Malayalam cinema was born in 1928 with the release of the first Malayalam film, "Balan." Directed by S. Nottanandan, the film marked the beginning of a new era in Kerala's entertainment industry. The early days of Malayalam cinema were marked by a strong influence from traditional theater and literature. Many films were adaptations of classic Malayalam novels and plays, such as "Nirmala" (1938) and "Savitri" (1941).