Over the last decade, the "New Gen" movement has redefined Malayalam cinema for a globalized, digital-native audience.
Malayalam cinema has also been influenced by the cultural traditions of Kerala, such as the Onam festival. Many films have been made on the theme of Onam, showcasing the traditional dances, music, and food of Kerala. The film "Onam" (1982) is a classic example of this, depicting the celebrations and rituals associated with the festival.
Kerala’s high literacy rate has fostered a strong bond between literature and film. Many classics are adaptations of works by legendary writers like M.T. Vasudevan Nair .