The 1990s and 2000s saw the rise of a new generation of filmmakers who brought a fresh perspective to Malayalam cinema. Directors like , Mammootty , and Suresh Vinu introduced new themes, such as complex human relationships, politics, and social inequality. Films like Perumazhayire (1990), Devaraagam (1996), and Sallapam (1996) received critical acclaim and commercial success.