Kochi:
Noted Malayalam filmmaker 'Navodaya' Appachan, who is credited with producing the first 3-D movie in India, 'My Dear Kuttichathan', died in Kochi on Monday.
Mr Appachan, 87, under cancer treatment for the past 10 years, was admitted to a private hospital on April 17 following old-age illness, hospital sources said.
He developed some uneasiness early today and was moved to the intensive care unit and died in the evening, sources said. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
As a producer and director, Mr Appachan took bold steps and made several experiments in Malayalam cinema by producing the first 3-D cinema and Cinemascope several years ago.
The Kerala government honoured him this year by conferring the JC Daniel award for his outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema.
'My Dear Kuttichathan', released in 1984, was later made in Hindi as 'Chota Chetan'. He was the founder of the Navodaya Studio and also 'Kishkinta', claimed to be India's first amusement park, in Chennai.
The first cinemascope film, Prem Nazir-starrer 'Thacholiambu', and the first 70-mm film 'Padayottom', were also his contributions to the film world.
His involvement with the film industry began with his brother Kunchako at Udaya Studio in Alappuzha, his birth place.
Mr Appachan was also instrumental in launching several actors in Malayalam cinema, particularly superstar Mr Mohanlal, who received rave reviews for his role as villain in the 1980 blockbuster 'Manjil Virinja Pookkal'. The film was Mr Mohanlal's first release and from then on it was a steady climb to superstardom for the popular actor.