Malayalam cinema began with J. C. Daniel’s silent feature Vigathakumaran (1928), which notably focused on social drama rather than the mythological themes prevalent in other Indian industries at the time.

Malayalam cinema is a rich field of study, particularly for its deep ties to Kerala's high literacy rates, strong literary traditions, and evolving social structures. Below are some of the most insightful papers and scholarly works that explore the intersection of Malayalam film and culture.

Over the last decade, with the global success of films like Kumbalangi Nights (2019), Jallikattu (2019), The Great Indian Kitchen (2021), and 2018 (2023), the world has finally woken up to what Keralites have always known. Malayalam cinema is arguably the most intellectually sophisticated, culturally rooted, and socially progressive film industry in India. To understand the films, you must understand the culture; and to understand the culture, you must watch the films.