Malayalam film actors' association AMMA faces internal crisis after president resigns
On June 21, 2026, a routine annual general body meeting of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) in Ernakulam turned dramatic when its president, actress Shwetha Menon, stormed out and announced her resignation. The move came after a no-confidence motion was moved against her by a section of members. Menon later reversed her resignation but remains embroiled in a legal dispute over the formation of an ad-hoc committee to run the association.
The crisis began months earlier when actress Ansiba Hassan, a former joint secretary of AMMA, accused executive committee member Tiny Tom of making communal and defamatory remarks against her. This sparked a public spat among members of the association, which represents about 500 actors. The conflicts have now led to court battles, with the Ernakulam Munsiff Court staying the functioning of the ad-hoc body.
Shwetha Menon, who was elected as AMMA's first woman president less than a year ago, defended her decision to quit, stating she was unwilling to be a puppet in the organisation. However, she later opposed the ad-hoc committee and challenged its legitimacy in court.
This internal rift is reminiscent of a similar crisis two years ago when the 17-member executive committee led by actor Mohanlal stepped down following the release of the Hema Committee report, which detailed sexual harassment allegations against some office-bearers. Actor Joy Mathew, who resigned from the current executive committee, attributed the ongoing turmoil to a lack of democratic values and clear vision among leaders. He noted that most elected members contested individually, leading to factional feuds and power struggles.
The association has also faced scrutiny over its funding practices, with members questioning corporate sponsorships and revenue from stage shows. The Hema Committee report had previously raised concerns about the working conditions and safety of women in the Malayalam film industry, and its recommendations remain a point of reference in the current dispute.
