In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a distinct segment of low-budget Malayalam cinema gained nationwide attention. These films were characterized by:
The term in Indian cinema has evolved from its origins as low-budget filler films into a distinct sub-genre of mass entertainment . Historically, the Malayalam film industry (Mollywood) in the late 90s and early 2000s was "ruled" by iconic B-grade actresses like Shakeela , Reshma , and Mariya . As of April 2026 , the boundary between regional B-grade cinema and mainstream Bollywood has blurred, with many actresses transitioning between industries or appearing in "mass" entertainers that target a similar demographic. Top Actresses and Recent Transitions In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a
Figures from this era became household names across India, often categorized under the "B-grade" label due to the nature of the content rather than their actual acting capabilities. Shifting to Mainstream Bollywood and OTT Platforms As of April 2026 , the boundary between
Rising from Malayalam television, Preity Mukhundhan has successfully transitioned to films and has been roped in for a major Bollywood project. As of April 2026