The first Malayalam film, "Balan," was released in 1938. However, it was not until the 1950s and 1960s that Malayalam cinema started gaining popularity. The industry was initially influenced by social and literary movements in Kerala, with films often focusing on social issues, politics, and mythology. The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of popular film genres like comedy, drama, and thriller, which continue to dominate the industry today.