The first Malayalam film, , was released in 1938, marking the beginning of the industry. However, it wasn't until the 1950s and 1960s that Malayalam cinema gained momentum, with films like Nirmala (1938) and Sneham (1959) becoming huge successes. These early films were primarily based on social issues, folklore, and literary works.
Malayalam cinema, often called "Mollywood," is a unique and influential part of the Indian cinema The first Malayalam film, , was released in