Malayalam cinema was born in the 1920s, with the first film, Balan , released in 1930. However, it was the 1950s and 1960s that marked the beginning of the Golden Age of Malayalam cinema. Filmmakers like G. R. Rao, P. A. Thomas, and Ramu Kariat created movies that showcased Kerala's culture, traditions, and social issues. These films laid the foundation for the industry's future growth and established Malayalam cinema as a distinct entity.