The executive committee governing the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), headed by actor Shweta Menon, resigned on Sunday (June 21, 2026) amid intense internal turmoil that led to a series of controversies and even police complaints recently. Ms. Menon also quit the association, alleging an agenda to push her panel out.
Also read | ‘No confidence move’ against Shweta Menon-led leadership adds to speculations over AMMA general body
The 17-member panel decided to step down after a section of the association moved a no-confidence motion against the leadership at a general body meeting held here. The leadership was accused of failing to run the day-to-day affairs of the organisation and resolve the disputes within the outfit.
The meet saw high drama as a section questioned the annual report and financial statement presented by general secretary Kukku Parameswaran. Unni Shivpal, the treasurer who was asked to go on leave following a workplace harassment complaint by an AMMA employee, also reportedly refused to take responsibility for the financial statement. Senior actors and former office-bearers Sidhique, Edavela Babu and Baburaj were among those who reportedly opposed to pass the annual report without rectifying the alleged discrepancies in financial transactions. Though Ms. Menon sought 45 days to study the matter, the demand was not entertained, it is learnt.
Coming out of the meet, Ms. Menon said one had to be “a puppet to run the organisation” and she was not ready to remain so. “I have also come to believe, as some women stated earlier, there is an attempt to push the association into the hands of some accused individuals,” she said.
Responding to Ms. Menon’s remarks, actor Baburaj said the outgoing committee kept playing the women’s card though they failed to even resolve issues faced by women.
Following the resignation of the leadership, the AMMA general body nominated an ad-hoc committee to run the organisation until the next election. Actor and Palakkad MLA Ramesh Pisharody has been appointed the convenor of the temporary panel, senior actor Jagadeesh announced. Other members are K.B. Ganesh Kumar, Suresh Krishna, Sadique, Rony David, Krishnaprabha, Asha Aravind, Shajohn and Devi Chandana.
Earlier in the day, actor Mohanlal inaugurated the general body. Amid the heated exchanges, he reportedly said that the disputes between some members should not destroy the association. Actors Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Prithviraj and Tovino Thomas were among those who did not attend the meet.
The Shweta Menon-led committee was elected in August 2025 after the previous committee headed by Mohanlal stepped down amid the controversies over the Hema Committee report. The committee that stepped down included general secretary Kukku Parameswaran, vice presidents Jayan R and Lakshmipriya and treasurer Unni Sivapal.
Published - June 21, 2026 07:15 pm IST
