: Balan (1938) marked the transition to sound, followed by Nirmala (1948), which introduced playback singing .
The journey began with J. C. Daniel , the "father of Malayalam cinema," who released the first silent feature, Vigathakumaran , in 1930. Unlike other Indian films of the era that focused on mythology, Daniel chose a , a precursor to the industry's future direction. : Balan (1938) marked the transition to sound,
: In the 1950s and 60s, a "love affair" began between Malayalam literature and film. Landmark films like Neelakuyil (1954) and Chemmeen (1965) brought national acclaim, addressing caste discrimination and the complexities of human relationships. The Golden Age and Parallel Cinema (1970s – 1990s) followed by Nirmala (1948)