Jijo Punnoose

• Name — Jijo Punnoose • Birthplace — Alappuzha, India • Occupation — Actor Film director • Years Active — 1962 – Present Jijo Punnoose is an Indian film director, producer and actor from Kerala. He is best known for directing the two landmark films in Malayalam cinemaPadayottam (1982) and My Dear Kuttichathan (1984). Jijo directed Padayottam, the first 70 mm film of South Indian cinema, and My Dear Kuttichathan is the first 3D film in India. He is the son of Navodaya Appachan of Navodaya Studios.

Jijo was born as the eldest son of producer Navodaya Appachan, in a Syro Malabar Catholic family in Alappuzha, Kerala. He hails from the Maliampurakal family, which is credited with owning the first film studio in Kerala, Udaya Studios; considered the ancestral home of the Malayalam film industry. His great-grandfather, M. M. Chacko, started the first boat service in Kuttanadu. He is the nephew of legendary film producer Kunchacko, who established Udaya Studios. Jijo is a relative of Kunchacko Boban, an Indian actor and film producer.

Padayottam was a wide canvas film produced by Navodaya Appachan. The story was inspired from the novel The Count of Monte Cristo. It was the first 70 mm film in South Indian cinema. In 1984, he directed My Dear Kuttichathan, India's first 3D film.

• Year — Title — Actor — Director — Notes • 1962 — Bharya • 1965 — Inapraavugal • 1966 — Thilothama • 1970 — Pearl View • 1980 — Theekkadal — Assistant director • 1982 — Padayottam • 1984 — My Dear Kuttichathan • 1991 — Bible Ki Kahaniya — Creative director; TV serial • 2024 — Barroz: Guardian of D'Gama's Treasure — Screenplay