Malayalam cinema has played a significant role in promoting and preserving Kerala's culture and traditions. Films often feature traditional music, dance, and art forms, such as Kathakali, Koothu, and Thiruvathirakali. The representation of Kerala's cuisine, festivals, and rituals in films has also contributed to the state's cultural identity. Moreover, films have addressed social issues like casteism, communalism, and women's empowerment, reflecting the changing values and attitudes of Kerala's society.

Keralites have high media literacy. They reject "masala" logic. If a character in a film gets stabbed, they bleed for three reels. This realism comes from Kerala’s high literacy rate and decades of left-leaning, rationalist thought.

Malayalam cinema began with J. C. Daniel’s silent feature Vigathakumaran (1928), which notably focused on social drama rather than the mythological themes prevalent in other Indian industries at the time.

Malayalam cinema, often referred to as "Mollywood," has evolved from a regional art form into a global cinematic powerhouse by remaining fiercely loyal to its cultural roots. Unlike the "larger-than-life" spectacle often associated with Indian cinema, Malayalam films are celebrated for their hyper-realism

What is fascinating is how these films treat "culture." They don't lecture about tradition. Instead, they show the chipping away of it. Kumbalangi Nights (2019) is the ultimate cultural document of modern Kerala. It features a matriarchal Muslim woman, a depressed photographer, a "Tinder date" gone wrong, and the deconstruction of toxic masculine brotherhood. It looks at the famous "Kerala model" of development and asks: Are we happy?