The history of Malayalam cinema dates back to the 1920s, when the first silent film, Balan , was released. However, it was in the 1950s and 1960s that Malayalam cinema gained momentum, with films like Nokketha Doorathu Kannum Nattu (1953) and Theekkalakku (1965) setting the tone for a vibrant film industry. These early films showcased the state's agrarian society, its traditions, and the struggles of everyday people.