View source for Malayalam cinema

{{Short description|Branch of Indian cinema}}
{{distinguish|Cinema of Malaysia{{!}}Malay cinema}}
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{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
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{{Infobox cinema market
| name                 = Malayalam cinema
| image                = India film clapperboard (variant).svg
| alt                  = Malayalam movies
| caption              =
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| screens              = 777 screens in [[Kerala]] state of India (2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vinayak |first=A. J. |date=28 September 2022 |title=Why films from the South set the box office on fire |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/data-stories/why-screens-and-seats-count-in-creating-hit-south-indian-movies/article65945389.ece |access-date=8 September 2023 |website=[[The Hindu Business Line]] |language=en |archive-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607224759/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/data-stories/why-screens-and-seats-count-in-creating-hit-south-indian-movies/article65945389.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
| screens_per_capita   =
| based in             = [[Kochi]]<ref name="Kochi sizzling onscreen" /><ref name="Molllywood comes home to Kochi" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 May 2013 |title=Veedu |work=[[Malayala Manorama]] |url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=11528395&tabId=20 |url-status=dead |access-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531112231/http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=11528395&tabId=20 |archive-date=31 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="Mini-film city at Ramanthuruth" />
| distributors = <!--ADD ONLY MAJOR DISTRIBUTORS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER-->{{br separated entries|[[Aashirvad Cinemas]]|[[Amal Neerad Productions]]|[[Anto Joseph|Anto Joseph Film Company]]|[[Anwar Rasheed Entertainments]]|[[Ashiq Usman|Ashiq Usman Productions]]|August Cinema|[[AVA Productions]]|[[Dileesh Pothan|Bhavana Studios]]|E4 Entertainment|[[Fahadh Faasil filmography#Producer|Fahadh Faasil and Friends]]|[[Friday Film House]]|Kavya Film Company|[[Lal (actor)|Lal Creations]]|[[LJ Films]]|[[Listin Stephen#Filmography|Magic Frames]]|[[Mammootty|Mammootty Kampany]]|[[Merryland Studio]]|[[Mulakuppadam Films]]|[[Navodaya Studio]]|[[Aashiq Abu|OPM Cinemas]]|[[Nivin Pauly|Pauly Jr. Pictures]]|[[Prithviraj Sukumaran|Prithviraj Productions]]|[[Revathy Kalamandhir]]|Sree Gokulam Movies|[[Swargachitra Appachan|Swargachitra]]|[[Dileep|Grand Production]]|[[Udaya Pictures]]|[[Dulquer Salmaan|Wayfarer Films]]|[[Weekend Blockbusters]]|[[Working Class Hero (film production company)|Working Class Hero]]}}
| produced_year        = 2023
| produced_ref         =<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Digital March Media & Entertainment in South India |url=http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-India/Local%20Assets/Documents/Ficci%20Media%20and%20Entertainment/FICCI%20South%20Media%20report_web.pdf |access-date=21 April 2014 |publisher=Deloitte |archive-date=23 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423063313/http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-India/Local%20Assets/Documents/Ficci%20Media%20and%20Entertainment/FICCI%20South%20Media%20report_web.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| produced_total       = 259
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{{Indian cinema}}
'''Malayalam cinema''', also referred to as '''Mollywood''', is a segment of [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]] dedicated to producing films in the [[Malayalam|Malayalam language]], primarily spoken in [[Kerala]] and the [[Lakshadweep]] islands. It encompasses both the mainstream film industry and independent Malayalam films. Known for its strong storytelling, powerful performances, and social themes, Malayalam cinema has received critical acclaim and is often regarded as one of India's most notable film industries. 

The first Malayalam [[feature film]] was ''[[Vigathakumaran]],'' a [[Silent film|silent]] film directed and produced by [[J. C. Daniel]]. Production started in 1928, and it was released at the Capitol Theatre in [[Thiruvananthapuram]] on 23 October 1930.<ref name="chelangatt" /> The first [[talkie]] in Malayalam was ''[[Balan (film)|Balan]]'' (1938) directed by [[S. Nottani]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=15 August 2004 |title=A nostalgic look at Malayalam cinema |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/09/07/stories/2009090750600400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923204358/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/09/07/stories/2009090750600400.htm |archive-date=23 September 2009 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> During the 1920s, the Malayalam film industry was based in Thiruvananthapuram, although the film industry started to develop and flourish  by the late 1940s. Later the industry shifted to [[Chennai|Madras]] (now Chennai). By the late 1980s, the industry returned to Kerala,<ref>[http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/towardsmorevisual.htm Official website of Information & Public Relations Department]

{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504173110/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/towardsmorevisual.htm|date=4 May 2013}}. Retrieved on 29 July 2013.</ref> establishing [[Kochi]] as its hub with most production and post-production facilities located there and most of the film stars including [[Mammootty]] and [[Mohanlal]] living in the city.<ref name="Kochi sizzling onscreen">{{Cite news |date=29 January 2013 |title=Kochi sizzling onscreen |url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article1439876.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526145345/http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article1439876.ece |archive-date=26 May 2013 |access-date=4 February 2013 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref name="Mollywood comes home to Kochi">{{Cite news |date=4 March 2013 |title=Mollywood comes home to Kochi |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/mollywood-comes-home-to-kochi/article4472387.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515132059/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/mollywood-comes-home-to-kochi/article4472387.ece |archive-date=15 May 2017 |access-date=18 July 2017 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref name="Veedu">{{Cite news |date=23 May 2013 |title=Veedu |url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=11528395&tabId=20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531112231/http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=11528395&tabId=20 |archive-date=31 May 2014 |access-date=21 January 2013 |work=[[Malayala Manorama]]}}</ref><ref name="Mini-film city at Ramanthuruth">{{Cite news |date=7 November 2017 |title=Mini-film city at Ramanthuruth |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/mini-film-city-at-ramanthuruth/articleshow/61540255.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909133917/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/mini-film-city-at-ramanthuruth/articleshow/61540255.cms |archive-date=9 September 2019 |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

As of 2024, Malayalam cinema has earned numerous accolades at the [[National Film Awards]], including 14 for [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]], 6 for [[National Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]], 13 for [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film|Best Film]], and 13 for [[National Film Award for Best Direction|Best Director]].{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=358-361}} Malayalam cinema garnered international recognition, with ''[[Elippathayam]]'' (1982) winning the [[Sutherland Trophy]] at the [[London Film Festival]], and being named the Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982 by the [[British Film Institute]]. Additionally, ''[[Marana Simhasanam]]'' won the prestigious [[Caméra d'Or]] at the [[1999 Cannes Film Festival]].

Several Malayalam films have been India's official entries for the [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] category at the [[Academy Awards]], including [[Rajiv Anchal]]'s ''[[Guru (1997 film)|Guru]]'' (1997), [[Salim Ahamed]]'s ''[[Adaminte Makan Abu]]'' (2011), [[Lijo Jose Pellissery]]'s ''[[Jallikkattu]]'' (2019) and [[Jude Anthany Joseph]]'s ''[[2018 (film)|2018]]'' (2023). Other globally acclaimed films include ''[[Chemmeen]]'' (1965), which received a Certificate of Merit at the [[Chicago International Film Festival]], and a gold medal at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] for Best Cinematography.<ref name=":0">{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20100809115516/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2006/08/11/stories/2006081101690200.htm "Fifty and still refreshing"]}}. ''The Hindu''. 11 August 2006. Retrieved 24 May 2011.</ref> ''[[Swaham]]'' (1994) won the ''Bronze Rosa Camuna'' at the [[Bergamo Film Meeting]] in [[Italy]].<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |title=PIRAVI |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/275/year/1989.html |website=Festival de Cannes |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=3 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003194210/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/275/year/1989.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SWAHAM">{{Cite web |title=SWAHAM |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/2980/year/1994.html |website=Festival de Cannes |access-date=18 December 2013 |archive-date=22 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822171411/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/2980/year/1994.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MARANA SIMHASANAM">{{Cite web |title=MARANA SIMHASANAM |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/5370/year/1999.html |website=Festival de Cannes |access-date=10 October 2009 |archive-date=20 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020082931/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/5370/year/1999.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IBNLive">{{Cite web |title=100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-78.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425235027/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-78.html |archive-date=2013-04-25 |website=IBNLive}}</ref> Malayalam cinema has also produced India's first [[3D film]], ''[[My Dear Kuttichathan]]'' (1984).<ref name="thssk">{{Cite web |last=thssk |title=Casting a magic spell |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/15/stories/2003051500260100.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110090204/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/15/stories/2003051500260100.htm |archive-date=10 January 2009 |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Hinduonnet.com}}</ref> The first [[CinemaScope]] film produced in Malayalam was ''[[Thacholi Ambu]]'' (1978).<ref name="Archives.chennaionline.com">{{Cite web |title=An interview with 'Navodaya' Appachan |url=http://archives.chennaionline.com/interviews/appachan.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326065737/http://archives.chennaionline.com/interviews/appachan.asp |archive-date=26 March 2009 |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Archives.chennaionline.com}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Vigathakumaran.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|alt=Vigathakumaran |A scene from [[Vigathakumaran]], the first Malayalam feature film]]

Active Malayalam film production did not take place until the second half of the 20th century: there were only two silent films, and three Malayalam-language films before 1947.<ref name="Armes">{{Cite book |last=Roy Armes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qFDnqIwdr8EC&pg=PA121 |title=Third World film making and the West |publisher=University of California Press |year=1987 |isbn=978-0-520-90801-7 |page=121 |access-date=3 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=AMMA |title=malayalamcinema |url=http://www.malayalamcinema.com/cinema-history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526022016/http://www.malayalamcinema.com/cinema-history.htm |archive-date=26 May 2018 |access-date=3 April 2013 |website=malayalamcinema.com}}</ref> With support from the Kerala state government production climbed from around 6 a year in the 1950s, to 30 a year in the 1960s, 40 a year in the 1970s, to 127 films in 1980.<ref name="Armes" />

=== Origins 1928 ===
The first cinema hall in [[Kerala]], with a manually operated film projector, was opened in [[Thrissur]] by [[Jose Kattookkaran]] in 1907. In 1913, the first permanent theatre in Kerala was established in [[Thrissur]] town by Kattookkaran and was called the ''Jose Electrical Bioscope'', now [[Jose Theatre|Jos Theatre]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=A true adventurer |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-true-adventurer/article5179374.ece |access-date=29 September 2013 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930114701/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-true-adventurer/article5179374.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cinema |url=http://www.keralawindow.net/cinema.htm |access-date=29 September 2013 |publisher=Keralawindow |archive-date=9 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109173001/http://www.keralawindow.net/cinema.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Malayalam cinema |url=http://cinema-malayalam.tripod.com/id26.html |access-date=29 September 2013 |publisher=Cinema Malayalam |archive-date=7 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507114356/http://cinema-malayalam.tripod.com/id26.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:PK Rosy.jpg|thumb|[[P. K. Rosy|PK Rosy]], the first actress of Malayalam movie industry]]
The first film made in Malayalam was ''[[Vigathakumaran]]''. Production started in 1928, and it was released at the Capitol Theatre in [[Thiruvananthapuram]] on 23 October 1930. It was produced and directed by [[J. C. Daniel]], a businessman with no prior film experience, who is credited as the father of Malayalam cinema.<ref name="chelangatt">''The History of Cinema'', by Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan</ref> Daniel founded the first film studio, The Travancore National Pictures Limited, in Kerala.<ref name="chelangatt" /> A second film, ''[[Marthanda Varma (film)|Marthanda Varma]]'', based on the novel by [[C. V. Raman Pillai]], was produced by R. Sundar Raj Nadar in 1933. However, after only being shown for four days, the film prints were confiscated due to a legal battle over copyright.<ref name="chelangatt" />

The first [[talkie]] in Malayalam was ''[[Balan (film)|Balan]]'', released in 1938.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="NYT3">{{Cite web |last=Jonathan Crow |date=2012 |title=Balan (1938) |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/253937/Balan/overview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103165835/https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/253937/Balan/overview |archive-date=3 November 2012 |access-date=2011-01-01 |website=[[The New York Times]] |department=Movies & TV Dept.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Senapati |first=Udai |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C_VjEAAAQBAJ&dq=malayalam&pg=PA56 |title=Filmmaking |date=2022-03-13 |publisher=K. K. Publications |pages=52 |language=en |access-date=11 March 2023 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326164800/https://books.google.com/books?id=C_VjEAAAQBAJ&dq=malayalam&pg=PA56 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was directed by [[S. Nottani]] with a screenplay and songs written by [[Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai]]. It was produced by [[Modern Theatres]] at [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]] in the neighbouring state of [[Tamil Nadu]].  ''Balan'' was followed by ''Gnanambika'' in 1940, which was directed by S. Nottani. Then came ''Prahlada'' in 1941, directed by K. Subramoniam of Madras and featuring Guru Gopinath and Thankamani Gopinath.

Until 1947 most Malayalam films were made by Tamil producers, P. J. Cherian<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artist P.J. Cherian |url=http://artistpjcherian.com/ |website=artistpjcherian.com |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=11 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311122921/http://artistpjcherian.com/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref> was the first Malayali producer to venture into this field after JC Daniel Nadar. PJ Cherian produced ''[[Nirmala (1948 film)|Nirmala]]'' in 1948 with Joseph Cherian and Baby Joseph his son and daughter-in-law as hero and heroine. He also cast many other family members in other roles, trying to break the taboo that noble family people do not take up acting. ''Nirmala'' is the first movie which introduced play-back singing in the Malayalm filim industry . P.J. Cherian introduced play-back singing in Malayalam cinema. The lyrics of the film written by [[G. Sankara Kurup]] became popular.

[[Udaya Studios]]' ''[[Vellinakshatram (1949 film)|Vellinakshatram]]'' (1949) was the first movie with audio to be made completely in Kerala.

=== 1950s ===
Malayalam cinema has always taken its themes from relevant social issues and has been interwoven with material from [[literature]], [[drama]], and [[politics]] since its inception. One such film, ''[[Jeevitha Nouka]]'' (1951), was a musical drama that spoke about the problems in a joint family.

In 1954, the film ''[[Neelakuyil]]'' captured national interest by winning the President's silver medal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Free music website-jaimusiconline.com |url=http://jaimusiconline.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227012349/http://jaimusiconline.com/ |archive-date=27 December 2018 |access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref> It was scripted by the well-known Malayalam novelist [[Uroob]], and directed by [[P. Bhaskaran]] and [[Ramu Kariat]].

''[[Newspaper Boy (1955 film)|Newspaper Boy]]'' (1955) contained elements of [[Italian neorealism]]. This film is notable as the product of a group of amateur college filmmakers. It told the story of a printing press employee and his family being stricken with extreme poverty.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malayalam Movie, Malayalam Movies, Malayalam Cinema, Malayalam Movie News, Latest Malayalam Movie News, New Malayalam Movie, Latest Malayalam Cinema |url=http://www.metromatinee.com/history/?value=1954_1955 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311134217/http://www.metromatinee.com/history/?value=1954_1955 |archive-date=11 March 2014 |access-date=11 March 2014}}</ref>

The music took a turn away from the trend of copying Tamil and Hindi songs. The poets Tirunainaarkurichy Madhavan Nair&nbsp;– Thirunaiyarkurichy, [[P. Bhaskaran]], [[O. N. V. Kurup]], and Vayalar Ramavarma rose up in this period as film lyricists. Brother Lakshmanan, [[Dakshinamurthy]], [[K. Raghavan]], [[G. Devarajan]], [[M. S. Baburaj]], and Pukhenthey Velappan Nair started a distinct style of Malayalam music. Kamukara Purushotaman, Mehboob, [[Kozhikode Abdul Kader]], AM Raja, [[P. B. Sreenivas]], [[K. P. Udayabhanu]], [[Santha P. Nair]], [[P. Leela]], [[S. Janaki]], [[P. Susheela]], B. Vasantha, Renuka, and [[Jikki]] were the most prominent singers of the 1950s.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} The drama artist and school teacher [[Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai]] lent many of his skills to the cinema in this period.

=== 1960s ===
[[Ramu Kariat]], one of the directors of ''[[Neelakuyil]]'' (along with P. Bhaskaran), went on to become a successful director in the 1960s and 1970s. [[P. Bhaskaran]] directed many acclaimed and hit films in the 1960s and 70s. The cameraman of ''Neelakkuyil'', [[A. Vincent]], also became a noted director of the 1960s and 1970s. Notable films of this decade include ''[[Odayil Ninnu]]'', ''[[Bhargavi Nilayam]]'' (1964), ''[[Chemmeen]]'' (1965), ''[[Murappennu]]'' (1965) and ''[[Iruttinte Athmavu]]'' (1966).

Malayalam cinema's first colour film was ''[[Kandam Bacha Coat]]'' (1961).

''Chemmeen'' (1965), directed by [[Ramu Kariat]] and based on a novel of the same name by [[Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai]], went on to become very popular and became the first South Indian film to win the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film]].

Most of the films of the 1960s were animated by the nationalist and socialist projects and centered on issues relating to caste and class exploitation, the fight against obscurantist beliefs, the degeneration of the feudal class, and the break-up of the joint-family system.<ref>{{Cite book |last=C. S.Venkiteswaran |title=A historical overview |page=1}}</ref>

In the 1960s, [[M. Krishnan Nair (director)|M. Krishnan Nair]], [[Kunchacko]] and [[P. Subramaniam]] were the leading Malayali producers. Thikkurusi Sukumaran Nair, Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Madhu, Adoor Bhasi, Bahadur, S.P. Pillai, K.P. Ummer, Kottarakara Sreedharan Nair, Raghavan, G.K. Pillai, Muthukulam, Joseprakash, Paravur Bharatan, Muthayya, Shankaradi, Govindankutty, K.R. Vijaya, Padmini, Ragini, Sharada, Sheela, Ambika, Jayabharathi, Arumula Ponnamma and Sadahna were among the more popular actors active in this period.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, [[Kunchacko]] made significant contributions to Malayalam cinema, both as a producer and as director of some notable movies. He started [[Udaya Studios]] in Alappuzha in 1947, reducing the travel to Madras (Chennai) for film crew and actors. This boosted Malayalam film production in Kerala.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}

Many directors sprang up in this period. [[P. N. Menon (director)|P.N. Menon]] made ''Rosy'' and later ''Chemparanthi''. [[G. Aravindan]] and [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]] also started work in the 1960s and became famous later.

=== 1970s ===
{{further|List of Malayalam films of the 1970s}}
[[File:Adoor Gopalakrishnan 3.jpg|thumbnail|180px|''[[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]]'' is one of the pioneers of Indian [[parallel cinema]].]]
The 70s saw the emergence of a new wave of cinema in Malayalam. The growth of the film society movement in Kerala introduced the works of the French and Italian New Wave directors to the discerning Malayali film enthusiasts. [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]]'s first film, ''[[Swayamvaram (1972 film)|Swayamvaram]]'' (1972), brought Malayalam cinema to the international film arena. In 1973 [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]], who was by then recognised as an important author in Malayalam, directed his first film, ''[[Nirmalyam]]'', which won the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film]]. [[G. Aravindan]] followed [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan|Adoor]]'s lead with his ''[[Uttarayanam]]'' in 1974. [[K. P. Kumaran]]'s ''Adhithi'' (1974) was another film that was acclaimed by the critics. [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography|Cinematographers who won the National Award]] for their work on Malayalam films in the 1970s were [[Mankada Ravi Varma]] for ''[[Swayamvaram (1972 film)|Swayamvaram]]'' (1972), [[P. S. Nivas]] for ''[[Mohiniyattam]]'' (1977), and [[Shaji N. Karun]] for ''[[Piravi]]'' (1989). [[John Abraham (director)|John Abraham]], [[K. R. Mohanan]], [[K. G. George]], and G. S. Panikkar were products of the [[Pune Film Institute]] who made significant contributions.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}

During the late 1970s, some young artists started seeing Malayalam cinema as a medium of expression and thought of it as a tool to revitalise society. A noted director, Aravindan, was famous in Kerala as a cartoonist before he started making films. His important movies include ''[[Kanchana Sita]]'' (1977), ''[[Thampu]]'' (1978), ''[[Kummatty]]'' (1979), ''[[Chidambaram (film)|Chidambaram]]'' (1985), ''[[Oridathu]]'' (1986), and ''[[Vasthuhara]]'' (1990).

The 1970s also saw the emergence of the notable director [[P. G. Viswambharan]] with his debut film ''Ozhukinethire'' and the mythical film ''[[Satyavan Savithri]]'', which were well accepted.

Also, commercial cinema in this period saw several worker-class themed films which mostly had [[M. G. Soman]], [[Sukumaran]] and [[Sudheer (Malayalam actor)|Sudheer]] in the lead followed by the emergence of a new genre of pure action-themed films, in a movement led by [[Jayan]]. However, this was short-lived, and almost ended when Jayan died while performing a [[stunt]] in ''[[Kolilakkam]]'' (1980).

=== 1980s ===
{{further|List of Malayalam films of the 1980s}}
{{see also|Malayalam softcore pornography}}
The Malayalam cinema of this period was characterised by detailed [[screenplay]]s dealing with everyday life with a lucid narration of plot intermingling with humour and melancholy. This was aided by the [[cinematography]] and lighting. The films had warm background music.

In 1981 Fazil directed Manjil Virinja Pookal the film also introduced then romantic star [[Shankar (actor)|Shankar]] and later actor [[Mohanlal]] to the world. Adoor Gopalakrishnan made ''[[Elippathayam]]'' in 1981. This movie won the [[British Film Institute]] award.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} The year 1981 also saw the rise of actor ''[[Mammootty]]'' through the movie ''[[Sphodanam]]'' directed by [[P. G. Viswambharan]].

In the 1980s [[Padmarajan]] made some of the landmark motion pictures in Malayalam cinema, including masterpieces like ''[[Oridathoru Phayalvaan]]'' (1981), ''[[Koodevide]]'' (1983), ''[[Thinkalaazhcha Nalla Divasam]]'' (1985), ''[[Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil]]'' (1986), ''[[Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal]]'' (1986), ''[[Thoovanathumbikal]]'' (1987), ''[[Moonnam Pakkam]]'' (1988), ''[[Innale]]'' (1989) and ''[[Season (film)|Season]]'' (1989). He wrote several short stories that were unique in content and presentation. His novels handled the darkest emotions and considered as classics. Most plots were nascent for that age literature. All works were so cinematic and can be easily visualised to the celluloid version.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

[[K. G. George]] released films including ''[[Yavanika]]'' and ''[[Adaminte Vaariyellu]]''. This was the period during which script writer [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]] started teaming up with director [[Hariharan (director)|Hariharan]] to produce works like ''[[Panchagni]]'', ''[[Nakhakshathangal]]'', ''[[Aranyakam]]'' and ''[[Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha]]''. [[John Abraham (director)|John Abraham]]'s films such as ''Amma Ariyaan'' addressed people's issues and raised the finance directly from people. The period had movies with humour from directors like [[Priyadarshan]], [[Sathyan Anthikad]], [[Kamal (director)|Kamal]] and [[Siddique-Lal]]. ''[[Piravi]]'' (1989) by [[Shaji N. Karun]] was the first Malayalam film to win the [[Caméra d'Or]]-Mention at the Cannes Film Festival.<ref name="ReferenceA" />

[[Ratheesh]] and [[Sukumaran]] also were leading stars in the industry in the early eighties. By the end of the 1980s, Mammooty and Mohanlal also established themselves as the leading actors in Malayalam.

The mid-1980s saw the emergence of low-quality [[Malayalam softcore pornography|Malayalam softcore films]] made with fairly [[Low-budget film|low budgets]]. They were remarked as B-grade films, and were certified as fit for adults only (A rated). These films emerged parallel with the mainstream Malayalam cinema. In 1986, roughly 14 of the 32-odd films released were classified as B-grade films.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Soft-porn boom hits commercial cinema in Kerala like a bolt from the blue |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19860515-soft-porn-boom-hits-commercial-cinema-in-kerala-like-a-bolt-from-the-blue-800882-1986-05-14 |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=India Today |date=15 May 1986 |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005191353/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19860515-soft-porn-boom-hits-commercial-cinema-in-kerala-like-a-bolt-from-the-blue-800882-1986-05-14 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 1990s ===
{{further|List of Malayalam films of the 1990s}}
Some examples are ''[[Mathilukal]]'' (1990) directed by [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]], ''[[Kattukuthira]]'' (1990) directed by [[P. G. Viswambharan]], ''[[Amaram]]'' (1991) directed by [[Bharathan]], ''[[Ulladakkam]]'' (1992) directed by [[Kamaluddin Mohammed|Kamal]], ''[[Kilukkam]]'' (1991) directed by [[Priyadarshan]], ''[[Kamaladalam]]'' (1992) by [[Sibi Malayil]], ''[[Vidheyan]]'' (1993) by [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]], ''[[Devaasuram]]'' (1993) by [[I. V. Sasi]], ''[[Manichitrathazhu]]'' (1993) by Fazil, ''[[Ponthan Mada]]'' (1993) by [[T. V. Chandran]], ''[[Spadikam]]'' (1995) by [[Bhadran (director)|Bhadran]], ''[[Commissioner]]''(1994)  ''[[The King (1995 film)|The King]]'' (1995) by [[Shaji Kailas]], ''[[Hitler (1996 film)|Hitler]]'' (1996) by [[Siddique (director)|Siddique]] and ''[[Desadanam]]'' (1997) by [[Jayaraj]]. Due to a series of comedy films produced between the late 1980s and late 1990s made actors like [[Jagadish]], [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]], [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]], [[Sreenivasan]] and [[Jayaram]] became very popular for their comedy roles. This series of comedy films begun in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with comedy films by [[Sathyan Anthikad]] and [[Siddique-Lal]], like ''[[Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu]]'', ''[[Mazhavilkavadi]]'', ''[[Ramji Rao Speaking]]'', ''[[Thalayana Manthram]]'', ''[[In Harihar Nagar]]'', and ''[[Godfather (1991 film)|Godfather]]'', and some of them went on to be remade by other directors in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and other languages. The success of ''[[In Harihar Nagar]]'' led to the production of a series of comedy films in the early and mid-1990s.

''[[Swaham]]'' (1994), directed by [[Shaji N. Karun]], was the first Malayalam film entry for the competition in the [[Cannes Film Festival|Cannes International Film Festival]], where it was a nominee for the [[Palme d'Or]]. [[Murali Nair]]'s ''[[Marana Simhasanam]]'' later won the [[Caméra d'Or]] at the [[1999 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref name="festival-cannes.com">{{Cite web |title=Festival de Cannes: Throne of Death |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/5370/year/1999.html |access-date=10 October 2009 |website=festival-cannes.com |archive-date=20 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020082931/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/5370/year/1999.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Guru (1997 film)|Guru]]'' (1997), directed by [[Rajiv Anchal]], was chosen as [[India's official entry to the Oscars]] to be considered for nomination in the Best Foreign Film category for that year, making it the first film in Malayalam to be chosen for Oscar nomination. Noted script writer [[A. K. Lohithadas|A.K. Lohithadas]] made his directorial debut with ''[[Bhoothakkannadi]]'', for which he won the [[Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director]]. {{citation needed|date=June 2012}}

=== 2000s ===
{{further|List of Malayalam films of the 2000s}}

The millennium started with a blockbuster hit ''[[Narasimham (film)|Narasimham]]'' starring [[Mohanlal]]
. In 2001 came the world's first film with only one actor in the cast, [[The Guard (2001 film)|The Guard]]. Slapstick comedy was the predominant theme of the films of this era. ''[[C.I.D. Moosa]]'' (2003) by [[Johny Antony]], ''[[Meesa Madhavan]]'' (2002) by [[Lal Jose]] and ''[[Kunjikoonan (2002 film)|Kunjikoonan]]'' (2002) directed by [[Sasi Shanker]] are examples. Sequels to a number of successful films were made. Some movies were examples of exemplary film making, such as ''[[Meghamalhar]]'', ''[[Madhuranombarakattu]]'', ''[[Nandanam (film)|Nandanam]]'', ''[[Perumazhakkalam]]'', and ''[[Kaazhcha]]''. In 2008, Malayalam movie artists came together in the ensemble-cast film ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]'' to raise funds for [[Association of Malayalam Movie Artists|AMMA]], the governing body of movie actors in Malayalam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mother of all multistarrers! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/mother-of-all-multistarrers-news-malayalam-kkfupViiiie.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009063822/http://www.sify.com/movies/mother-of-all-multistarrers-news-malayalam-kkfupViiiie.html |archive-date=2012-10-09 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

The 2000-2003 period also saw witnessed the [[Malayalam softcore pornography#The wave of Shakeela|Shakeela tharangam]] that resulted in the production of a series of low budget [[Malayalam softcore pornography|softporn films]] in Malayalam cinema. The continued failure of comedy films and the theater strikes in Kerala, that started in the early 2000s, were the major reasons behind the comeback of B-grade films in Malayalam. Around 57 of the total 89 films released in 2001 belonged to the soft-porn category and [[Shakeela]] featured in many of them''.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pornography is big business in Malayalam film industry |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20020805-pornography-is-big-business-in-malayalam-film-industry-794685-2002-08-04 |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=India Today |date=5 August 2002 |language=en |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525015506/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20020805-pornography-is-big-business-in-malayalam-film-industry-794685-2002-08-04 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2010s ===
{{Main|New generation (Malayalam film movement)}}
After several years of quality deterioration, Malayalam films saw the signs of massive resurgence after 2010<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |date=2 July 2013 |title=Malayalam new generation films failing to click? |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/malayalam-new-generation-films-failing-to-click-/1136635/ |website=indianexpress.com |access-date=18 February 2015 |archive-date=7 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107000244/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/malayalam-new-generation-films-failing-to-click-/1136635/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with the release of several experimental films (known as [[New Wave (Malayalam film genre)|New Wave]] or New Generation films),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Glorious 100 |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/glorious-100 |website=Khaleej Times |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111175310/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/glorious-100 |url-status=live }}</ref> mostly from new directors.  New Wave is characterised by fresh and unusual themes and new narrative techniques.<ref name="autogenerated1" /><ref name="intoday1">{{Cite web |date=7 July 2012 |title=Malayalam cinema pushes the envelope : NATION&nbsp;– India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/malayalam-cinema-pushes-the-envelope/1/204102.html |access-date=25 January 2013 |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |archive-date=24 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124085352/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/malayalam-cinema-pushes-the-envelope/1/204102.html |url-status=live }}</ref> These films differ from conventional themes of the 1990s and 2000s and have introduced several new trends to the Malayalam industry.<ref name="thehindu1">{{Cite news |last=Vijay George |date=27 December 2012 |title=Arts / Cinema : The show goes on... |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/the-show-goes-on/article4245126.ece |access-date=25 January 2013 |archive-date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913134246/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-show-goes-on/article4245126.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> While the new generation's formats and styles are deeply influenced by global and Indian trends, their themes are firmly rooted in Malayali life and mindscapes.<ref name="frontline.in">{{Cite web |last=Venkiteswaran |first=C. S. |date=2 October 2013 |title=New trails of discovery |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/arts-and-culture/cinema/new-trails-of-discovery/article5189455.ece |website=Frontline |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809173406/https://frontline.thehindu.com/arts-and-culture/cinema/new-trails-of-discovery/article5189455.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The new generation also helped the Malayalam film industry regain its past glory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gauri |first=Deepa |title=Hit parade |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20130516/ARTICLE/305169991/1057 |website=Khaleej Times |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111121600/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20130516/ARTICLE/305169991/1057 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Salim Ahamed]]'s ''[[Adaminte Makan Abu]]'' was chosen as India's official entry to the [[Academy Award]]s to be considered for nomination in the Best Foreign Film category in 2011.

''[[Christian Brothers (film)|Christian Brothers]]'' (2011) was released worldwide with a total of 310 prints on 18 March; it went to 154 centres in Kerala, 90 centres outside Kerala and 80 centres overseas, making it the widest release for a Malayalam film at that time. This record was later broken by ''[[Peruchazhi]]'' (2014), which released in 500 screens worldwide on 29 August.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicy V.P |date=26 August 2014 |title=Malayalam Wrap up: Mohanlal's 'Peruchazhi' to Release in 500 Screens |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/malayalam-wrap-mohanlals-peruchazhi-release-500-screens-prithviraj-inaugurates-asif-alis-607690 |access-date=28 August 2014 |website=International Business Times |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013645/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/malayalam-wrap-mohanlals-peruchazhi-release-500-screens-prithviraj-inaugurates-asif-alis-607690 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Drishyam]]'' (2013) became the first Malayalam film to cross the INR 500&nbsp;million mark at the box office. The film was critically acclaimed and was remade in four languages.<ref name="crore">Rajaneesh Vilakudy (14 December 2014). [https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Is-Drishyam-Malayalam-cinemas-biggest-hit-Jeethu-answers/articleshow/45514783.cms "Is Drishyam, Malayalam cinema's biggest hit? Jeethu Joseph answers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326202043/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Is-Drishyam-Malayalam-cinemas-biggest-hit-Jeethu-answers/articleshow/45514783.cms |date=26 March 2023 }}. ''Bangalore Mirror''. Retrieved 30 December 2014.</ref> Later, in 2016, ''[[Pulimurugan]]'' directed by Vyshak became the first Malayalam film to cross the INR 1&nbsp;billion mark at the box office.

In recent years, Malayalam films have gained popularity in Sri Lanka,<ref name="MalayalifilmsSL">{{Cite news |date=17 June 2018 |title=Sri Lankan south's lost ties with south India |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lankan-souths-lost-ties-with-south-india/article24187502.ece |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033639/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lankan-souths-lost-ties-with-south-india/article24187502.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> with fans citing cultural similarities between [[Sinhalese people]] and Malayalis as a reason.<ref name="MalayalifilmsSL" /> In 2019, [[Lucifer (2019 Indian film)|''Lucifer'']] became the highest grossing Malayalam film of all time. Lucifer became the highest grossing Indian film in Dubai. The film collected a final gross of INR 2000 million at the box office.

=== 2020s ===
In November 2020, [[Lijo Jose Pellissery]]'s film ''[[Jallikattu (2019 film)|Jallikattu]]'' was selected as India's submission for Oscar for best foreign language film making as third Malayalam film as entry.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=P. k Ajith |date=25 November 2020 |title=Malayalam Film Jallikattu is India's official Entry to the oscars |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/malayalam-film-jallikattu-is-indias-official-entry-to-the-oscars/article33176814.ece |access-date=27 November 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127085152/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/malayalam-film-jallikattu-is-indias-official-entry-to-the-oscars/article33176814.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020 a mid the [[COVID-19]] lockdown, [[Sufiyum Sujatayum]], starring [[Jayasurya]] and [[Aditi Rao Hydari]], has become the first Malayalam film to be released on the [[Amazon Prime Video]] ([[Over-the-top media service|OTT]]) platform as theatres remain shut in Kerala due to the pandemic. In 2021, ''[[Drishyam 2]]'', ''[[Nayattu (2021 film)|Nayattu]]'', ''[[Kala (2021 film)|Kala]]'', ''[[Joji (film)|Joji]]'', ''[[The Great Indian Kitchen]]'' and ''[[Malik (film)|Malik]]'' made their list in the highest rated 2021 movies in [[IMDb|Imdb]].

Malayalam cinema's first ever original superhero [[Minnal Murali]] was released through [[Netflix]] on 24 December 2021. [[Tovino Thomas]] as Minnal Murali which was directed by [[Basil Joseph]] under [[Weekend Blockbusters]] gained great reviews by critics and became top watched Non-English movie on Netflix. It broke all records of Malayalam cinema trailers on [[YouTube]] crossing 6 Million Views and 500K+ likes in 24 hours.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-07 |title=Box Office: Mammootty's Bheeshma Parvam scores Opening weekend record in Kerala |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/box-office-mammoottys-bheeshma-parvam-creates-opening-weekend-record-kerala-1040192 |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=PINKVILLA |language=en |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307205601/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/box-office-mammoottys-bheeshma-parvam-creates-opening-weekend-record-kerala-1040192 |url-status=live }}</ref> in 2023, disaster film ''[[2018 (film)|2018]]'' was selected as India's submission for Oscar for best international film<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malayalam Film 2018 Is India's Official Oscar Entry |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/malayalam-film-2018-is-indias-official-oscar-entry-4427864 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=27 September 2023 |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927083117/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/malayalam-film-2018-is-indias-official-oscar-entry-4427864 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Malayalam cinema enjoyed unprecedented box office success in early months of 2024, with worldwide box office collection of Malayalam films touching ₹900 crores in the first quarter. Malayalam cinema achieved its first calendar year ₹1000 crore worldwide gross by May. As of 24 May, total worldwide box office gross stood at ₹1030 crores, including ₹660 crores from India and ₹370 from overseas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-20 |title=Malayalam film industry zooms past Rs 1,000 crore global gross mark while Bollywood, Telugu, Tamil films continue to bleed |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/malayalam-film-industry-rs-1000-cr-global-gross-mark-bollywood-telugu-tamil-films-bleed-9339847/ |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-28 |title=Mollywood Box Office Tops 1000 Crore Gross Worldwide In 2024 - Sacnilk |url=https://www.sacnilk.com/news/Mollywood_Box_Office_Tops_1000_Crore_Gross_Worldwide_In_2024 |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=www.sacnilk.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The films that led the success story were ''[[Manjummel Boys]]'', ''[[The Goat Life|Aadujeevitham]]'', ''[[Premalu]]'', ''[[Aavesham (2024 film)|Aavesham]], [[Marco (2024 film)|Marco]]'' and ''[[ARM (film)|ARM]]'', all of which earned over ₹100 crores at worldwide box office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-29 |title=Mollywood back with a bang in 2024, crossing Rs 900-cr-mark in box office |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/malayalam-movie-box-office-collection-in-2024-1.9520452 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=English.Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-19 |title=How three Malayalam films are scripting history with massive box office numbers globally |url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/how-three-malayalam-films-are-scripting-history-with-massive-box-office-numbers-globally-712996 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=WION |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-01 |title=Mollywood Box Office Collection 2024 - Sacnilk |url=https://www.sacnilk.com/entertainmenttopbar/Mollywood_Box_Office_2024?hl=en |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=www.sacnilk.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The success is attributed to wide critical acclaim, themes that resonated with the audience and tapping into other state markets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=Medium budgets, big ambitions: Why Malayalam cinema is dominating the box office |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/malayalam-cinema-box-office-success-budget-9289874/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jose |first=Anna |date=2024-04-12 |title=Manjummel Boys to Aadujeevitham: Malayalam films are hitting it out of the park and how! |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/web-only/2024/Apr/12/from-manjummel-boys-to-aadujeevitham-malayalam-films-are-hitting-it-out-of-the-park-and-how |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The rise of Mollywood: 5 films that entered 100 crore club this year |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2024/12/11/malayalam-movies-2024-100-crore-club-hits-mollywood.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=The rise of Mollywood: 5 films that entered 100 crore club this year |language=en}}</ref> 

In 2025, ''[[L2: Empuraan]]'' became the first Malayalam film to cross ₹250 and ₹300 crores mark, first Malayalam film to cross ₹50 crore opening day, first Malayalam film to cross ₹150 crore opening weekend and first Malayalam film to cross ₹150 crores in [[List of highest-grossing Indian films in overseas markets|overseas markets]]. Then, ''[[Thudarum]]'' became the first Malayalam film to gross ₹100 crores from Kerala box office alone. This have made Malayalam cinema to gross over ₹800 crores totally in the first half of 2025, with ''L2: Empuraan'' and ''Thudarum'' being its backbone. ''Marco'' is the first Malayalam film set to be released in South Korea.<ref>{{cite news |title=Unni Mukundan's 'Marco' follows 'Baahubali' to South Korea, expanding Malayalam cinema's reach |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2025/01/02/marco-movie-violence-unni-mukundan-south-korea-release.html |language=en-IN}}</ref>

== Pioneering film-making techniques ==
*''[[Newspaper Boy (1955 film)|Newspaper Boy]]'' (1955), a [[Neorealism (art)|neorealistic]] film, was inspired by [[Italian neorealism]].<ref name="Archives.chennaionline.com" /><ref name="malayalamcinema1">{{Cite web |title=Cinema History Malayalam Cinema |url=http://malayalamcinema.com/Content-4/CinemaHistory.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223132036/http://malayalamcinema.com/Content-4/CinemaHistory.html |archive-date=23 December 2008 |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Malayalamcinema.com}}</ref>

*''[[Padayottam (1982 film)|Padayottam]]'' (1982) is India's first indigenously produced [[70 mm film]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rediff Movies: Team of 48 |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/sep/01hari1.htm |access-date=30 December 2008 |website=Rediff.com |archive-date=2 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302151425/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/sep/01hari1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

*''[[My Dear Kuttichathan]]'' (1984) is India's first [[3D film]].<ref name="thssk" />

*''[[O' Faby]]'' (1993) is India's first [[Live action]]/[[animation]] hybrid film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rhythm of Arts |url=http://www.kalakeralam.com/cartoons/directory/prathapan.htm |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Kalakeralam.com |archive-date=5 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205021419/http://www.kalakeralam.com/cartoons/directory/prathapan.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

*''[[Amma Ariyan]]'' (1986) is the first Indian film to be funded through public contributions. It was produced by Odessa Collective, founded by the director [[John Abraham (director)|John Abraham]] and friends. The money was raised by collecting donations and screening [[Charlie Chaplin]]'s film ''[[The Kid (1921 film)|The Kid]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajmohan |title=John Abraham |url=http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/john.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119082938/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/john.html |archive-date=19 January 2009 |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Cinemaofmalayalam.net}}</ref>

*''[[Kaalapani]]'' (1996) is the first Malayalam film to feature [[Dolby Stereo]] sound.<ref name="History of Malayalam Cinema">{{Cite web |title=History of Malayalam Cinema |url=http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/malayalam_his_5.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119082938/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/malayalam_his_5.html |archive-date=19 January 2009 |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Cinemaofmalayalam.net}}</ref>

*''[[Indraprastham (film)|Indraprastham]]'' (1996) is the first Malayalam film to feature [[Dolby Digital]] sound.<ref name="History of Malayalam Cinema"/>

*''[[Moonnamathoral]]'' (2006) is the first Indian film to be shot and distributed in [[digital cinema|digital format]].<ref name="cinemaofmalayalam.net">[http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/malayalam_his_5.html History of Malayalam Cinema] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623132249/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/malayalam_his_5.html |date=23 June 2010 }}. Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved on 29 July 2013.</ref>

*''[[Villain (2017 film)|Villain]]'' (2017) is the first Indian film to be shot entirely in [[8K resolution]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mohanlal's Villain shot and released in 8K resolution |work=IndiaGlitz.com |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/mohanlals-villain-shot-an-released-in-8k-resolution-malayalam-news-181343 |access-date=26 October 2017 |archive-date=27 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027025902/https://www.indiaglitz.com/mohanlals-villain-shot-an-released-in-8k-resolution-malayalam-news-181343 |url-status=live }}</ref>

*''[[Vazhiye]]'' (2022) is the first [[found footage (film genre)|found footage]] film in Malayalam cinema.
*''[[L2: Empuraan]]'' (2025) is the first Malayalam film to be released in [[IMAX]] and [[Qube Cinema Technologies|EPIQ]] formats.

== Notable personalities ==
=== Directors ===
Malayalam cinema's directors have included [[J. C. Daniel]], the director and [[film producer|producer]] of the first Malayalam film, ''[[Vigathakumaran]]'' (1928). Unlike other Indian films at that time, most of them were based on the [[Puranas]], he chose to base his film on a social theme.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajmohan |title=History of Malayalam Cinema |url=http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/malayalam_his_1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730234852/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/malayalam_his_1.html |archive-date=30 July 2014 |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Cinemaofmalayalam.net}}</ref> Though it failed commercially, he paved the way for the Malayalam film industry and is widely considered the "''father of Malayalam cinema''". Until the 1950s, Malayalam film didn't see many talented film directors. The milestone film ''[[Neelakuyil]]'' (1954), directed by [[Ramu Kariat]] and [[P. Bhaskaran]], shed a lot of limelight over its directors.<ref name="malayalamcinema1" /> Ramu Kariat went on to become a celebrated director in the 1960s and 1970s. P. Bhaskaran directed a few acclaimed films in the 1960s. The cameraman of ''Neelakuyil'', [[A. Vincent]], also became a noted director of the 1960s and 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajmohan |title=History of Malayalam Cinema |url=http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/malayalam_his_2.html |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Cinemaofmalayalam.net |archive-date=4 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204063033/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/malayalam_his_2.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another noted director of the 1950s was P. Ramadas, the director of the neorealistic film ''[[Newspaper Boy (1955 film)|Newspaper Boy]]'' (1955).

In the 1970s, the Malayalam film industry saw the rise of film societies. It triggered a new [[film genre|genre of films]] known as "parallel cinema". The main driving forces of the movement, who gave priority to serious cinema, were [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]] and [[G. Aravindan]]. People like [[John Abraham (director)|John Abraham]] and [[P. A. Backer]] gave a new dimension to Malayalam cinema through their political themes. The late 1970s witnessed the emergence of another stream of Malayalam films, known as "middle-stream cinema", which seamlessly integrated the seriousness of the parallel cinema and the popularity of the mainstream cinema. Most of the films belonging to this stream were directed by PN Menon, [[I. V. Sasi]], [[P. G. Viswambharan]], [[K. G. George]], Bharathan and [[Padmarajan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajmohan |title=History of Malayalam Cinema |url=http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/malayalam_his_3.html |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Cinemaofmalayalam.net |archive-date=31 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731013632/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/malayalam_his_3.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Out of the 40 [[National Film Award for Best Direction]] given away till 2007, Malayalam directors have received 12. The directors who have won include [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]] (1973, 1985, 1988, 1990, 2007), [[G. Aravindan]] (1978, 1979, 1987), [[Shaji N. Karun]] (1989), [[T. V. Chandran]] (1994), [[Jayaraj]] (1998, 2017) and Rajivnath (1999). There are several recipients of the [[National Film Award – Special Jury Award (feature film)|Special Jury Award]] as well: [[Mankada Ravi Varma]] (1984), [[John Abraham (director)|John Abraham]] (1987), [[Shaji N. Karun]] (1995) and Pradeep Nair (2005).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Directorate of Film Festival |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm52NFAAward.aspx?PdfName=52NFA.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928072807/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm52NFAAward.aspx?PdfName=52NFA.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=18 March 2014 |website=iffi.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=www.oridam.com |url=http://www.oridam.com/Awards.htm |access-date=22 October 2016 |archive-date=31 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831013901/http://www.oridam.com/Awards.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Film music ==
[[Film score]], which refers to [[Playback singer]] in the context of [[Music of India|Indian music]], forms the most important canon of [[popular music]] in India. The film music of Kerala in particular is the most popular form of music in the state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Music |url=http://www.keral.com/movies/music.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802081714/http://www.keral.com/movies/music.htm |archive-date=2 August 2008 |access-date=2 January 2009 |publisher=Keral.com}}</ref> Before Malayalam cinema and Malayalam film music developed, the [[Malayali]] eagerly followed [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] and [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]] film songs, and that habit has stayed with them until now. The history of Malayalam film songs begins with the 1948 film ''Nirmala'' which was produced by artist P. J. Cherian who introduced play-back singing for the first time in the film. The film's music composer was P. S. Divakar, and the songs were sung by [[P. Leela]], [[T. K. Govindarao]], Vasudeva Kurup, C. K. Raghavan, Sarojini Menon and Vimala B. Varma, who is credited as the first playback singer of Malayalam cinema.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pradeep |first=K |date=25 April 2008 |title=Family affair |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/04/25/stories/2008042550380400.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=2 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021072850/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/04/25/stories/2008042550380400.htm |archive-date=21 October 2010}}</ref>

The main trend in the early years was to use the tune of hit Hindi or Tamil songs in Malayalam songs. This trend changed in the early 1950s with the arrival of a number of poets and musicians to the Malayalam music scene. By the middle of the 1950s, the Malayalam film music industry started finding its own identity. This reformation was led by the music directors Brother Laxmanan, [[G. Devarajan]], [[V. Dakshinamoorthy]], [[M. S. Baburaj]] and [[K. Raghavan]] along with the lyricists [[Vayalar Ramavarma]], [[P. Bhaskaran]], [[O. N. V. Kurup]] and [[Sreekumaran Thampi]].<ref name="Jason Kaitholil">{{Cite web |last=Jason Kaitholil |title=Cinema History |url=http://malayalamcinema.com/Content-4/CinemaHistory.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223132036/http://malayalamcinema.com/Content-4/CinemaHistory.html |archive-date=23 December 2008 |access-date=2 January 2009 |publisher=AMMA (Malayalamcinema.com)}}</ref> Major playback singers of that time were [[Kamukara Purushothaman]], [[K. P. Udayabhanu]], [[A. M. Rajah]], [[P. Leela]], [[Santha P. Nair]], [[Ayiroor Sadasivan]], Lalitha Thampi, [[C. S. Radhadevi]], [[A. K. Sukumaran]], [[B. Vasantha]], [[P. Susheela]], [[P. Madhuri]] and [[S. Janaki]].  Despite that, these singers got high popularity throughout Kerala and were part of the Golden age of Malayalam music (1960 to 1970).

In the later years many non-Malayalis like [[Manna Dey]], [[Talat Mahmood]], [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Asha Bhosle]], [[Hemlata (singer)|Hemlata]], [[Kishore Kumar]], [[Mahendra Kapoor]] and [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] sang for Malayalam films. This trend was also found among [[composer]]s to an extent, with film composers from other languages including [[Naushad]], [[Usha Khanna]], [[M. B. Sreenivasan]], [[Ravi (composer)|Ravi]], [[Shyam (composer)|Shyam]], [[Bappi Lahiri]], [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]], [[Salil Chowdhury]], [[Ilaiyaraaja]], [[Vishal Bhardwaj]] and [[A. R. Rahman]] scoring music for Malayalam films.<ref name="Jason Kaitholil" /> This can be attributed to the fact that film music in [[South India]] had a parallel growth pattern with many instances of cross-industry contributions.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}} The late 1950s through the mid-1970s can be considered as the golden period of Malayalam film music in its own identity. Along with the leading music directors, the likes of [[M. B. Sreenivasan]], [[M. K. Arjunan]], Pukezhenty Vellappan Nair, [[M. S. Viswanathan]], [[A. T. Ummer]], [[R. K. Shekhar]], [[Salil Chowdhury]] and lyricists like [[Thirunainar Kurichi Madhavan Nair]], [[Mankombu Gopalakrishnan]] and Bharanikkavu Sivakumar, numerous everlasting and hit songs were delivered to the music lovers. The soft melodious music and high quality lyrics were the highlights of these songs.

[[K. J. Yesudas]], who debuted in 1961, virtually revolutionised the Malayalam film music industry and became the most popular Malayalam singer ever along with [[K. S. Chithra]]. The trio of [[Vayalar]], [[G. Devarajan]] and Yesudas also made unforgettable songs like the earlier trio of Kamukara, Tirunainaarkurichy and Brother Laxmanan. Yesudas became equally popular with classical music audience and people who patronised film music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=K.J. Yesudas |url=http://archives.chennaionline.com/musicseason99/profile/yesudas.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230003828/http://archives.chennaionline.com/musicseason99/profile/yesudas.html |archive-date=30 December 2011 |access-date=2 January 2009 |publisher=Chennai Online}}</ref> He along with [[P. Jayachandran]] gave a major face-lift to Malayalam playback singing in the 1960s and 1970s. [[K. S. Chithra]] debuted in 1979, and by the mid-eighties, she became the most sought after female singer in [[South India]].

By the late 1970s, the trends in music started changing and more rhythm oriented songs with a western touch came with the dominance of music directors like [[Shyam (composer)|Shyam]], K. J. Joy, and [[Jerry Amaldev]]. The lyricists were forced to write lyrics according to the tune in these days and were often criticised for quality issues. However, from 1979 to 1980, the revolutionary music director [[Raveendran]] along with [[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]] and [[M. G. Radhakrishnan]] led the second reformation of Malayalam film music by creating melodious and classical oriented music with the soul of the culture of Kerala. Lyricists like [[Poovachal Khader]], [[Kavalam Narayana Panicker]] and [[Bichu Thirumala]] in the 1980s and [[Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri]], [[V. Madhusoodanan Nair]] and [[Girish Puthenchery]] in the 1990s were part of this musical success.  Contributions from [[Kannur Rajan]], [[Ravi (composer)|Ravi]], [[S. P. Venkatesh]], [[Mohan Sithara]], [[Ouseppachan]], [[Sharreth|Sharath]], Vidyadharan, Raghukumar and [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]] were also notable in this period. [[K. J. Yesudas]] and [[K. S. Chithra]] and singers like [[M. G. Sreekumar]], [[G. Venugopal]], [[Radhika Thilak]], [[Unni Menon]] and [[Sujatha Mohan]] were also active then. A notable aspect in the later years was the extensive of classical [[carnatic music]] in many film songs of the 1980s and 1990s. Classical Carnatic music was heavily used in films like ''[[Chithram]]'' (1988), ''[[His Highness Abdullah]]'' (1990), ''[[Bharatham]]'' (1991), ''[[Sargam (1992 film)|Sargam]]'' (1992), ''[[Kudumbasametham]]'' (1992), ''[[Sopanam (film)|Sopanam]]'' (1993) etc.

At present, the major players in the scene are composers like [[A. R. Rahman]], [[M. Jayachandran]], [[Bijibal]], [[Deepak Dev]], [[Rex Vijayan]], [[Jakes Bejoy]], [[Rahul Raj]], [[Prashant Pillai]], [[Shaan Rahman]], [[Sushin Shyam]], [[Gopi Sundar]], [[Alphons Joseph]], [[Rajesh Murugesan]], [[Jassie Gift]], [[Shahabaz Aman]], [[Vishnu Vijay]], lyricists [[Rafeeq Ahamed]], [[Anwar Ali (poet)|Anwar Ali]], B. K. Harinarayanan, [[Vinayak Sasikumar]], [[Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma|Sarath]] and [[Anil Panachooran]], and singers [[Vineeth Sreenivasan]], [[Shreya Ghoshal]], [[Shankar Mahadevan]], [[Vijay Yesudas]], [[Shweta Mohan]], [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Naresh Iyer]], [[Manjari (Indian singer)|Manjari]], [[Haricharan]], [[Shahabaz Aman]][[Sithara (singer)|, Sithara Krishnakumar]], [[Vaikom Vijayalakshmi]], K. S. Harisankar, [[Sayanora Philip]], [[Benny Dayal]] and [[Jyotsna Radhakrishnan]], along with stalwarts in the field.

Young composers like [[Deepak Dev]], [[Rex Vijayan]], [[Rahul Raj]], [[Jakes Bejoy]], [[Sushin Shyam]], and [[Prashant Pillai]] are not only known for their catchy tunes, but also for bringing in a lot of electronics, digital sound and a variety of genres in Malayalam film scores and songs.<ref>[http://www.malayalammusic.com/php/showNews.php?newsid=110&linkid=34 CONTRIBUTE ARTICLES/REVIEWS&nbsp;– The healing power of Music &n] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130128053913/http://www.malayalammusic.com/php/showNews.php?newsid=110&linkid=34 |date=28 January 2013 }}. Malayalammusic.com. Retrieved on 29 July 2013.</ref>

The [[National Film Award for Best Music Direction|National Award-winning music composers]] of Malayalam cinema are [[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]] (1994, 1995), [[Ravi (composer)|Ravi]] (1995), [[Ouseppachan]] (2008), [[Ilaiyaraaja]] (2010), [[Isaac Thomas Kottukapally]] (2011), [[Bijibal]] (2012) and [[M. Jayachandran]] (2016). Until 2009, the 1995 National Award that Johnson received for the [[film score]] of ''Sukrutham'' (1994) was the only instance in the history of the award in which the awardee composed the [[Soundtrack]] rather than its [[Playback singer]]. He shared that award with Bombay Ravi, who received the award for composing songs for the same film. In 2010 and 2011, the awards given to film scores were won by Malayalam films: ''[[Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (film)|Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja]]'' ([[Ilaiyaraaja]]) and ''[[Adaminte Makan Abu]]'' ([[Isaac Thomas Kottukapally]]). [[Raveendran]] also received a [[National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film)|Special Mention]] in 1991 for composing songs for the film ''[[Bharatham]]''.

The [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics|lyricists who have won the National Award]] are [[Vayalar Ramavarma]] (1973), [[O. N. V. Kurup]] (1989) and [[Yusufali Kechery]] (2001). The [[National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer|male singers who have received the National Award]] are [[K. J. Yesudas]] (1973, 1974, 1988, 1992, 1994, 2017), [[P. Jayachandran]] (1986) and [[M. G. Sreekumar]] (1991, 2000). Yesudas has won two more National Awards for singing in [[Hindi]] (1977) and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] (1983) films, which makes him the person who has won the most [[National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer]], with eight. The female singers who have won the [[National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer|award]] are [[S. Janaki]] (1981) and [[K. S. Chithra]] (1987, 1989). Chitra had also won the award for Tamil (1986, 1997, 2005) and Hindi (1998) film songs, which makes her the person with the most [[National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer]] awards, six times.

== Landmark films ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Director
!Notes
!{{abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
|1928
|''[[Vigathakumaran]]''
| [[J. C. Daniel]]
| First Malayalam feature film. Production started in 1928, and it was released at the Capitol Theatre in [[Thiruvananthapuram]] on 23 October 1930. It was produced and directed by J. C. Daniel, a businessman with no prior film experience, who is credited as the father of Malayalam cinema
|<ref>{{Cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=3 March 2013 |title='Vigathakumaran' did not face caste hostility: Adoor |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/vigathakumaran-did-not-face-caste-hostility-adoor/article4471382.ece |access-date=8 November 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304183211/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/vigathakumaran-did-not-face-caste-hostility-adoor/article4471382.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1933
|''[[Marthanda Varma (film)|Marthanda Varma]]''
| [[P.V. Rao]]
| First copyright case in Indian film industry as well as literature publishing of Kerala
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijayakumar |first=B. |date=27 January 2013 |title=Old is Gold: Marthanda Varma, 1931 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/old-is-gold-marthanda-varma-1931/article4350814.ece |access-date=8 November 2016 |archive-date=30 November 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141130034828/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/old-is-gold-marthanda-varma-1931/article4350814.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1938
|''[[Balan (film)|Balan]]''
| [[S. Nottani]]
| First talkie in Malayalam. Directed by [[S. Nottani]], this movie was the first commercially successful film
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Staff Reporter |date=28 May 2013 |title=Celebrating 75th anniversary of Balan, the first Malayalam talkie |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/celebrating-75th-anniversary-of-balan-the-first-malayalam-talkie/article4756706.ece |access-date=8 November 2016 |archive-date=14 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614004752/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/celebrating-75th-anniversary-of-balan-the-first-malayalam-talkie/article4756706.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1948
|''[[Nirmala (1948 film)|Nirmala]]''
| P. V. Krishna Iyer
|Introduced playback singing in Malayalam cinema
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 April 2008 |title=Tribute : Family affair |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/04/25/stories/2008042550380400.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=30 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501171204/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/04/25/stories/2008042550380400.htm |archive-date=1 May 2008}}</ref>
|-
|1951
|''[[Jeevitha Nouka]]''
|K. Vembu
|First [[Blockbuster (entertainment)|Blockbuster]] at the Kerala box office
|<ref>{{Cite book |last=Thoraval |first=Yves |title=The cinemas of India (Les Cinemas de L lnde) |publisher=Macmillan India |year=1998 |isbn=0-333-93410-5 |location=France |language=fr}}</ref>
|-
|1954
|''[[Neelakuyil]]''
|[[P. Bhaskaran]]<br />[[Ramu Kariat]]
|First Malayalam film to win a [[National Film Awards|National Film Award]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=B. Vijayakumar |date=25 October 2008 |title=Neelakuyil 1954 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/neelakuyil-1954/article1427604.ece |website=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=1 August 2020 |archive-date=16 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016055336/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/neelakuyil-1954/article1427604.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="malayalamcinema1" />
|-
|rowspan="2" | 1955
|''[[C.I.D. (1955 film)|C.I.D.]]''
|[[M. Krishnan Nair (director)|M. Krishnan Nair]]
|First [[Crime fiction|crime thriller]] film in Malayalam
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijayakumar |first=B. |date=2014-09-28 |title=Panchathantram: 1974 |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/panchathantram-1974/article6452869.ece |access-date=2021-07-11 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711113303/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/panchathantram-1974/article6452869.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|''[[Newspaper Boy (1955 film)|Newspaper Boy]]''
|[[P. Ramdas]]
|First [[Italian neorealism|neo realistic]] film in [[Malayalam]]
|<ref name="thehindu-1">{{Cite web |date=20 May 2005 |title=Newspaper Boy:' a flashback to the Fifties |url=http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/05/20/stories/2005052003150200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018215220/http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/05/20/stories/2005052003150200.htm |archive-date=18 October 2015 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|1960
|''Poothaali''
|P. Subramanyam
|The first film to use a double role in Malayalam cinema. [[TK Balachandran]] is the actor who played the first double role in Malayalam cinema throughout this movie.
|
|-
|1961
|''[[Kandam Bacha Coat]]''
|Shiyas Chennattu
|First [[colour film]] in Malayalam cinema.
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 November 2008 |title=Columns : KANDAM BACHA COATU 1961 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/11/08/stories/2008110853011100.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=30 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021184224/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/11/08/stories/2008110853011100.htm |archive-date=21 October 2010}}</ref>
|-
|1964
|''[[Bhargavi Nilayam]]''
|[[A. Vincent]]
|First [[horror film]] in Malayalam cinema.
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=kikvn |date=4 September 2006 |title=MACTA to remake 'Bhargavi Nilayam' |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/04/stories/2006090400560200.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=30 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070321172400/http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/04/stories/2006090400560200.htm |archive-date=21 March 2007}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|1965
|''[[Chemmeen]]''
|[[Ramu Kariat]]
|First Malayalam as well as South Indian film to win the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film]], and the first film to participate in an international film festival
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 November 2005 |title='Chemmeen' is 40 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/16/stories/2005111602080200.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=30 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418040955/http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/16/stories/2005111602080200.htm |archive-date=18 April 2007}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Murappennu]]''
|[[A. Vincent]]
|First film to be shot [[Location shooting|outdoors]]
|<ref name="mtvasudevannair1">{{Cite web |title=Notes |url=http://mtvasudevannair.com/php/showNews.php?newsid=13&linkid=5 |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Mtvasudevannair.com |archive-date=28 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028085924/http://www.mtvasudevannair.com/php/showNews.php?newsid=13&linkid=5 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1967
|''[[Chithramela]]''
|T. S. Muthiah
|First [[anthology film]]
|<ref>B. Vijayakumar. (19 June 2011). [http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2115673.ece "CHITRAMELA 1967"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623190422/http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2115673.ece |date=23 June 2011 }}. ''[[The Hindu]]''. Retrieved 11 July 2011.</ref>
|-
|1972
|''[[Swayamvaram (1972 film)|Swayamvaram]]''
|[[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]]
|Pioneered "new-wave cinema movement" in Malayalam; first Malayalam film to win the [[National Film Award for Best Direction]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajmohan |title=Interview: Adoor |url=http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/adoor_df4.html |access-date=30 December 2008 |publisher=Cinemaofmalayalam.net |archive-date=18 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218063549/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/adoor_df4.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1974
|''[[Kanchana Sita]]''
|[[G. Aravindan]]
|Pioneered [[independent filmmaking]] in South India{{clarify|date=May 2016}}
|<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jayaram |first=S. B. |title=Aravindan and His Films |publisher=Chalachitra |year=1992 |location=Trivandrum |pages=1–36 |oclc=33983644}}</ref>
|-
|1978
|''[[Thacholi Ambu]]''
|[[Navodaya Appachan]]
|First [[CinemaScope]] film in Malayalam and also the first Malayalam film to gross more than 1 crore at the box office.
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shivpprasadh |first=S. |date=10 May 2012 |title=He cast a 3-D spell |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/he-cast-a-3d-spell/article3404301.ece |access-date=8 November 2016 |archive-date=17 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117203604/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/he-cast-a-3d-spell/article3404301.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1981
|''[[Oridathoru Phayalvaan]]''
|[[P. Padmarajan]]
|First Malayalam Film won International awards, by winning Best Film and Best Screenplay at 27th Asian Film Festival (1982)
|
|-
|1982
|''[[Padayottam (1982 film)|Padayottam]]''
|[[Jijo Punnoose]]
|First [[70mm film]] in South India
|<ref name="Adipapam">{{Cite web |last=R. Ayyappan |date=1 January 2000 |title=Sleaze time, folks |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jan/24mallu.htm |access-date=14 April 2011 |website=[[Rediff.com]] |archive-date=4 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204191304/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jan/24mallu.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1984
|''[[My Dear Kuttichathan]]''
|[[Jijo Punnoose]]
|First [[3D film]] in India. This is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy film directed by [[Jijo Punnoose]] and produced by his father [[Navodaya Appachan]] under [[Navodaya Studio]]. It was the first Indian film to be filmed in 3D format.
|<ref name="thssk" />
|-
|1986
|''[[Amma Ariyan]]''
| [[John Abraham (director)|John Abraham]]
| First Malayalam film produced by collecting funds from the public and the only [[South India]]n film to feature in British Film Institute's Top 10 Indian Films list
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=P. K. Ajith |date=24 October 2011 |title=After Amma Ariyan, a new role |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/after-amma-ariyan-a-new-role/article2566499.ece |access-date=8 November 2016 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308060554/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/after-amma-ariyan-a-new-role/article2566499.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Top 10 Indian Films |publisher=[[British Film Institute]]. |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/poll/india/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515101729/http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/poll/india/ |archive-date=15 May 2011}}</ref>
|-
|1993
|''[[O' Faby]]''
| [[Sreekumar Krishnan Nair|K. Sreekuttan]]
| India's first live-action/animation hybrid film
|.<ref name="aiswaryatanish-1">{{Cite web |title=Of Faby and his father Interview with Director K. Sreekkuttan |url=http://www.aiswaryatanish.com/of-faby-and-his-father-interview-with-director-k-sreekkuttan/ |publisher=Aiswarya Tanish |access-date=22 January 2018 |archive-date=26 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126213703/http://www.aiswaryatanish.com/of-faby-and-his-father-interview-with-director-k-sreekkuttan |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1994
|''[[Swaham]]''
|[[Shaji N. Karun]]
| First Malayalam film to compete for the [[Palme d'Or]] at the [[Cannes Film Festival]]
|{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
|-
|1997
|''[[Guru (1997 film)|Guru]]''
|[[Rajiv Anchal]]
|First Malayalam film to be submitted as [[India's official entry to the Oscars]] to be considered for nomination in the [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] category
|<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/mar/16guru.htm Rediff On The Net, Movies: An interview with Rajeev Anchal, director of the Oscar-nominated Guru] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502130223/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/mar/16guru.htm |date=2 May 2013 }}. Rediff.com (16 March 1998). Retrieved on 29 July 2013.</ref>
|-
|2000
|[[Millennium Stars]]
|[[Jayaraj]]
|First Malayalam film released in this millennium. 
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=MalayalaSangeetham.Info |title=Millenium Stars [2000] {{!}} മില്ലേനിയം സ്റ്റാര്‍സ്‌ [2000] |url=https://malayalasangeetham.info/m.php?914 |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=malayalasangeetham.info |language=Malayalam}}</ref>
|-
| 2005
|''[[Athbhutha Dweepu]]''
|[[Vinayan]]
|The film was given an entry into the [[Guinness Book of Records]] for casting the most dwarves in a single film, and its lead actor [[Ajaykumar]] was given an entry for being the shortest actor to play the lead in the history of cinema.
|<ref>{{Cite news |title=Undapakru, shortest actor |url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/14264/Undapakru-shortest-actor.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705232149/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/14264/Undapakru-shortest-actor.html |archive-date=5 July 2008}}</ref>
|-
|2006
|''[[Moonnamathoral]]''
| [[V. K. Prakash]]
|First Malayalam digital movie, and first high-definition (HD) cinema to be digitally distributed to theatres via satellite
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=P. K. Ajith |date=1 September 2006 |title=Change of scene |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/change-of-scene/article3230538.ece |access-date=8 November 2016 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308161144/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/change-of-scene/article3230538.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2008
|''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]''
|[[Joshiy]]
| First Malayalam film to cross ₹25 and ₹30 crores gross collection from theatres
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/malayalam-movies-what-was-the-biggest-malayalam-hit-in-the-year-you-were-born-mohanlal-mammootty-prithviraj-fazil |title=What Was the Biggest Malayalam Hit in the Year You Were Born? |date=19 July 2020 |access-date=22 September 2024 |archive-date=26 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826064819/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/malayalam-movies-what-was-the-biggest-malayalam-hit-in-the-year-you-were-born-mohanlal-mammootty-prithviraj-fazil |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2009
|''[[Pazhassi Raja (2009 film)|Pazhassi Raja]]''
|[[Hariharan (director)|Hariharan]]
|First Malayalam film to get a [[home video]] release in [[Blu-ray]] format
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mammotty's Pazhassi Raja, the first Malayalam film on Blu&nbsp;–Ray! |url=http://www.southscope.in/malayalam/news/mammottys-pazhassi-raja-first-malayalam-film-blu-%E2%80%93ray |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104218/http://www.southscope.in/malayalam/news/mammottys-pazhassi-raja-first-malayalam-film-blu-%E2%80%93ray |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=19 October 2014 |publisher=Southscope.in |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|-
|2012
| ''[[Grandmaster (2012 film)|Grandmaster]]''
| [[B. Unnikrishnan]]
|First Malayalam film to release with [[Subtitle (captioning)|subtitles]] (English) in outside Kerala, in other than film festival screenings.<br />First Malayalam film to release on [[Netflix]].
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moviebuzz |date=14 May 2014 |title=Malayalam films to come with English subtitles |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-films-to-come-with-english-subtitles-news-malayalam-ofojSubhdadsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613171752/http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-films-to-come-with-english-subtitles-news-malayalam-ofojSubhdadsi.html |archive-date=13 June 2014 |access-date=8 May 2016 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>
|-
|2013
|''[[Drishyam]]''
|[[Jeethu Joseph]]
|First Malayalam film to cross ₹50 crores gross collection from theatres
|<ref name="crore" />
|-
|2016
|''[[Pulimurugan]]''
|[[Vysakh]]
| First Malayalam film to cross ₹100 and ₹150 crores gross collection from theatres
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2016 |title=Mohanlal's Pulimurugan becomes first Malayalam film to gross over 100 crore rupees |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/071116/mohanlals-pulimurugan-becomes-first-malayalam-film-to-gross-over-100-crore-rupees.html |website=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724155937/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/071116/mohanlals-pulimurugan-becomes-first-malayalam-film-to-gross-over-100-crore-rupees.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=2| 2020
| ''[[Fourth River]]''
| [[RK DreamWest]]
| First Malayalam film to be released directly on the [[Over-the-top media service|over-the-top]] (OTT) platform
| <ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-19 |title=ആദ്യമായി ഡിജിറ്റൽ റിലീസിനെത്തുന്ന മലയാള സിനിമയാവാൻ 'നാലാം നദി'; പ്രദർശനം ആമസോൺ പ്രൈമിൽ |url=https://malayalam.news18.com/news/film/fourth-river-aka-naalam-nadi-is-the-first-malayalam-cinema-to-have-a-digital-release-mm-238451.html |access-date=2021-07-05 |website=News18 Malayalam |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613082334/https://malayalam.news18.com/news/film/fourth-river-aka-naalam-nadi-is-the-first-malayalam-cinema-to-have-a-digital-release-mm-238451.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[C U Soon]]''
| [[Mahesh Narayanan]]
| India's first [[computer screen film]]
| <ref>Desk, Online (25 August 2020). "WATCH 'C U Soon' trailer is here! Fahadh Faasil, Roshan Mathew mystery thriller looks promising". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |2021
|''[[Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam]]''
|[[Don Palathara]]
|First Malayalam film as the entire movie is of an 85 minute [[One-shot film|single shot]]
|
|-
|''[[Kurup (film)|Kurup]]''
| Srinath Rajendran
|First Indian film to have [[Non-fungible token]] (NFT) collectibles.
|<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Kurup to be released in five languages - The New Indian Express|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2021/Jan/02/kurup-to-be-released-in-five-languages-2244169.html|access-date=4 November 2021|website=www.newindianexpress.com|date=5 January 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kurup becomes the First Indian Film to Launch NFT Collectibles|url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/business/2021/10/21/pwr36-m-star-entertainments.html|access-date=4 November 2021|website=The Week}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Minnal Murali]]''
|[[Basil Joseph]]
|First [[Superhero film]] of Malayalam cinema
|
|-
|rowspan=2| 2022
|''[[Vazhiye]]''
|[[Nirmal Baby Varghese]]
|First [[found footage (film genre)|Found footage]] film of Malayalam cinema
|<ref name="The Hindu">{{Cite news |last=Shilpa Nair Anand |date=1 December 2020 |title='Vazhiye': A 'found footage' film in Malayalam |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vazhiye-one-of-the-first-found-footage-films-in-malayalam-is-ready/article33221726.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125172150/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vazhiye-one-of-the-first-found-footage-films-in-malayalam-is-ready/article33221726.ece |archive-date=25 January 2021 |access-date=23 March 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Ela Veezha Poonchira]]''
|Shahi Kabir
|First movie to release in 4k Dolby HDR {{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2024
| ''[[Bramayugam]]''
|[[Rahul Sadasivan]]
|First [[monochrome]] film in India to cross ₹50 crores gross collection from theatres
|
|-
|''[[Manjummel Boys]]''
|[[Chidambaram S. Poduval|Chidambaram]]
|First Malayalam film to cross ₹200 crores gross collection from theatres
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2025
|''[[L2: Empuraan]]''
|[[Prithviraj Sukumaran]]
|First Malayalam film to release in [[IMAX]] and [[Qube Cinema Technologies|EPIQ]] resolutions. First Malayalam film to cross the milestone of ₹250.
|
|-
|''[[Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra]]''
|[[Dominic Arun]]
|First Superheroine film of Indian and Malayalam cinema and first Malayalam film to cross {{INR|300 crores}} in box office collection.
|<ref>{{cite news |last=Das |first=Santanu |date=5 September 2025 |title=Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra marks the arrival of a powerful female superhero and a landmark win for Malayalam cinema |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/lokah-chapter-1-chandra-marks-the-arrival-of-a-female-superhero-for-the-ages-kalyani-naslen-dominic-arun-101756999285560.html |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=9 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Das |first=Santanu |date=5 September 2025 |title=Priyanka Chopra hails Dulquer Salmaan-backed 'Lokah Chapter 1': 'India's first female superhero is here' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/priyanka-chopra-hails-dulquer-salmaan-backed-lokah-chapter-1-indias-first-female-superhero-is-here-see-inside/articleshow/123722397.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=9 September 2025}}</ref>
|}

== Kerala State Film Awards ==
{{Main|Kerala State Film Awards}}
The Kerala State Film Awards<ref>{{Cite web |title=AWARDS – Kerala Chalachitra Academy |url=http://www.keralafilm.com/index.php/awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311122402/http://www.keralafilm.com/index.php/awards |archive-date=11 March 2014 |access-date=11 March 2014}}</ref> are given to motion pictures made in the [[Malayalam]] language. The awards have been bestowed by [[Kerala State Chalachitra Academy]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=HOME&nbsp;– Kerala Chalachitra Academy |url=http://www.keralafilm.com/ |website=keralafilm.com |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=29 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329122233/http://www.keralafilm.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> since 1998 on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the [[government of Kerala]]. The awards were started in 1969. The awardees are decided by an independent jury formed by the academy and the Department of Cultural Affairs. The jury usually consists of personalities from the film field. For the awards for literature on cinema, a separate jury is formed. The academy annually invites films for the award and the jury analyses the films before deciding the winners. The awards intend to promote films with artistic values and encourage artists and technicians.

== International Film Festival of Kerala ==
{{Main|International Film Festival of Kerala}}
The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is held annually in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], the capital city of Kerala. It was started in 1996 and is organised by [[Kerala State Chalachitra Academy]] on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the State Government. It is held in November/December every year and is acknowledged as one of the leading film festivals in India.<ref name="Hindu-Festival">{{Cite news |last=Saraswathy Nagarajan |date=6 December 2012 |title=Best of world cinema |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/best-of-world-cinema/article4170669.ece |access-date=10 March 2014 |archive-date=9 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309171246/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/best-of-world-cinema/article4170669.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Film studios ==
Today, most of the film studios are located in [[Kochi]], where the majority of the pre- and post-film production works are conducted. All the major film production companies in the Malayalam film industry, including [[Aashirvad Cinemas]], [[Friday Film House]], [[Kokers Media Entertainments]], [[Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments]], [[Prithviraj Productions]], are located in [[Kochi]].

The Travancore National Pictures<ref>{{Cite web |title=J C Daniel |url=http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/jcdaniel.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606225929/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/jcdaniel.html |archive-date=6 June 2009 |access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref> was the first film studio in Kerala. It was established by [[J. C. Daniel]] in 1926 in [[Thiruvananthapuram]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 January 2013 |title=The Kerala Movie Studio Legacy&nbsp;– JC Daniel's The Travancore National Pictures&nbsp;– OLD MALAYALAM CINEMA |url=https://oldmalayalamcinema.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/the-kerala-movie-studio-legacy-jc-daniels-the-travancore-national-pictures/#more-12550 |website=OLD MALAYALAM CINEMA |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=11 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311135547/https://oldmalayalamcinema.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/the-kerala-movie-studio-legacy-jc-daniels-the-travancore-national-pictures/#more-12550 |url-status=live }}</ref> which was then a part of [[Travancore]]. Producer-director [[Kunchacko]] and film distributor K. V. Koshy established [[Udaya Studios]] in [[Alappuzha]] in 1947.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official website of INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT |url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/malayalamcinemamore.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412153224/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/malayalamcinemamore.htm |archive-date=12 April 2014 |website=kerala.gov.in}}</ref> The studio influenced the gradual shift of Malayalam film industry from its original base of [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]] to Kerala. In 1951, [[P. Subramaniam]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 January 2009 |title=Visionary and entrepreneur |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/visionary-and-entrepreneur/article656778.ece |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=11 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311134344/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/visionary-and-entrepreneur/article656778.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> established [[Merryland Studio]] in [[Nemom]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. The other major studios are Sreekrishna (1952, [[Thiruvananthapuram]]), Ajantha<ref>{{Cite news |last=K. PRADEEP |date=28 February 2013 |title=The story of a studio |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-story-of-a-studio/article4462256.ece |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=11 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311140104/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-story-of-a-studio/article4462256.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> (1958, Keezhmadu&nbsp;– now extinct), Chithralekha<ref>{{Cite web |title=www.keralahistory.ac.in |url=http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/malayalacinema.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711051935/http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/malayalacinema.htm |archive-date=11 July 2010 |access-date=11 March 2014 |website=keralahistory.ac.in}}</ref> (1965, [[Aakkulam]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]]), Uma Studio<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baiju Chandran |date=28 November 2013 |title=The Capital of cinema |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-capital-of-cinema/article5401273.ece |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-date=11 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311140101/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-capital-of-cinema/article5401273.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> (1975, [[Thiruvananthapuram]]), [[Navodaya Studio|Navodaya]], Kochi <ref name="chithranjali.in">{{Cite web |title=Untitled Page |url=http://www.chithranjali.in/main.aspx |access-date=22 October 2016 |archive-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115202114/http://chithranjali.in/main.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> (1978, [[Thrikkakkara]], [[Kochi]]) and [[Chitranjali Studio]]<ref name="chithranjali.in" /> (1980, [[Thiruvananthapuram]]).

== Organisations ==
The [[Association of Malayalam Movie Artists]] (A.M.M.A) is an association of Malayalam film actors and artists based in [[Kochi]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malayalamcinema.com, Official website of AMMA, Malayalam Film news, Malayalam Movie Actors & Actress, Upcoming Malayalam movies |url=http://www.malayalamcinema.com/ |website=malayalamcinema.com |access-date=16 August 2012 |archive-date=23 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223132036/http://malayalamcinema.com/Content-4/CinemaHistory.html |url-status=live }}</ref> is an organisation formed by artists of Malayalam cinema. It aims to act against piracy, to safeguard the interests of member actors and actresses, and to serve as a common forum to raise concerns and address issues. The activities of AMMA include endowments, insurance schemes, and committees on wages and benefits on revision, funds for research, pensions, and education loans for the children of the members. The organisation ventured into film production in 2008 with ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]'' to raise funds for its activities.<ref>{{Citation |last=The Hindu |title=AMMA office-bearers assume charge |date=June 2006 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/26/stories/2006062608990400.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=25 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222022219/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/26/stories/2006062608990400.htm |url-status=dead |place=Chennai, India |archive-date=2007-12-22}}</ref>

Organisations such as Kerala Film Producers Association, Kerala Film Distributors Association, Kerala Cine Exhibitors Federation, Hyperlink Film Club and Kerala Film Exhibitors Association have coordinated work stoppages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Hindu Business Line : No show: Cinema bandh total in Kerala |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/02/13/stories/2004021300401700.htm |website=thehindubusinessline.com |access-date=1 December 2007 |archive-date=6 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706013618/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/02/13/stories/2004021300401700.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|India|Bollywood}}
* [[List of highest-grossing Malayalam films]]
* [[List of Malayalam film actors]]
* [[New generation (Malayalam film movement)]]
* [[Malayalam softcore pornography]]
* [[Cinema of South India]]
* [[List of cinema of the world]]
* [[Lists of Malayalam films]]
* [[:Category:Film production companies of Kerala]]
* [[K. R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
* {{Cite book |last=Chandran |first=VP |title=Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus – 2019 |publisher=P. V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Limited, Kozhikode |year=2018 |edition=Malayalam |location=Kozhikode}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}

{{National Film Award Best Feature Film Malayalam}}
{{Malayalam films|horiz}}
{{Cinema of India}}
{{World cinema|state=collapsed}}
{{Kerala topics|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Malayalam cinema| ]]
[[Category:Indian film industries]]