documentary at the Kohinoor Film Festival, Mumbai, in 2025 and was selected at several festivals.[2] He also wrote and directed the feature film Lokamani Selvaraj Ponmakal. His upcoming projects include the feature film Garuda Kalpa and the documentary Lullaby Blue.
Project design
Shaji has worked as a project designer on several Malayalam productions, including Krishnashtami: The Book of Dry Leaves, BabySam, The Social Swamy, and Thami.
Digital media and marketing
Shaji has worked as a digital marketing strategist for more than 180 film projects, including the Kerala marketing campaign for the Malayalam release of Baahubali.
Social initiatives
During 2013–2014, Shaji is said to have produced and designed a one-minute public-awareness short film promoting anti-drug and anti-alcohol awareness, reportedly inaugurated by then Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Filmography
As actor
Shaji's best-documented screen role is in Aalorukkam (2018), in which he played Raja.[1][4]
He is also credited in several other Malayalam films, though these roles are not yet supported by independent sources: Vettapattikalum Ottakkaarum (news anchor), Krishnashtami: The Book of Dry Leaves (police officer), Hashtag Avalkoppam (film director), Achayans (politician), Ann Maria Kalippilaanu (mathematics teacher), Aadu 2 (police officer), BabySam (investigative officer), 10 Kalpanakal (auto driver), Pullikaran Stara (school teacher), School Bus, Aalokam (police officer), Jaivam (laboratory assistant), and Bobby (residents association president).
As writer and director
- Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers (2025, documentary)[2]
- Lokamani Selvaraj Ponmakal (feature film)
- Garuda Kalpa (feature film) upcoming
- Lullaby Blue (documentary) upcoming
As project designer
- Krishnashtami: The Book of Dry Leaves
- BabySam
- The Social Swamy
- Thami
Awards
- Best Digital Content Creator — International Film Festival of Kerala (2011)
- Best Online Content Creator — Vayalar Award (2011)
- Best Documentary — Kohinoor Film Festival, Mumbai (2025), for Thiruvarangar[2]
- Best Experimental Movie Director — Nawada International Film Festival
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Sreekumar, Priya (21 April 2018). "A role fit for the Raja". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 തെന്മല അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ചലച്ചിത്രോത്സവത്തിലേക്ക് തിരുവരംഗര് ദി ഡീയിറ്റി സിംഗേഴ്സ് [Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers to attend Thenmala International Film Festival]. Deepika (in മലയാളം). 24 February 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
- ↑ "Aalorukkam movie review: Avoiding stereotypes". Deccan Chronicle. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Indrans' outstanding performance makes 'Aalorukkam' memorable". Onmanorama. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
External links
- Metromatinee – online cinema and entertainment platform founded by the subject
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