The history of Malayalam cinema dates back to the 1920s, when the first film, Balan , was released in 1938. However, it was not until the 1950s and 1960s that Malayalam cinema began to gain momentum. The early years of Malayalam cinema were marked by a focus on mythological and historical dramas, which were popular in other Indian film industries. However, as the industry grew, filmmakers began to explore more contemporary themes and stories that reflected the social and cultural realities of Kerala.