Shaji Ajohn
Shaji Ajohn, also known as Shaji A John and KJ Shaji, is an Indian filmmaker, actor and digital entrepreneur associated with Malayalam cinema. He is known for playing Raja in the National Award–winning film Aalorukkam (2018) and for directing the documentary Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers. He is the founder of Metromatinee, an online cinema and entertainment platform.
Early life and digital media
Shaji 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.
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. 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.
Acting
Shaji had appeared in minor roles before being cast in Aalorukkam (2018), the directorial debut of V. C. Abhilash. Originally approached to play a lorry driver, he was instead cast as Raja, the husband of a transgender character, in a supporting role. Reviewers noted his performance among the film's supporting cast. 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.
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. The documentary was selected for the Thenmala International Film Festival.
As actor
- Aalorukkam (2018) as Raja
As writer and director
- Thiruvarangar – The Deity Singers (2025, documentary)
External links
- Metromatinee – online cinema and entertainment platform founded by the subject