Joseph Chellayya Daniel Nadar (25 November 1900 – 27 April 1975) was an Indian filmmaker who is considered the father of Malayalam cinema.

He produced, directed, wrote, photographed, edited and acted in the first film made in Kerala, Vigathakumaran (The Lost Child).

He published an English book titled Indian Art of Fencing and Sword Play in 1915, when he was 15 years old.

He took up the challenge and left for Madras (now Chennai) to learn techniques of film-making and to acquire necessary equipment for the purpose.

[citation needed] However, he was unable to realise his plans in Madras and was even denied entry to various studios in the city.

He was able to obtain entry into film studios in the city, claiming that he is a teacher from Kerala and wanted to teach his students about cinema.

After the announcer explained that some minor problems might occur since this was the first Malayalam movie ever made and screened, the audience welcomed his statement with applause.

Though he applied for pension under the scheme for ailing artists, the Government rejected it since he was born in Tamil Nadu.

He described the story of Vigathakumaran in articles published since 1960, but Kerala Government initially rejected his crusade citing Daniel was not a Malayalee.

However, Gopalakrishnan's campaign was finally successful and Daniel obtained government recognition as a Keralite, being honoured as the Father of Malayalam Cinema.

The film details the struggles of Daniel to produce and exhibit Vigathakumaran, while plunging into financial crisis.

The movie also generated criticism over its subtle reference to an IAS Officer and the then Chief Minister, which purportedly points to the bureaucrat & writer Malayattoor Ramakrishnan and K. Karunakaran, who worked together to deny J. C. Daniel credit for his contribution to Malayalam Cinema since he was a Christian (ref: audio recording of Chelangat Gopalakrishnan produced by Akashawani and published by a TV channel).

Author and civil servant N. S. Madhavan and D. Babu Paul, former Chief Secretary of Kerala have pointed out factual inaccuracies in the film's depiction of Malayattoor and Karunakaran.