The first Malayalam film, , was released in 1938. However, it was not until the 1950s and 1960s that Malayalam cinema gained momentum. This period saw the emergence of legendary filmmakers like G.R. Rao and P.A. Thomas , who made significant contributions to the growth of the industry. The 1980s and 1990s are often referred to as the "Golden Age" of Malayalam cinema, with filmmakers like Adoor Gopalakrishnan , A. K. Gopan , and John Abraham producing some of the most iconic films.