Malayalam cinema began in 1928 with the release of the film "Balan," directed by S. Nottan. Initially, films were mostly based on Hindu epics and mythological stories. Over the years, the industry evolved, and by the 1950s, films began to focus on social issues, such as caste and social inequality. The 1960s and 1970s saw a rise in the production of literature-based films, which reflected the cultural and intellectual landscape of Kerala.