: In the late 90s, mainstream cinema faced a slump with repetitive themes. Small-budget softcore films became the primary revenue source for many theaters that were on the verge of shutting down. Shakeela's Dominance : Her films, such as Kinnarathumbikal
The Malayalam B-grade film industry, specifically the era of softcore cinema in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was a significant sociological and economic phenomenon in Kerala. Often referred to as the "Shakeela Wave" ( Shakeela tharangam : In the late 90s, mainstream cinema faced
The following films are noted for their unique storytelling, craft, and critical reception as of early 2026: : In the late 90s
