The first Malayalam film, "Balan," was released in 1938. Since then, the industry has grown significantly, producing over 150 films annually. The early years of Malayalam cinema were marked by social dramas and mythological films, which gradually gave way to more realistic and socially conscious films. The 1960s and 1970s saw the emergence of a distinct Kerala film movement, characterized by films that explored the state's culture, politics, and social issues.
