Malayalam Cinema Facts for PSC

Malayalam Film Industry is celebrating its 90th Birthday in 2020. Here are some of the interesting facts about India's fourth-biggest entertainment industry:

First In Malayalam Cinema

  • First Malayalam Cinema – Vigathakumaran (1928).
  • First Malayalam Film based on a Literary Work – Marthandavarma.
  • First Indian Historical Drama Film – Marthandavarma (1933).
    • First Film banned in Indian Film Industry due to copyright issues – Marthanda Varma (1933; directed by P. V. Rao).
  • First Malayalam Sound/talkie Film – Balan (1938).
  • First Person to Speak in Malayalam Cinema – Alleppey Vincent (Balan).
    • First Malayalam Word to be spoken  – Hello Mister.
  • First Cinema Hall (manually operated film projector) – Thrissur (by K. W. Joseph*, 1907).
  • First Permanent Theatre (electrically operated film project) – Jose Electrical Bioscope (Thrissur by Jose Kattookkaran, 1913).
  • First Mythological Film in Malayalam – Prahlada (1941).
  • First Film Produced By A Malayali – Nirmala (1948).
    • First Film With Songs – Nirmala.
    • First Director to introduce play-back singing in cinema – P. J. Cherian.
    • First Male Playback Singer in Malayalam – Govinda Rao.
    • First Female Playback Singer in Malayalam – Sarojini Menon.
  • First Film Studio – Travancore National Pictures (1926).*
  • First Popular Film Studio – Udaya Studio (1948).
  • First Movie produced from Udaya Studio – Vellinakshatram (1949).
  • First Film Studio Owned by the Government of Kerala – Chitranjali Studio (1980).
  • First Realistic Movie in Malayalam – Newspaper Boy (1955).
  • First Thriller Film – C.I.D. (1955).
  • First Malayalam Film based on the Bible – Snapaka Yohannan (1963).
  • First Horror Film – Bhargavi Nilayam (1964).
  • First Malayalam Film Actor – J. C. Daniel (Vigathakumaran).
  • First Malayalam Film Actress – P. K. Rosi (Vigathakumaran).
  • First Malayalam Film Actor Who Spoke in Malayalam Cinema – K.K. Aroor.
  • First Malayalam Film Actress Who Spoke in Malayalam Cinema – M.K. Kamalam.
  • First Woman director in the Malayalam film industry – Vijaya Nirmala ('Kavitha', 1973).
  • First Box Office Hit in Malayalam – Jeevitha Nauka (1951).
  • First Film in Kerala to have a separate gramaphone record for dialogues – Bharya (1962).
  • First Sponsored Film in Malayalam – Makalkkayi (2005).
  • First Film Society in Malayalam – Chithralekha (1965).
  • First Malayalam movie with no actresses – Mathilukal (1989, Director & Producer: Adoor Gopalakrishnan).
  • First Film directed by M.T. Vasudevan Nair – Nirmaalyam (1973).
  • First Film Journalist in Malayalam – K.V. Koshi.
  • First Film Magazine in Malayalam – Chalachithram (Editor: M.M. Ramachandran, Publisher: Manorajyam, Printed at Trivandrum).
  • First Screenplay to be Published in Book format – Murappennu (1965).
  • First Film to shot entirely in outdoor locations – Rosie (1965).
  • First Film to shot entirely in a gulf country – Vilkkanundu Swapnangal (1980).
  • First Millennium Hit – Narasimham (2000, Director: Shaji Kailas, Actor: Mohanlal).
  • First Malayali Film Actor to become Parliament Member – Innocent.

Evolution of Films

  • First Colour film – Kandam Bacha Coat (1961).
  • First Cinemascope film – Thacholi ambu (1978).
  • First 70mm Malayalam cinema – Padayottam (1982).
  • First 3D movie – My Dear Kuttichathan (1984).
  • First Cartoon/full-length live-action/animation hybrid movie in Malayalam – O' Faby (1993).
    • First full-length feature film in Asia to combine live-action with animated characters – O' Faby.
  • First Dolby Stereo Movie – Kalapani (1996).
  • First Dolby Digital Movie – Indraprastham (1996).
  • First DTS Movie – My Dear Kuttichathan (1997, re-released version of MDK 1984 by Navodaya).
  • First Digital Movie – Moonnamathoral (2006).
    • First high-definition (HD) movie digitally distributed to theaters via satellite.
  • First Malayalam Film shot entirely on a Mobile phone camera – Jalachhayam (2010).
  • First Malayalam film to release on Netflix – Grandmaster (2012).
  • First Malayalam film to release with subtitles (English) in outside Kerala – Grandmaster (2012).
  • First Dolby Atmos Movie – Manglish (2014).
  • First Indian film to be shot entirely in 8K resolution – Villain (2017).
  • First Crowdfunded (money collected from the public) Film – Amma Ariyan (1986; directed by John Abrahaam).
  • First Online Crowdfunded Malayalam Cinema – Oraalppokkam (2014).
  • First Film Song released through Whatsapp – Kootu thedi, Varsham (2014).
  • First Malayalam Film released on OTT platform – Sufiyum Sujatayum (2020).
  • First Malayalam film to be released directly on the OTT platform – Fourth River (2020).
  • First Documentary Film in Kerala – Fathima Mathavinte Divya Ghoshayatra (Director: Kunchacko).
  • First Film (World's as well) with one actor in the entire star cast – The Guard (2001).
  • First Malayalam film to cross ₹10 million gross collection from theatres –  Thacholi Ambu (1978).
  • First Malayalam film to cross ₹500 million gross collection from theatres –  Drishyam (2013).
  • First Malayalam film to cross ₹1 billion gross collection from theatres –  Pulimurugan (2016).
  • First Malayalam film to cross ₹2 billion (200 crore) thus becoming highest-grossing film of all-time –  Manjummel Boys (2024).

Awards – National & International

National

  • First Malayalam movie to win President’s Silver Medal for the Best Film – Neelakuyil (1954).
  • First Malayalam (South Indian) movie to win President’s Gold Medal for the Best Film –Chemmeen (1965).
  • First Malayali Actor to win National award – P. J. Antony (Nirmaalyam).
  • First Woman to win National award for acting – Sarada (Thulabharam, 1968).
  • First & Youngest Malayali actress to win National award – Monisha (Nakhakshathangal, 1986).
  • First Malayali Director to win National award – Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
  • First Malayali to win the maximum number of National awards for best director – Adoor Gopalakrishnan (16 times).
  • First Malayali to win National award for Best Screenplay – S.L. Puram Sadanandan (Agniputhri).
  • First Malayali to win the National award for Best Lyricist – Vayalar Ramavarma.
  • First Malayalam actor to honored with Padmasree – Thikkurishi Sukumaran Nair (1973).
  • First & Only Malayali to win the Dadasaheb Phalke Award – Adoor Gopalakrishnan (2004).
  • First Malayalam film to win State award – Kumarasambhavam (1969).
  • First recipient of Kerala State film award for best actress – Sheela (Kallichellamma, 1969).
  • First recipient of Kerala State film award for best actor – Sathyan (Kadalppalam, 1969).
  • First Female to win the Kerala State film award for best director – Vidhu Vincent (Manhole, 2016).
  • First & Only Malayalam actress who won Kerala State Award 5 times – Urvasi (hat-trick - 1989, 1990 & 1991).
  • First Singer to win Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer – K. J. Yesudas.
  • First J. C. Daniel award winner – T. E. Vasudevan (1992).
  • First Malayali Woman recipient of J.C Daniel Award – Aranmula Ponnamma.

International

  • First Malayalam film to be nominated for Oscars – Guru (directed by Rajiv Anchal).
  • First Malayalam film to be premiered in Cannes Film Festival – Elipathayam (Adoor Gopalakrishnan, 1981).
  • First Malayalam film to get Golden Camera award in Cannes film festival – Marana Simhasanam (1999).
  • First Malayalam film to get Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award at the Shanghai International Film Festival – Veyil Marangal (Directed by Dr. Biju, 2019).
  • First Malayali to win Oscar Award – Rasool Pookutty (Sound Mixing - Slumdog Millionaire).
  • First & Only actor holding Guinness World Records for playing most no. of characters (45) by one actor in a single film – Johnson George (Aaranu Njan, 2018).
  • First Indian director to use sound as a leitmotif (a recurring musical theme) – Adoor Gopalakrishnan (Swayamvaram, 1972). 

* For PSC, it is Udaya Studio.

Click here for a complete list of National Award Winners in the Malayalam Film Industry

SideNotes:

  • Father of Malayalam Cinema – J.C. Daniel.
  • Vigathakumaran was released in the year – 23 October 1930.
    • The place where Vigathakumaran was released – Capitol Theatre, Thiruvananthapuram (November 7, 1928).
    • Director of the movie Vigathakumaran – J. C. Daniel.
      • J. C. Daniel – Established the first Film Studio in Kerala.
  • Highest film award in Malayalam Film Industry – J.C. Daniel Award.
  • Second Malayalam movie – Marthandavarma.
  • Second Malayalam Sound Film – Njanambika.
  • Director of the Malayalam film "Prahlada"– K. Subramaniam.
  • The third movie released in Malayalam – Balan.
    • Director of the movie "Balan"– S. Nottani.
    • Songwriter of the movie "Balan" – Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai.
  • Director of Nirmala – P.J. Cherian.
    • Nirmala's music composer – P. S. Divakar & E. I. Warrier.
    • Nirmala's Lyricist – G. Sankara Kurup.
  • Founder of Udaya Studio – Kunchako.
  • The director of the movie 'Vellinakshatram' – Felix J. H. Bais.
  • Second popular film studio in Kerala – Merryland Studio.
    • Merryland was established by – P. Subramaniam (Nemom, 1951).
  • Chitranjali Studio is located at – Thiruvallam (Thiruvananthapuram).
  • The second largest indoor studio in Asia – Chitranjali Studio.
  • Director of "Newspaper Boy"– P. Ramdas.
    • Newspaper Boy has its roots in – Italian neorealism.
  • Second Malayalam movie to win a National award – Swayamvaram (1972).
  • Padayottam was inspired by the French novel – The Count of Monte Cristo (by Alexandre Dumas).
  • Director of "Chemmeen" – Ramu Kariat.
    • Producer of the movie Chemmeen – Babu Ismayil.
    • Cinematographers of the movie Chemmeen – Marcus Bartley & U. Rajagopal.
    • Author of the Malayalam Novel "Chemmeen" – Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (1956).
    • The backdrop of the Novel "Chemmeen" was set on – Purakkad beach, Alappuzha.
    • The backdrop for the film "Chemmeen" was shot on – Nattika Beach, Thrissur.
  • Scriptwriter of the movie "Neelakkuyil" – Uroob.
    • Directors of the film "Neelakkuyil" – P. Bhaskaran & Ramu Kariat.
  • Founders of Chitralekha film society – Kulathoor Bhaskaran Nair & Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
    • No. of Kerala State Film Awards won by Adoor – 17 times.
    • No. of films directed by Adoor – 12.
    • Adoor Gopalakrishnan's debut film – "Swayamavaram" (1972).
  • National Film Award for Best Actress was formerly called – Urvasi Award.
  • O' Faby was directed by – Sreekuttan Nair.
  • Malayali movie to win maximum no. of International film awards – Piravi.
    • Director of the movie "Piravi" – Shaji N. Karun.
  • Malayalam actor who three won National awards – Mammootty.
  • Mathilukal is based on the autobiographical novel of – Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.
  • The Guinness World Record for playing in the most number of leading roles in films & for playing opposite the same heroine is held by – Prem Naseer (720 films - 130 films with Sheela).
  • The record in Malayalam for acting in most films is held by – Jagathy Sreekumar.
  • Malayalam actress who has acted in most films – Sukumari.
  • Malayalam actor who was honored in Indian Postal stamp – Prem Naseer.
  • Total no. of films directed by M.T. Vasudevan Nair – 7.
    • No. of screenplays written by M.T. – 54.
    • Murappennu was first film written by M.T. Vasudevan Nair.
  • Malayalam film inspired by Shakespeare's 'Othello' – Kaliyattam (1997).
  • Only Female director to have directed 47 films in Guinness Books of World Records – Vijaya Nirmala.
    • First film directed by Vijaya Nirmala – Kavitha (1973).
    • Vijaya Nirmala shot to fame for her role in – Bhargavi Nilayam (Bhargavikkutty).
    • Bhargavi Nilayam is the film adaptation of the novel – Neelavelicham by Vaikom Muhammed Basheer.
  • Only work of Kumaranasan that is converted into a movie of the same name – Karuna(1966, directed and produced by K. Thankappan).
  • First person who called Yesudas as "Gana Gandharva" – G. Sankara Kurup. 
  • Second Film to get Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film category – Adaminte Makan Abu (2011).
*First original DTS movie in Malayalam–Thirakalkkappuram (1998).*
 
(After the re-release of MDK in 1997, Navodaya installed DTS in about 10 theaters across Kerala from their pocket)

(Thanks Vinod!)