Veteran Malayalam Art Director K Shekhar Passes Away at 72

Veteran Malayalam cinema art director K Shekhar passed away at the age of 72 at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram, his family confirmed on Sunday.

Widely regarded as one of the most imaginative technical minds in Indian cinema, Shekhar leaves behind a legacy marked by innovation, craftsmanship, and path-breaking visual design.

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Veteran Malayalam Art Director K Shekhar Passes Away at 72

Pioneer of Practical Visual Innovation

K Shekhar is best remembered for designing the iconic anti-gravity room in India’s first 3D children’s fantasy film My Dear Kuttichathan.

• Featured in the song “Aalippazham Perukkaan”
• Created without computers or digital effects
• Built on a rotating steel rig
• Used lightweight styrofoam props

The technique created the illusion of actors walking on walls and ceilings, decades before CGI became mainstream.

Far Ahead of His Time

The anti-gravity concept was inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick.

Remarkably:

• Shekhar executed the concept 26 years before Inception
• Christopher Nolan later used similar rotating-set techniques
• Shekhar achieved it entirely through practical effects

Today, such rotating sets are standard in global cinema.

Career Beginnings and Filmography

Shekhar entered Malayalam cinema in 1982 with Padayottam, directed by Jijo Punnoose.

Notable works include:

• Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
• Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare

He earned widespread respect for his unconventional and engineering-driven visual thinking.

Enduring Influence on New-Age Filmmakers

Filmmaker Basil Joseph has publicly acknowledged the influence of My Dear Kuttichathan, stating that its sense of wonder inspired his work, including Minnal Murali.

Shekhar’s work continues to inspire filmmakers by proving that imagination and engineering can rival digital technology.

Exam-Oriented Key Facts

• My Dear Kuttichathan was India’s first 3D feature film
• Released in 1984
• Anti-gravity scene created using rotating sets
• No CGI or computer graphics used
• Inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s filmmaking techniques

Question & Answer

Q1. Who designed the iconic anti-gravity room in the film My Dear Kuttichathan?
(a) Jijo Punnoose
(b) K Shekhar
(c) Basil Joseph
(d) Santosh Sivan
Answer: K Shekhar

Q2. My Dear Kuttichathan is significant in Indian cinema because it was India’s first what?
(a) Animated film
(b) Science fiction film
(c) 3D feature film
(d) IMAX film
Answer: 3D feature film

Q3. The anti-gravity effect in My Dear Kuttichathan was achieved using which technique?
(a) Green screen
(b) Motion capture
(c) Rotating sets
(d) Computer animation
Answer: Rotating sets

Q4. Which filmmaker pioneered the rotating set technique that inspired K Shekhar?
(a) Steven Spielberg
(b) James Cameron
(c) Stanley Kubrick
(d) Ridley Scott
Answer: Stanley Kubrick

Q5. Which modern Malayalam filmmaker cited My Dear Kuttichathan as an inspiration?
(a) Lijo Jose Pellissery
(b) Basil Joseph
(c) Vineeth Sreenivasan
(d) Aashiq Abu
Answer: Basil Joseph

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