Lijo’s Jallikattu (2019), for instance, is a visceral, primal tale of a buffalo’s escape, transformed into a metaphor for the uncontrollable chaos within human society, while also referencing the controversial bull-taming sport of the same name. This period has also seen a bold exploration of sexuality, faith, and mental health—topics once considered taboo. The anthology Aanum Pennum (2021) and the film Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam (2022) experiment with identity and cultural hybridity, reflecting the globalised yet deeply rooted nature of contemporary Keralites. To understand Kerala culture is to understand its cinema, and vice versa. Malayalam cinema is not an escape from reality but a deep engagement with it. It captures the state’s paradoxes—high literacy alongside deep-seated caste prejudices, progressive politics alongside domestic patriarchy, breathtaking natural beauty alongside ecological degradation. As Kerala continues to navigate the currents of globalisation, migration, and technological change, its cinema remains the most faithful and articulate chronicler of its cultural journey. In the hands of its writers and directors, the camera does not simply record; it reflects, questions, and ultimately, contributes to the evolving story of the Malayali.

The industry has also served as a chronicler of political violence and corruption. Vidheyan (The Servant, 1994) is a chilling allegory of absolute power and feudal slavery. More recently, Aavasavyuham (The Arbitrary Sign, 2022) and Jana Gana Mana (2022) have used speculative fiction and courtroom drama to interrogate state surveillance and communal tensions. This willingness to critique power structures—including the powerful Left and Right political formations—demonstrates how cinema partakes in Kerala’s robust public sphere. The 2010s witnessed a ‘new wave’ or ‘second coming’ of Malayalam cinema, which has further deepened its cultural relevance. This era, marked by low-budget, content-driven films, has dismantled the conventional star system. Filmmakers like Dileesh Pothan, Lijo Jose Pellissery, and Mahesh Narayanan have pushed narrative boundaries.

Malayalam cinema, often hailed as one of the most nuanced and realistic film industries in India, shares a symbiotic and deeply reflexive relationship with the culture of Kerala. It is not merely a source of entertainment but a vibrant cultural artefact that simultaneously reflects, critiques, and shapes the unique socio-political landscape of the state. From its early mythological roots to its current ‘new wave’ of realism, Malayalam cinema has functioned as a mirror to Kerala’s soul—its language, politics, social nuances, and ecological sensibilities. The Cultural Palette: Language, Land, and Lifestyle At its most fundamental level, Malayalam cinema is an authentic repository of the Malayali way of life. The use of the Malayalam language, with its distinct dialects—from the Thiruvananthapuram slang to the Muslim Mappila dialect of Malabar—grounds films in regional specificity. Unlike many other Indian film industries that often lean on a standardised, urban vernacular, Malayalam films celebrate linguistic diversity.

Classic films like Elippathayam (The Rat Trap, 1982) allegorised the collapse of the feudal Nair tharavad (ancestral home), capturing the psychological decay of a class rendered obsolete by land reforms. Similarly, Mathilukal (The Walls, 1989), based on Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s novel, poignantly explores love and freedom against the backdrop of a prison, reflecting Kerala’s literary-political consciousness. This tradition continues today with films like Kumbalangi Nights (2019), which deconstructs toxic masculinity within a dysfunctional family, or The Great Indian Kitchen (2021), a scathing critique of patriarchal structures embedded in the daily ritual of cooking and domestic labour. Through such narratives, cinema becomes a catalyst for public discourse on gender, caste, and class—issues central to contemporary Kerala culture. Kerala’s high political awareness finds a powerful outlet in its cinema. Unlike in many other states, Malayalam films do not shy away from engaging with ideological conflicts. Early films like Murappennu (1965) touched upon caste oppression, while later works like Ore Kadal (2007) and Munnariyippu (2014) explored complex moral and political landscapes.