Jijo Punnoose

Jijo Punnoose is an Indian film director, producer and actor from Kerala. He is best known for directing the two landmark films in Malayalam cinema—Padayottam (1982) and My Dear Kuttichathan (1984). Jijo directed Padayottam was the first indigenously shot 70mm film in India, and My Dear Kuttichathan is the first 3D film in India. He is the son of Navodaya Appachan of Navodaya Studios.

Early life and family
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.

Career
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 indigenously shot 70mm film in India. In 1984, he directed My Dear Kuttichathan, India's first 3D film.