Navodaya Appachan

• Name — Navodaya Appachan • Birth Name — M. C. Punnoose • Born — 11 January 1924 • Birthplace — Pulinkunnoo, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India • Died — 23 April 2012 • Place of death — Kochi, India • Occupation — Film producer, film director • Relatives — Jijo Punnoose (son) Kunchacko (brother) Boban Kunchacko (nephew) Kunchacko Boban (grand-nephew) • Awards — J. C. Daniel Award (2010)

Appachan was born, as M. C. Punnoose to M. M. Chacko, son of Mani of the Maliampurackal family, at Pulinkunnoo, and was an alumnus of St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai. His brother, Kunchacko established the first film studio in Kerala, Udaya Studios. His nephew, Boban Kunchacko, was also an actor, director, and producer who was part of a few films produced by Udaya. His grandnephew, Kunchacko Boban is also a Malayalam film actor. Appachan is married to Baby Punnoose and have two sons Jijo and Jose, and a daughter, Jiss Punnoose.

Appachan first became involved in the film industry with his brother Kunchacko, at Udaya Studio, and later founded of Navodaya Studio. He produced Manjil Virinja Pookkal and My Dear Kuttichathan. The latter was, directed by his son, Jijo Punnoose and was the first 3D movie made in India and released as Chota Chetan in Hindi. Appachan directed Thacholi Ambu, which was the first Cinemascope film in Malayalam. He also directed Padayottam, which was the first indigenously shot 70mm movie in South India, was produced by him. He created Bible Ki Kahaniyan on Doordarshan. He founded Kishkinta, India's first theme park, in Chennai. He was given the 2011 J. C. Daniel Award for contributions to Malayalam cinema.

Appachan died of cancer aged 88 on 23 April 2012 at Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi.

• Year — Title — Director — Producer — Notes • 1978 — Thacholi Ambu • 1978 — Kadathanaattu Maakkam • 1979 — Maamaankam • 1980 — Manjil Virinja Pookkal — Debut of Mohanlal and debut of Jerry Amaldev as music director in films • 1980 — Theekkadal • 1982 — Padayottam — First 70 mm film in India • 1983 — Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku • 1984 — My Dear Kuttichathan — India's first 3-D film. • 1986 — Onnu Muthal Poojaym Vare — Debut of Raghunath Paleri as director and debut of Geetu Mohandas • 1989 — Chanakyan — Debut of T.K. Rajeevkumar as director • 1993 — Bible ki Kahaaniyan (For TV) — Television series • 2003 — Magic Magic 3D