Often referred to as "Mallu porn" or "B-grade films," Malayalam softcore pornography is a distinct genre that gained prominence in the 1980s, running parallel to the mainstream Malayalam film industry in the southern Indian state of Kerala. These films are generally recognized as low-budget productions. During a period of crisis in the mainstream industry, these films are thought to have played a significant role in keeping it afloat, even as critics derided them for their crude and vulgar content.