Malayalam cinema began in the 1920s, with the first film, "Balu" (1929), being a silent movie. The first talkie, "Balaan" (1938), was released in 1938. The golden era of Malayalam cinema was from the 1950s to the 1970s, with films like "Nokketha Doorathu Kannum Nattu" (1962) and "Chemmeen" (1965). These films showcased the social and cultural realities of Kerala, the state where Malayalam is spoken.