Following months of debate, Shwetha Menon has been elected as the first female president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA).
Expressing her thoughts on this new role, Menon mentioned her intent to address significant issues.
“I haven’t made concrete plans.. but I do have an agenda. This is a substantial task. Don’t expect miracles, but we aim to make a difference,” she remarked.
The eagerly anticipated AMMA presidential election results came almost a year after Mohanlal, her predecessor and a renowned superstar, stepped down in August 2024.
Mohanlal resigned from the 17-member executive committee amid rising allegations of sexual misconduct in the Malayalam film sector. These issues were highlighted in the Justice K Hema Committee’s report on women’s working conditions in the industry.
At that juncture, all executive committee members also resigned.
The controversy arose from numerous complaints by female actors following the Hema Committee’s findings. The government subsequently established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the challenges women face in the industry.
A redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report was released, revealing the harassment women encounter in the Malayalam film industry. The 235-page report indicated that the industry is dominated by 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors exerting control.
Earlier this year, in January, Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan resigned as the AMMA treasurer, citing overwhelming work commitments impacting his “mental health”.
With Shwetha Menon at the helm, AMMA is poised for significant changes. ANI
