The early 20th century saw the birth of Tamil cinema, with the release of the first Tamil film, "Keechaka Vadham," in 1918. Since then, Tamil cinema has grown exponentially, producing some of the most iconic and influential films in Indian cinema. The 1950s and 1960s are often referred to as the "Golden Age" of Tamil cinema, with legendary actors like Rajinikanth, M.G.R., and Sivaji Ganesan dominating the screens.