The history of Malayalam cinema dates back to the 1920s, when the first silent film, , was produced. However, it wasn't until the 1950s that the industry began to gain momentum, with films like Nirmala (1948) and Rathinirvedam (1971) making a significant impact. The 1980s and 1990s saw a surge in popularity, with films like Mammootty's Adoor Gopalakrishnan classics, Swayamvaram (1972), and Mathilukal (1989).