Malayalam cinema began with J.C. Daniel’s silent film Vigathakumaran (1928) . While other Indian regions focused on mythological epics, Daniel chose a family drama, setting a precedent for "social cinema" that remains a hallmark of the industry.
This period was marked by films that addressed societal anxieties, feudal breakdowns, and the "masculine-dominant discourses" of the time. The Modern "New Wave" and Global Identity
Reflections on film society movement in Keralam - Taylor & Francis
Filmmakers began using Kerala’s geography—its backwaters, paddy fields, and traditional architecture—not just as a backdrop, but as an active element that defined the characters' identities.