In a historic first for the Malayalam film industry, actor Shwetha Menon has been elected as the first female president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The election, held on Friday in Kochi, saw Shwetha contesting against senior actor Devan, marking a turning point for the 29-year-old organisation that has long been dominated by male leadership.
The voting took place on the occasion of 79th Independence Day of the country with the results being announced on the eve of the same day. Of the 506 registered members, only 298 cast their votes, reflecting a 58 percent polling rate. This marks a steep decline from the previous election, which witnessed nearly 70 percent turnout — a 12 percent drop that has raised concerns about dwindling engagement within the body.
Several leading actors including Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Nivin Pauly, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Indrajith Sukumaran, and Asif Ali did not participate in the voting, a fact that further underlined the absence of key voices in shaping AMMA’s future leadership.
Alongside Shwetha Menon’s victory, the new leadership team now features significant female representation. Lakshmi Priya has been chosen as Vice President, while Kukku Parameshwaran and Ansiba Hasan will serve as Joint Secretary and General Secretary, respectively. Unni Shivapal has been elected Treasurer. The composition reflects a clear push towards inclusivity, giving women a stronger voice in the organisation’s decision-making process.
However, the elections were not free from the shadow of controversies. AMMA has faced sustained criticism since the release of the Hema Committee report, which exposed systemic issues and alleged sexual harassment involving influential names in the industry. The scandal triggered multiple resignations, including that of superstar Mohanlal, leading to widespread demands for structural reform and greater accountability.
Adding to the complexity, Shwetha Menon herself has been no stranger to public scrutiny. A case was filed against her in the past for allegedly promoting obscenity and vulgarity in films, and many speculated whether such allegations would play a role in the campaign narrative. Despite these challenges, her victory is being hailed as a bold and symbolic step towards reshaping AMMA’s identity.
Now, all eyes will be on Shwetha Menon’s leadership as she assumes charge of an organisation at a crossroads — one that must rebuild credibility, address long-standing issues, and restore trust among artists and audiences alike.
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