Malayalam cinema began in the 1920s, with the release of the first Malayalam film, Balan , in 1928. However, it wasn't until the 1950s and 1960s that the industry started to gain momentum, with films like Nokketha Doorathu Kannum Nattu (1953) and Chemmeen (1965). These early films showcased the struggles and aspirations of the common man, as well as the state's rich cultural traditions.