The 2010s marked a paradigm shift. Directors like Lijo Jose Pellissery ( Ee.Ma.Yau ) and Dileesh Pothan ( Maheshinte Prathikaaram ) threw away the rulebook. They introduced dry humor, hyper-realism, and long takes that capture the awkward silences of real life.

The cinema also travels across oceans. In the United States, the UK, and the Gulf, Malayalam cinema serves as the primary cultural umbilical cord. The second-generation Malayali in Chicago or London might not speak the language fluently, but they watch Joji or Nayattu to understand the political anxieties their parents left behind. In this sense, Malayalam cinema is a floating archive for a global community.

Malayalam cinema has also had a significant impact on Kerala's tourism industry, with many films showcasing the state's natural beauty, cultural heritage, and traditions. The film "Dil Se.." (1998), directed by Mani Ratnam, featured the famous song "Mitti Hai Mitti" which showcased the beauty of Kerala's backwaters.

You cannot separate Malayalam cinema from Kerala’s culinary and linguistic culture.