Navodaya Studio is a film production studio in the Malayalam language film industry of India. It was established in 1976 by Maliampurackal Chacko Punnoose, who is also known by the name Navodaya Appachan. The filming studio is located in Kakkanad, Kochi.
The studio was founded by Apachan in 1976, after he parted ways with his brother Kunchacko's Udaya Studio. The first film Kadathanattu Makkam produced by Navodaya studio was directed by Appachan himself. The second film Thacholi Ambu was the first cinemascope film in South India. It was followed by Padayottam, which was the first 70mm picture in India. The post production work of Sholay, the first 70 mm production in India was done in the United Kingdom. But for Padayottam, the works were done at Prasad Labs, Kerala. In 1982, India's first 3D film, My Dear Kuttichathan was released. Apart from these landmark films, Navodaya also produced numerous hit films in Malayalam including Manjil Virinja Pookkal, Ramji Rao Speaking, Chanakyan, Godfather and Manichithrathazhu.
The studio was later renovated in 2000’s welcoming the needs of the television industry. Appachan's sons Jijo Punnoose and Jose Punnoose has taken over the functioning. Appachan, along with the Navodaya Studios, was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award in 2011.[1]