The Cultural Lexicon of Malayalam Cinema: Regional Identity, Social Realism, and the Evolution of the “Middle Cinema”

The first Malayalam film, , was released in 1938, marking the beginning of Malayalam cinema. The film, directed by S. Nottan, was a critical success and paved the way for future filmmakers. In the 1950s and 1960s, Malayalam cinema saw a surge in socially relevant films, tackling issues like poverty, inequality, and social injustice. This period also saw the emergence of legendary filmmakers like G. R. Rao and P. A. Thomas .

, known as the "father of Malayalam cinema," produced the first silent film, Vigathakumaran , in 1928. The first talkie, , followed in 1938.