Kerala cuisine, which is known for its rich and diverse flavors, is an integral part of Malayali culture. The use of spices, coconut, and fresh vegetables has resulted in a unique culinary tradition that is distinct from other Indian cuisines. The popular dishes like idiyappam, appam, and sadya are an integral part of Malayali cuisine, and films like "Kerala Varsham" (2016) showcase the state's rich culinary heritage.
Kerala is often touted as a "caste-less" society, but cinema has bravely called this a myth. Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016) used a small-town feud to highlight the claustrophobic nature of caste honor. However, the watershed moment came with Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Jallikattu (2019)—a visceral, chaotic film about a buffalo that escapes slaughter. While on the surface it is a thriller, the subtext is a brutal examination of unhinged, caste-driven masculinity and pride, representing the entire nation as a mob trapped in savagery. Malayalam Cinema and Culture: A Symbiotic Art Form