To the land of God, peoples own cinema was first shown in 1906. As a part of a south Indian tour.Paul Vincent from Thiruchirapally(thrichy) reached Kozhikode with his biascope. The first film show in Kerala was held there .In 1907 Paul Vincent sold his bioscope to Varunni Joseph from Kattoor.Joseph built a cinema hall in Thrissur perhaps the first cinema hall in Kerala which was a temporary shed.But during a travel joseph lost his bioscope but he established another company named Royal exhibitors.Before the first film in Malayalam was released Joseph becomes a memory.
1928, J.C Daniel made the first ever film in Malayalam. It was a silent cinema. Daniel was not only the producer but also director and story writer of the film. It was released in Capitol theatre in Thiruvananthapuram. The second film Marthanda Varma was also a silent film, was based on a novel by C.V Raman Pillai.It was produced by Sundar Raj and directed by V.V Rao. But it continued in theatre for only four days and it was stopped by the court due to some copywrite problems with the story.
The Malayalam cinema start speaking in 1938 by the release of the film Balan. There were no other films after Marthanda Varma until Balan was released. The film was directed by Nottani and produced in Madras(chennai) which was the capital of South Indian cinema.Malayalam film remained in chennai until a major film studio,Udaya,was established in 1947 by Kunchakko in Aalappuzha.By then more keralites start involved in cinema.
Another milestone in Malayalam cinema came in 1951. Which was the release of Jeevitha Nauka. It was the first super hit . The film genered drama and spoke the issues in joined family. This movie starred Thikkurussi Sukumaran Nair accellerated Malayalam film industry but most film mimiced Jeevitha Nauka. Soon in 1954 first trend setter Neelakkuyil was released which won silver medal from president and become nationally acclaimed. Another notable film of the Decade was news paper boy which was the product of a group of amature college film makers.
First color film kandam bach coat was released in 1961.The decade then faced some of the poineered works.Generally followed from the literrary works in Malayalam.Even the second Malayalam film Marthanda Varma was also based on the literrary work . such films involve Odayil ninnu, bhargavi nilayam, chemmeen,Murappennu,Iruttinte Aathmavu etc .
The release of Swayamvaram(1972)starred Madhu,Sharatha and Thikkurushi sukumaran nair directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan uplifted Malayalam movie to an international standard.The film nirmalyam by M.T Vasudevan Nair was awarded was the best feature film in National film awards.70’s Also witnessed some of the comercial success which was often starred by M.G soman, Sukumaran and action hero Jayan. These movies Usually told the stories of workingclass.Jayan was considered as the genuine superstar of Malayalam cinema.
A major achievement of Malayalam cinema was Elippathayam by Adoor Gopalakrishnan which won British film Institute award and widely acclaimed.The period also give way for Pathmarajan,Bharathan and John Abraham who by there extraordinary way of film making filled Malayalam cinema with essence of excelence.John Abraham’s Amma ariyan,Vidyarthikale ithile ithile,Cheriyachante krurakrithyangal were some great works that could be remembered.Among them Amma Ariyan was one of the best .John Abraham was considered as living legend of Malayalam cinema not only for his work but also for his living.
These periods were considered as the golden age of Malayalam cinema. It exceed in both comercial and artistic film with anumber of film of both kind. The internationally acclaimed piravi in 1989 by Shaji. N. Karun to which the film was honoured in canes film festival as camera de’or .This period give way to directors like Priyadarshan, Sibimalayil,Fazil,Sathyan Anthikkad,Sidhique,Lal,Kamal,T.V Chandran etc.The Guru directed by Rajiv anchal was choosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars .It was nominated for the best forign film.
In 90’swith directors like Priyadarshan, Sathyan Anthikkad,Sidhique,Lal realistic comedy were the major theme , Malayalam industry was abondoned with such parallel films . The industry also give birth to classics such as Vanaprastham released in 1998 which was a great work by shaji.N.Karun. Also works like Jayaraj’s Desadanam.The great films, among most memorable films like manichithrathazhu by Fazil,Devasuram by I.V Sasi,Kamaladalam,Bharatham by sibimalayil, Vidheyan,Mathilukal by Adoor Gopalakrishnan,ulladakkam by Kamal,kilukkam by Priyadarshan was also released in 90’s.
2000 and the preseading year was a blame for previous history of Malayalam cinema. Cartoonic comedy were dominent and good movie become rare. The problems among film association also accelerated the fall of Malayalam cinema. More action genered films showed up and end up in good for nothing. Some films didn’t showed even an average standard.In a situation Malayalam cinema started loosing its audience.
But a came back was shown with new directors Lal Jose,Roshan Andrews,Blessy,Anwar Rasheed etc. Even though when comparing with its old status Malayalam cinemas is still at a weak point.