The first Malayalam film, "Balan," was released in 1938, directed by S. Nottanandan. However, it was the film "Mammootty" (1948) that gained widespread recognition. The 1950s saw the rise of films like "Nirmala" (1953) and "Neelakanteswaram" (1954), which showcased the talents of actors like K. R. Meera and Kunchacko.