Kochukrishnan's paternal ancestors were involved in the construction works of many palaces and stately mansions in Travancore built during the latter half of the nineteenth century.

His first work was in Vimal Kumar's Achanum Makanum in the year 1957, followed by Ummini Thanka in 1961 and Velu Thambi Dalawa in 1962.

During the 1960s-70s, Kalanilayam revolutionised Malayalam theatre, with its dramas like Raktharakshass, Kayamkulam Kochunni, Kadamattathu Kathanar, Iravikkodu Pillai, Naradan Keralathil, Taj Mahal, Sree Guruvayoorappan and Alavudinum Athbhuthavilakkum,[2] all simultaneously with his illustrious career in films.

He was closely associated with directors such as K. G. George and Padmarajan; starting a drama school with the former in the 1980s and appearing in cameo roles in the later's films such as Moonnam Pakkam and Desatanakkili Karayarilla.

[6][7] Kochukrishnan penned story, screenplay and dialogues for more than 33 Malayalam movies[8] and [5] also experimental films such as Sexilla Stundilla, Paathirapattu etc.