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Shaji Ajohn, also known as Shaji A John and KJ Shaji, is an Indian filmmaker, actor and digital entrepreneur associated with Malayalam cinema.[1] He is known for playing Raja in the National Award–winning film Aalorukkam (2018) and for directing the documentary Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers.[2][3] He is the founder of Metromatinee, an online cinema and entertainment platform.[4]
Shaji AJohn | |
|---|---|
 Shaji AJohn in 2025 | |
| Born | Shaji AJohn Thrikkanamangal, Kottarakkara, Kerala, India |
| Other names | Shaji A John; KJ Shaji |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2014–present |
| Known for | Aalorukkam; Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers |
Early life and digital media
editShaji AJohn was born and raised in Thrikkanamangal, Kottarakkara, Kerala. He began his career in digital media, and by 2014 was chief executive of a Technopark-incubated firm that operated the online entertainment platform Metromatinee.[4]
In 2014 the company ran a corporate social responsibility project called "One-minute movie", producing one-minute animated short films on social issues and circulating them on social media through the Metromatinee platform. The project's films included Precious, on water conservation, and Foodball, on food, alongside Careful.[4] Careful, a one-minute animated film on the effects of alcoholism, was conceived by Ibrahim Badusha, directed by Manoj Kumar and produced by Shaji, and was launched in July 2014 by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy together with Excise Minister K. Babu.[5][4]
Film career
editActing
editShaji 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 supporting role.[1] Reviewers noted his performance among the film's supporting cast.[2][6] 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.[6]
Directing
editFilmography
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 Sreekumar, Priya (21 April 2018). "A role fit for the Raja". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Aalorukkam movie review: Avoiding stereotypes". Deccan Chronicle. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 തെന്മല അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ചലച്ചിത്രോത്സവത്തിലേക്ക് തിരുവരംഗര് ദി ഡീയിറ്റി സിംഗേഴ്സ് [Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers to attend Thenmala International Film Festival]. Deepika (in Malayalam). 24 February 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "One-minute-long messages". The New Indian Express. Thiruvananthapuram. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ "CM launches short film". The New Indian Express. Thiruvananthapuram. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Indrans' outstanding performance makes 'Aalorukkam' memorable". Onmanorama. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
External links
edit- Metromatinee – online cinema and entertainment platform founded by the subject