This systematic review explores the portrayal of LGBTQIA+ communities in Malayalam cinema, specifically in Mollywood, from 1978 to 2024, through the lens of Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Perspective, to explain the global resonance in a regional narrative about LGBTQIA+. Sixteen films were analyzed to identify recurring themes and the broader psychosocial narratives embedded in these portrayals. Critical themes include childhood neglect, societal rejection, challenges in adhering to heteronormative roles, the myth of changing sexual orientation through heterosexual relationships, and the stigmatization faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. While early films often downplayed or dismissed homosexuality, more recent narratives reflect growing acceptance and nuanced understandings of gender and sexual diversity. Through this analysis, the review sheds light on the evolution of LGBTQIA+ representation in Mollywood and its potential to influence societal attitudes toward sexual minorities. This review serves as a foundation for future discourse on the role of cinema in fostering inclusivity and acceptance for LGBTQIA+ communities in Indian society. This review also tried to make movies as a tool for educating and sensitizing the masses, thus spreading awareness about the LGBTQIA+ Communities and their inclusivity.
Rahoof et al. (Wed,) studied this question.