The journey of Malayalam cinema can be divided into three pivotal eras:
The first Malayalam film, "Balan," 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 "Mudiyanaya Puthran" (1951). The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of socially relevant films, known as "parallel cinema," which tackled complex issues like poverty, inequality, and social injustice. The journey of Malayalam cinema can be divided
, focusing on themes like shifting masculinities, social realism, and gender dynamics. Key Academic Papers Laughter-Films and Malayali Masculinities " was released in 1938