Malayalam cinema began its journey in the 1920s with the release of the first Malayalam film, "Balan," in 1930. The early years saw a mix of mythological and social dramas, with films like "Nirmala" (1938) and "Sneham" (1940). The 1950s and 1960s witnessed the emergence of notable directors like G.R. Rao and Kunchacko, who made significant contributions to the growth of Malayalam cinema.