Formally began with the first silent film, Vigathakumaran (1928), directed by J.C. Daniel , known as the father of Malayalam cinema. The first talkie, Balan , followed in 1938.
Meanwhile, The Great Indian Kitchen (2021) was a cultural grenade. It stripped bare the ritualized patriarchy of the Nair tharavad and the Hindu temple, exposing the daily grind of a woman’s life as a servitude masquerading as tradition. The film’s impact extended beyond the screen, sparking real-world debates on social media, in households, and even political manifestos. Once again, cinema had become a tool for active cultural change, forcing a society to confront its domestic hypocrisies.
Scene 13 is noted for its focus on a romantic encounter between a protagonist, often referred to as "Mallu Aunty," and her love interest in a secluded setting. Atmosphere