K. K. Mahajan

K. K. Mahajan (2 October 1944 – 13 July 2007) was an Indian cinematographer who was known for his work in Parallel Cinema. In a career that spanned over four decades, he won four National Film Awards. He was best known for his work with filmmakers such as Kumar Shahani, Mani Kaul, Basu Chatterjee and Mrinal Sen.

Starting his career in the late 1960s, Mahajan worked simultaneously in parallel and mainstream films for the next four decades. In all he shot 84 feature films, around 100 commercials and over 20 documentaries and several television serials.

Career Mahajan started his career worked on advertising films, short films and documentaries most notably Shyam Benegal's Child of the Streets (1967), Kumar Shahani's A Certain Childhood (1967), and BD Garga's Amrita Shergil (1968) and Mahabalipuram (1968). Another director he worked extensively with was Basu Chatterjee; they had collaborated in films such as Piya Ka Ghar (1971), Rajnigandha (1974), Chhoti Si Baat (1975), Chitchor (1976), Swami (1977) and Manzil (1979). In 2002, he received the Ezra Mir Award for Lifetime Achievement at the IDPA Awards 2005 of Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA).

His cancer returned in his last months and eventually he died in Mumbai on 13 July 2007.

National Awards 1970 – Best Cinematography for Sara Akash (black-and-white) 1971 – Best Cinematography for Uski Roti (black-and-white) 1973 – Best Cinematography for Maya Darpan (colour) 1974 – Best Cinematography for Chorus (black-and-white)

Filmography

Sara Akash (1969) Bhuvan Shome (1969) Uski Roti (1970) Ichchapuran (1970) Calcutta 71 (1971) Ashadh Ka Ek Din (1971) Maya Darpan (1972) Ek Adhuri Kahani (1972) Piya Ka Ghar (1972) Padatik (1973) Kunwara Badan (1973) Chhalia (1973) Us-Paar (1974) Rajnigandha (1974) Parinay (1974) Doosri Sita (1974) Chorus (1974) Chitchor (1976) Kalicharan (1976) Swami (1977) Oka Oori Katha (1977) Mrigayaa (1977) Mukti (1977) Tumhare Liye (1978) Karmayogi (1978) Dillagi (1978) Chakravyuha (1978) Priyatama (1978) Safed Jhoot (1978) Jeena Yahan (1979) Aaj Ki Dhara (1979) Do Ladke Dono Kadke (1979) Aatish (1979) Manzil (1979) Cinema Cinema (1979) Kasturi (1980) Man Pasand (1980) Apne Paraye (1980) Ek Din Pratidin (1980) Aap To Aise Na The (1980) Waqt Ki Deewar (1981) Sameera (1981) Chaalchitra (1981) Akaler Sandhane (1981) Chehre Pe Chehra (1981) Ramnagari (1982) Aadat Se Majboor (1982) Avtaar (1983) Gehri Chot: Urf - Door-Desh (1983) Kharij (1983) Tarang (1984) Nadaaniyaan (1984) All Rounder (1984) Khandhar (1984) Jawab (1985) Surkhiyaan (1985, The Headlines) Mangal Dada (1986) Ek Pal (1986) Amrit (1986) Sheesha (1986 TV series) Shesh (1988) Khayal Gatha (1989, documentary) Ek Din Achanak (1989) Bhrashtachar (1989) Amba (1990) Kasba (1991) Akayla (1991) Aaj Ki Taaqat (1992) Sahibaan (1993) Pratimurti (1993) Zamaana Deewana (1995) Tunnu Ki Tina (1997) Char Adhyay (1997) Ekti Nadir Naam (2002) Yaar Meri Zindagi (2008)