Shweta Menon quits Malayalam actors’ body AMMA; executive committee resigns at stormy meet
The executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), headed by actor Shweta Menon, resigned on Sunday (June 21, 2026) at the culmination
The executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), headed by actor Shweta Menon, resigned on Sunday (June 21, 2026) at the culmination of an annual general body meeting of the film forum in Kochi that witnessed high drama. Also read | ‘No confidence move’ against Shweta Menon-led leadership adds to speculations over AMMA general body Menon, the first female president of the three-decade-old association, also quit the collective. “I have come out of AMMA today. Like some women had earlier said, I also feel like there was an attempt by some accused people to hijack it,” Ms. Menon told media, announcing her decision.
Earlier in the day, a section of the members had handed over a letter to the leadership, expressing no-confidence in the executive committee. Menon said that there were certain people within the organisation who worked with an agenda to expel her from the leadership role. Along with Ms. Menon, the 17-member executive committee including general secretary Coockoo Parameswaran, also quit. The general body meet had witnessed a dispute between the members with a section reportedly questioning the anomalies in the annual report and financial statement presented by the general secretary. Responding to the allegations, Ms. Menon said the financial statement after her committee took over was perfect, though there were several issues in the report during the tenure of the previous committee.
Ms. Menon said she was not ready to remain a puppet at the seat of the president. The resignation of the committee has come as a shocker to the film industry as the election of the AMMA executive committee headed by two women in 2025 was hailed as a historic feat. The leadership has since been facing multiple challenges which exposed the internal turmoil within the 32-year-old forum. The general body meet on Saturday (June 21, 2026) took place amid a series of complaints involving AMMA members. While Ansiba Hassan, who quit as joint secretary, and vice president Lakshmipriya have filed complaints against each other, treasurer Unni Shivpal has been sent on compulsory leave following a police complaint by an employee of the association.
Ms. Hassan has also filed a police complaint against actor Tini Tom alleging defamatory and communal remarks. Executive committee member Neena Kurup has meanwhile filed a complaint against Mr. Tom to the AMMA leadership alleging “use of abusive language and attempted physical assault.”
The BriefWire