Nellu (transl. Paddy) is a 1974 Malayalam-language drama film directed by Ramu Kariat from a screenplay by K. G. George based on the 1972 award-winning novel of the same name by P. Valsala. It features an ensemble cast of Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Sankaradi and Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair. The film portrays the life of the Adiyar community, a tribe of the forests in the Wayanad hills of Kerala, through the eyes of an outsider.

In 1972, Kariat approached Valsala for permission to adapt the novel, and when she agreed, he asked K. G. George, S. L. Sadanandan and Valsala to write separate scripts based on the novel and in the end, took certain portions from all the three and made the film. Principal photography commenced in 1972 with filming taking place in various villages near Thirunelli in Wayanad. The film has music composed by Salil Chowdhury, cinematography by Balu Mahendra and editing by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Appu.Nellu was released theatrically on 23 August 1974; it received critical acclaim, primarily for the script and making, and was a box office success, running for more than 100 days in theatres. The film marks the debut of cinematographer Balu Mahendra although not his first release. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography (Colour). Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Appu won the award for Kerala State Film Award for Best Editing. The film also won the 1974 Filmfare Award for Best Film - Malayalam.