Other problematic practices persist, including brown-facing, where fair-skinned actors are darkened to play lower-caste or working-class characters, reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Films as recent as Pravinkoodu Shappu (2025) and Nna Thaan Case Kodu (2022) have been criticized for this practice, which reduces complex cultures to visual stereotypes.
Take Jana Gana Mana (2022), which asked: What if the police force is the biggest threat to democracy? Or Nayattu (2021), which followed three police officers on the run, exposing the brutal mechanics of the caste system within the law enforcement hierarchy. These films are screened in college political science seminars. They are referenced in legislative assembly debates. Or Nayattu (2021), which followed three police officers
Malayalam cinema has historically been allergic to the "dream sequence" song. Songs exist, but they are usually situational—a bus journey song, a rain montage, or a political rally anthem. The industry prioritizes ambience over glamour . Malayalam cinema has historically been allergic to the