The world at large thinks that Kerala has a vibrant film industry. Many Malayalam films were, after all, known for their wit and sophistication.The industry also once had some leading lights like Adoor Gopalakrishnan,I V Sasi, Siby Malayil, T V Chandran, K P Kumaran and M P Sukumaran Nair.
But the industry today is in a state of decline. Mounting costs and badly made movies have pulled Malayalam cinema down from the pedestal it stood upon. Fewer Malayalam films are being produced now.
According to K G George, chairman of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association and a filmmaker himself, on an average only 60 Malayalam films are being produced annually versus 125 films five years ago. Usually almost all theaters in Kerala have Malayalam films for Onam.
But in 2002, because of the declining trend in Malayalam film production, 11 prominent theatres in Thiruvanathapuram had to go without Malayalam films, George says.
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