The first Malayalam film, "Balan," was released in 1938, marking the beginning of the industry. However, it was not until the 1950s and 1960s that Malayalam cinema started to gain momentum. Films like "Nirmala" (1938), "Savitri" (1946), and "Nokketha Doorathu Kannum Nattu" (1962) were some of the early successes of the industry. These films were primarily based on social issues, mythology, and literature, setting the tone for the types of films that would be made in the years to come.