Navodaya Appachan


Maliampurackal Chacko Punnoose, known as Navodaya Appachan, was an Indian film producer, director, and entrepreneur. He was best known for his work in Malayalam cinema, especially as the founder of Navodaya Studio.

Personal life

Appachan was born to M. M. Chacko, son of Mani of the Maliampurackal family, at Pulinkunnoo, and was an alumnus of St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai.

Career

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

Death

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

Filmography

YearTitleDirectorProducerNotes
1978Thacholi Ambu
1978Kadathanaattu Maakkam
1979Maamaankam
1980Manjil Virinja PookkalDebut of Mohanlal and debut of Jerry Amaldev as music director in films
1980Theekkadal
1982PadayottamFirst 70 mm film in India
1983Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku
1984My Dear KuttichathanIndia's first 3-D film.
1986Onnu Muthal Poojaym VareDebut of Raghunath Paleri as director and debut of Geetu Mohandas
1989ChanakyanDebut of T.K. Rajeevkumar as director
1993Bible ki Kahaaniyan Television series
2003Magic Magic 3D

Awards