Veteran Malayalam cinematographer Shaji Kumar, known for his work in several blockbusters, including Pulimurugan, Pokkiri Raja and Thudarum, died at a private hospital in Kochi on Tuesday. He was 57.

Shaji fell ill on Sunday while working on an upcoming Dileep film in Alappuzha. He received initial treatment there before being shifted to a hospital in Kochi. Reports said he had been moved out of intensive care when he collapsed on his way to the washroom. He passed away early on Tuesday.

Shaji made his cinematography debut with Uthaman in 2001 and went on to shoot more than 50 films. He regularly collaborated with directors such as Shaji Kailas, Joshiy, Vinayan, and Vysakh. His other notable Malayalam credits include Naran, Odiyan, Pokkiri Raja and its sequel Madhura Raja, Ramaleela, Nasrani and Pathonpatham Noottandu. Among his most significant works was Mohanlal and Vysakh’s Pulimurugan, which became the first Malayalam film to cross the Rs 100-crore mark at the box office. He also worked in Tamil cinema, notably collaborating with actor Prashanth on films such as Ponnar Shankar, Mambattiyan and Saahasam.

Among his final assignments is Athimanoharam, which brought Shaji back together with Mohanlal and filmmaker Tharun Moorthy after the gigantic success of Thudarum. The police procedural drama is scheduled to hit theatres on December 24 as a Christmas release. His other upcoming project is Suresh Gopi's Ottakkomban.

Hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, Shaji had been living in Perumbavoor for several years. He is survived by his wife Smitha, and sons Aryan and Sooryan.