The roots of Malayalam cinema are deeply intertwined with the state's rich literary tradition. During the mid-20th century, the industry underwent a "Golden Age" where the works of legendary writers like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, and Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai were adapted into films. This transition brought a level of intellectualism and realism that became the industry's hallmark.