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.
Since the early 2010s, a "New Generation" movement has revitalized the industry with fresh themes and unconventional techniques. (PDF) Decoding Hegemonic Masculinity and Patriarchal Family
have redefined storytelling by focusing on character depth rather than formulaic plot points. 2. A Mirror to Kerala’s Culture