KOCHI: The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) made history on Friday, electing Shwetha Menon as its president — the first woman to hold the post in the organisation’s 30-year history. The AMMA election witnessed a surge of woman power, as four women have secured key posts, set against the backdrop of the Hema Committee findings and persistent demands from the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) for greater representation.
Kukku Parameswaran clinched the general secretary’s post, marking another first for a woman. Jayan Cherthala and Lakshmi Priya were elected vice presidents. Earlier, actor Ansiba was elected unopposed as joint secretary, making a total of four women in AMMA's key positions. Unni Shivpal was elected the treasurer.
“Now AMMA has an ‘amma’,” Shwetha told reporters after the results. “It is a responsibility, and we will be collectively working. Mammootty, Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi are our patrons, and we plan to go ahead with their blessings. Issues in the association will be solved through discussions,” she said.
Shwetha’s election follows the resignation of the committee led by actor Mohanlal in August 2024, soon after the Hema panel’s findings on workplace safety and gender parity in the Malayalam film industry were made public. Since then, AMMA has faced pointed criticism for the absence of women in top positions.
The WCC, which has been vocal about the lack of female voices in decision-making, has consistently called for more women in the executive committee and leadership roles, arguing that meaningful change in the industry requires women at the helm.
The lead-up to the polls was filled with controversy and intrigue: police cases involving Shwetha Menon, actor Baburaj withdrawing from the race following sexual assault allegations, and veteran Jagadish stepping away from the presidential contest.
In the keenly contested election held in Kochi, Shwetha defeated actor Devan by a margin of 21 votes, while Kukkoo Parameswaran was elected general secretary defeating actor Raveendran.
A total of 298 members of AMMA’s 506-strong electorate voted to choose the 2025–28 executive committee, with several high-profile stars, including Prithviraj, Manju Warrier, and Indrajith, notably absent. Eleven other executive members were also chosen at the extraordinary general meeting.
Outgoing president Mohanlal was present to witness the baton being passed, marking the end of his tenure and a new chapter in AMMA’s history.
Devan, conceding defeat gracefully, said, “If Shwetha is the AMMA of the association, I will be the Achan. I have always said women should fight and win. Shwetha fought and won. I will be with her.” At the request of actor Jagadish, he also administered the oath to the new office-bearers.
Kukkoo Parameswaran described her win as a collective achievement. “This is not my victory; it is the victory of the members. We are evolving, and with the new leadership, we will bring change,” she said.
Lakshmi Priya, newly elected vice president, stressed that the win should not be seen only through a gender lens, though she acknowledged its significance. “Women can handle women’s issues better because we need to be empathetic towards emotions,” she said.
