Kochi: Having spent years contributing to cinema as a project designer and actor, filmmaker Shaji AJohn is now taking on a new role as a director with his experimental feature film Lokamani Sivaraj Ponmakal.
Recognized within Malayalam film circles for his involvement in award-winning films and documentaries, Shaji Ajohn’s latest project is attracting attention for its unique narrative style and socially relevant theme.
Over the years, Shaji AJohn has been associated with several notable Malayalam productions. He worked ands acted in the National and State Award-winning film Aalorukkam and was also part of Vettapattikal Ottakaarum as project desiger and actor , which was screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in 2022. Alongside his work behind the camera, he has also appeared in acting roles, gaining valuable experience across different aspects of filmmaking.
Apart from feature films, Shaji Ajohn has established himself in the documentary filmmaking space. His documentary “Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers” received appreciation at both national and international levels and earned him the Best Documentary Director award at the Kohinoor Film Festival in Mumbai.
His latest directorial effort, Lokamani Sivaraj Ponmakal, has already begun making its mark on the festival circuit. The film won the Best Experimental Film Director award at the Nawada International Film Festival and was selected for the Experimental Film Festival conducted by Tirur Malayalam University, as well as IEFFK Kozhikode 2026.
Shaji Ajohn’s professional journey began in digital media during the formative years of online journalism in Kerala. His contributions to digital content creation brought 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 at IFFK 2011.
At the core of Lokamani Sivaraj Ponmakal is a story that examines ethical challenges in the world of digital journalism. The film follows a determined online journalist who comes across a potentially groundbreaking story about a tribal girl aspiring to win a beauty pageant in Kerala. As his editor urges him to sensationalize her personal life to boost audience engagement, he finds himself caught between career ambitions and ethical principles.
What makes the film distinctive is its storytelling technique. The narrative is presented entirely through the perspective of a cameraman, allowing audiences to experience the events from within rather than observing them from a distance. This experimental visual approach seeks to create a more immersive connection between viewers and the story.
Among Shaji Ajohn’s significant 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 showcased at Vesoule international film festivals France , further strengthening his reputation within independent cinema.
Drawing on his experience in digital media, documentary filmmaking, acting, and project design, Shaji AJohn’s move into directing represents a natural extension of his creative career. Through its innovative visual language and exploration of contemporary media ethics, Lokamani Sivaraj Ponmakal is emerging as a noteworthy contribution to the growing world of experimental Malayalam cinema.
Meanwhile, Shaji AJohn is currently directing Garuda Kalpa, a feature film starring Binu Pappu and Femina in the lead roles. The film is in its final stages of production. Among his recent works is The Social Swamy, where he served as the Project Designer.
