Malayalam cinema differs from both Bollywood and Hollywood with its preference for natural beauty as well as its underlying conservatism. These films present the same traditional tropes as Bollywood, such as the importance of marriage and gender roles, yet it shows them through actors that represent the common man and woman. They are made more relatable through their realism and in being script orientated, though of course they are also full of fun dance numbers. Their comedy through sarcasm also sets them apart from other Indian films, with the ability and lines of the actors shining through.
Check out CulturalPulse’s shortlist of the best Malayalam films over the past 70 years below.