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Shweta Menon and AMMA Executive Committee Resign Amid Financial and Governance Crisis
Shweta Menon, the first woman to hold the presidency of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), and the 17‑member executive committee resigned on Sunday after a heated annual general body meeting in Kochi. The resignation followed disputes over the association’s financial accounts and allegations that the leadership was being influenced by members facing misconduct charges. The move has plunged AMMA into a new crisis, prompting the formation of an ad‑hoc committee to manage affairs until fresh elections are held.
According to the New Indian Express, the annual meeting ended with members refusing to approve the association’s receipts and payments statement presented by general secretary Cuckoo Parameswaran. Veteran actors Siddique and Edavela Babu raised objections to the lack of clarity in the accounts, a debate that escalated when actor Jagadish accused the committee of failing to present the accounts transparently. Jagadish said the committee had “major lapses” and that internal disputes were being taken to the media, damaging AMMA’s reputation. The meeting also saw a motion for no‑confidence in the leadership, which the executive committee chose to pre‑empt by resigning.
The resignation was announced by Menon, who said she could not continue “under the circumstances” and that the association was being steered by people facing allegations. She added that she could not remain a “puppet.” Her statement was reported by Times Now and Hindustan Times, which noted that the resignation came after a “heated” meeting.
Following the mass resignation, an ad‑hoc committee was set up to oversee AMMA’s operations. The temporary panel is headed by actor and Member of Legislative Assembly Ramesh Pisharody, according to reports from The Hindu and The New Indian Express. Actor Baburaj confirmed the formation of the interim committee after the meeting. The committee will manage AMMA’s affairs until new elections are conducted, a process that has been delayed by the current crisis.
The crisis is part of a broader pattern of turmoil within AMMA. In 2024, the association’s previous committee stepped down amid controversy after the Justice Hema Committee report exposed sexual misconduct and harassment in the Malayalam film industry. The report highlighted pay disparity, blacklisting, and other systemic issues. Since then, AMMA has faced criticism for its handling of cases involving members accused of misconduct, and for internal divisions between factions led by actors such as Dileep, who was acquitted in the 2017 assault case, and others accused of sexual misconduct.
The latest conflict was triggered by a complaint filed by actress Ansiba Hassan against actor Tini Tom, alleging character assassination. The complaint led to a gag order issued by AMMA, which was opposed by some members. The dispute also exposed the association’s male‑dominated leadership structure, despite Menon’s historic election as the first woman president.
Former AMMA president Mohanlal has called for unity among members, according to reports from The Hindu. He noted that the association had previously faced a “no‑confidence” motion and that rebuilding trust would be essential. The current ad‑hoc committee will need to address the financial transparency issues that sparked the resignation and navigate the lingering allegations of misconduct that continue to affect the industry.
As of now, AMMA has no scheduled elections, and the interim committee’s mandate is to maintain day‑to‑day operations and prepare for a new leadership election. The association’s future will depend on its ability to resolve internal disputes, restore financial accountability, and respond to the broader calls for reform that emerged from the Hema Committee report. The industry and its stakeholders are watching closely as AMMA seeks to stabilize its governance and regain the confidence of its members.
According to the New Indian Express, the annual meeting ended with members refusing to approve the association’s receipts and payments statement presented by general secretary Cuckoo Parameswaran. Veteran actors Siddique and Edavela Babu raised objections to the lack of clarity in the accounts, a debate that escalated when actor Jagadish accused the committee of failing to present the accounts transparently. Jagadish said the committee had “major lapses” and that internal disputes were being taken to the media, damaging AMMA’s reputation. The meeting also saw a motion for no‑confidence in the leadership, which the executive committee chose to pre‑empt by resigning.
The resignation was announced by Menon, who said she could not continue “under the circumstances” and that the association was being steered by people facing allegations. She added that she could not remain a “puppet.” Her statement was reported by Times Now and Hindustan Times, which noted that the resignation came after a “heated” meeting.
Following the mass resignation, an ad‑hoc committee was set up to oversee AMMA’s operations. The temporary panel is headed by actor and Member of Legislative Assembly Ramesh Pisharody, according to reports from The Hindu and The New Indian Express. Actor Baburaj confirmed the formation of the interim committee after the meeting. The committee will manage AMMA’s affairs until new elections are conducted, a process that has been delayed by the current crisis.
The crisis is part of a broader pattern of turmoil within AMMA. In 2024, the association’s previous committee stepped down amid controversy after the Justice Hema Committee report exposed sexual misconduct and harassment in the Malayalam film industry. The report highlighted pay disparity, blacklisting, and other systemic issues. Since then, AMMA has faced criticism for its handling of cases involving members accused of misconduct, and for internal divisions between factions led by actors such as Dileep, who was acquitted in the 2017 assault case, and others accused of sexual misconduct.
The latest conflict was triggered by a complaint filed by actress Ansiba Hassan against actor Tini Tom, alleging character assassination. The complaint led to a gag order issued by AMMA, which was opposed by some members. The dispute also exposed the association’s male‑dominated leadership structure, despite Menon’s historic election as the first woman president.
Former AMMA president Mohanlal has called for unity among members, according to reports from The Hindu. He noted that the association had previously faced a “no‑confidence” motion and that rebuilding trust would be essential. The current ad‑hoc committee will need to address the financial transparency issues that sparked the resignation and navigate the lingering allegations of misconduct that continue to affect the industry.
As of now, AMMA has no scheduled elections, and the interim committee’s mandate is to maintain day‑to‑day operations and prepare for a new leadership election. The association’s future will depend on its ability to resolve internal disputes, restore financial accountability, and respond to the broader calls for reform that emerged from the Hema Committee report. The industry and its stakeholders are watching closely as AMMA seeks to stabilize its governance and regain the confidence of its members.
