Resignation of AMMA's historic women leadership amid internal crisis in Malayalam film body
On June 21, 2026, Shweta Menon, the first female president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), resigned along with the entire 17-member executive committee during a stormy annual general body meeting in Kochi. The resignations followed a no-confidence motion and allegations of administrative failures, financial irregularities, and unresolved internal disputes. Actors Mallika Sukumaran and Lakshmipriya also resigned. An ad-hoc committee led by Ramesh Pisharody was appointed to manage the organization until the next election.
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Shwetha Menon Vows to Prevent 'Power Group' from Leading Malayalam Film Association
Actor Shwetha Menon, who retracted her resignation as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), has declared she will 'go to any extent' to prevent the 'power group' named in the Hema Committee report from leading the association. In a social media post, she alleged the group humiliated her and tried to expel her from the annual general body meeting on June 21. Menon accused some members of raising personal allegations after she questioned financial wrongdoings. She dismissed claims that she received commission to provide candidates for the BJP in the 2026 Kerala Assembly election, stating she has no reason to hide her political affiliation. The rival factions are engaged in a legal battle after the Ernakulam Munsiff court stayed the functioning of an ad-hoc committee formed at the meeting. Ramesh Pisharody, the ad-hoc committee convener, stepped down following the court order, arguing Menon had publicly resigned at the meeting.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AMMA Crisis: Shwetha Menon Says Panel to Rectify Lapses Caused by Lack of Experience
Shwetha Menon, who reversed her decision to step down as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), has sent a letter to members stating that the executive committee led by her has initiated measures to correct its 'lapses caused by lack of experience.' She said the committee is 'duty-bound' to move forward with more responsibility. The crisis emerged after a section of members moved a no-confidence motion alleging administrative and accounting lapses at a stormy general body meeting on June 21. The letter comes as the Ernakulam Munsiff Court, which stayed the formation of an ad-hoc committee, is set to hear arguments by actor and MLA Ramesh Pisharody against the legal validity of Menon's panel. The rival faction has questioned the propriety of sending the letter while the court has yet to rule on the committee's legal standing. Menon had earlier vowed to continue in her post after publicly announcing her resignation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Rift in AMMA: No end to impasse in Kerala film body as rival camps hold firm
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) in Kerala remains deadlocked after the Ernakulam Munsiff court stayed the functioning of an ad-hoc committee formed on June 21. Actor Shwetha Menon, who approached the court alleging the committee was formed in violation of association laws, opposed a plea by actor Ansiba Hassan to join the case. Menon insists she remains president despite announcing her resignation at the general body meeting. Ramesh Pisharody, who resigned as convener of the ad-hoc committee, will argue that Menon cannot continue exercising powers after publicly resigning. The court will hear the case again on July 27. The current leadership claims it is still managing affairs, while the rebel faction awaits the court decision before planning next steps.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AMMA row: Ansiba Hassan to intervene in case that stayed ad-hoc committee
Actor Ansiba Hassan will implead in a legal case before the Ernakulam Munsiff Court concerning the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). The court had earlier stayed the functioning of an ad-hoc committee headed by actor-legislator Ramesh Pisharody, after AMMA president Shwetha Menon challenged its formation following the June 21 annual general body meeting. Rival factions have clashed, with Menon facing criticism for claiming she remains president despite publicly resigning at the AGM. Pisharody has since resigned as convenor. The court ruled that the incumbent executive committee could continue, citing that the AGM failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority to dissolve the existing committee. Controversy has also emerged over leaked phone conversations and disputed AGM minutes. The next hearing is scheduled for July 13.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AMMA crisis: Women actors accuse Shwetha Menon of communal polarisation, political and corporate nexus
On July 4, 2026, actors Ansiba Hassan, Maala Parvathy, and Usha Haseena held a press conference in Kochi accusing Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) president Shwetha Menon of attempting communal polarisation and advancing corporate and political agendas. The allegations came hours after Menon secured a stay from the Ernakulam Munsif Court against the ad-hoc committee formed after her resignation announcement. Parvathy played an audio clip of a BJP leader claiming a business group would donate ₹15 crore to AMMA if Menon remained president. Hassan alleged she was targeted for opposing a temple trust donation and accused of being a 'jihadi' for breaking a fast. She also criticized police for not registering an FIR on her defamation complaint despite Home Minister intervention. Actor-legislator Ramesh Pisharody resigned as ad-hoc committee convenor over a leaked phone conversation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AMMA Crisis: Shwetha Menon Defends Presidency, Claims Superstar Support
Shwetha Menon, president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), defended her position in a Facebook post amid a deepening crisis within the organization. She claimed backing from superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal, and thanked members who urged her not to resign. Menon accused a small group of attempting to 'hijack' AMMA through backdoor entry, insisting that committee membership should only come through elections. The post came hours after fellow women actors Ansiba Hassan, Maala Parvathy, and Usha Haseena leveled serious allegations against her, including communal polarisation and a corporate-political nexus. Three more executive committee members had resigned, deepening the internal rift. Menon did not directly respond to the specific allegations in her post.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AMMA crisis: Shwetha Menon defends presidency, claims support from superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal
On July 4, 2026, actress Shwetha Menon, president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), defended her position amid a deepening internal crisis. In a Facebook post titled 'Satyameva Jayate', Menon claimed that superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal support her decision to remain as president. She accused a small group of 10-15 individuals of attempting to enter the AMMA committee 'through the back door' rather than contesting elections. This comes hours after fellow women actors Ansiba Hassan, Maala Parvathy, and Usha Haseena leveled serious allegations against her, including communal polarisation and corporate-political nexus. Menon also credited court intervention for thwarting an alleged attempt to hijack the organisation. She did not directly respond to the specific allegations raised by her colleagues. The crisis has seen multiple executive committee members resign as internal rifts widen within the influential Malayalam film industry body.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AMMA crisis: Women actors accuse Shwetha Menon of communal polarisation, political and corporate nexus
Actors Ansiba Hassan, Maala Parvathy, and Usha Haseena held a press conference accusing Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) president Shwetha Menon of attempting communal polarisation and advancing corporate and political agendas. The allegations came hours after Menon secured a court stay against an ad-hoc committee formed after her resignation. Parvathy played an audio clip of a BJP leader claiming a business group would have donated ₹15 crore to AMMA if Menon remained president. Hassan alleged she was targeted for opposing a donation from a temple trust and accused of being a 'jihadi' for breaking her fast on set. The actors also criticized police inaction on Hassan's defamation complaint despite Home Minister intervention. Actor and legislator Ramesh Pisharody resigned as ad-hoc committee convenor over a leaked phone conversation with Menon.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AMMA Crisis: Actor Shwetha Menon Says She Will Continue Until Next Election
The internal crisis within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) has escalated. Actor Shwetha Menon, who previously announced her resignation as president after a stormy general body meeting on June 21, now states she will not step down. In a social media post, she alleges that 10 to 15 members attended the July 2 general body meeting 'with an agenda' to oust her panel, distributing a pre-printed resolution that failed to secure the required two-thirds majority. She challenges the formation of an ad-hoc committee led by actor and MLA Ramesh Pisharody, claiming it violates AMMA's by-laws. Menon insists her panel has the legal authority to continue until the next election and says she will not resign without proving her innocence. The ad-hoc committee had earlier blamed her for the deadlock.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AMMA Ad-Hoc Panel Says It Has Not Yet Received Shwetha Menon's Resignation
The ad-hoc committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) stated on Thursday that it has not yet received the official resignation of former president Shwetha Menon and the rest of the executive committee members. The 17-member panel led by Menon decided to step down after a section of the association moved a no-confidence motion against the leadership at a general body meeting on June 21, accusing them of failing to manage daily affairs and resolve internal disputes. Ramesh Pisharody, MLA and convener of the ad-hoc committee, noted that the previous committee has not submitted meeting minutes or accounts and has requested more time. K.B. Ganesh Kumar, another committee member, emphasized that the ad-hoc panel was formed by majority decision and must be respected. Menon was not available for comment.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AMMA Crisis: Actor Shwetha Menon Alleges Vested Interests Blocked Probe, Demands Forensic Audit
Actor Shwetha Menon, who recently resigned as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) amid internal strife, has alleged that vested interests prevented her committee from investigating wrongdoings of previous committee members. In a Facebook post, she called for a thorough review and forensic audit of the accounts of the past two terms to ensure transparency and accountability. Menon stepped down alongside her 17-member executive committee ahead of a no-confidence motion at AMMA's general body meeting on June 21 in Kochi, where a new ad-hoc committee led by actor and MLA Ramesh Pisharody was elected. Responding to allegations of political affiliations, Menon denied being either a Sanghi (BJP supporter) or a Commie (Communist), stating she never attended political functions despite invitations. She said she resigned out of self-respect and refused to be a puppet, ending her post with 'picture abhi baaki hai' (the main story is yet to unfold).
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AMMA crisis: Actors Mallika Sukumaran, Lakshmipriya resign from primary membership
Actors Mallika Sukumaran and Lakshmipriya have resigned from the primary membership of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) amid an ongoing leadership crisis. The resignations follow the earlier resignation of Shwetha Menon, AMMA's first woman president, on June 21, 2026. The 17-member executive committee decided to step down after a section of the association moved a no-confidence motion against the leadership at a general body meeting held in Kochi, accusing the committee of failing to manage daily affairs and resolve internal disputes. Mallika Sukumaran expressed solidarity with Shwetha Menon and said she stands with 'truth and justice'. Lakshmipriya, a former vice-president, rejected allegations that the committee resigned due to failure to present a proper financial statement, blaming the previous committee for incomplete accounts.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Historic Women Leadership of Malayalam Film Body AMMA Collapses Amid Internal Crises
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) has suffered a major setback with the resignation of its entire 17-member executive committee, led by its first woman president, Shweta Menon, and general secretary Cuckoo Parameswaran, less than a year after their election. The move exposes deep structural problems within the 32-year-old organization. Ms. Menon was elected in August 2025 amid a wave of sexual misconduct allegations triggered by the Hema Committee report, helping AMMA regain some public trust. However, her hard-hitting exit remark—that she refused to be a puppet—reaffirms questions about the organization's patriarchal structure. The leadership fell amid allegations of administrative inefficiency and a failure to resolve serious internal disputes, including communal defamation accusations between actors Tini Tom and Ansiba Hassan, which were left for police and courts. The article portrays AMMA as an elite club with little internal conflict-resolution mechanism, and an ad-hoc committee led by Ramesh Pisharody has been appointed to run the organization until the next election.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Shweta Menon quits Malayalam actors' body AMMA; executive committee resigns amid turmoil
On June 21, 2026, Shweta Menon, the first female president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), resigned from the organization, stating that accused individuals had attempted to hijack the association. The entire 17-member executive committee, including general secretary Coockoo Parameswaran, also resigned during a stormy annual general body meeting in Kochi that featured a no-confidence motion against the leadership. Menon alleged a hidden agenda to expel her and refused to serve as a 'puppet' president. The meeting was marked by internal disputes, including allegations of financial irregularities, complaints between members Ansiba Hassan and Lakshmipriya, an employee complaint against treasurer Unni Shivpal, and a defamation complaint against actor Tini Tom. The resignations shocked the Malayalam film industry, as the all-women leadership elected in 2025 had been hailed as historic.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.No-confidence move against Shweta Menon-led AMMA leadership as annual general body meets amid controversies
A section of members of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) is reportedly planning to move a no-confidence motion against the leadership headed by actor Shweta Menon. The move comes as AMMA holds its annual general body meeting in Kochi amid multiple controversies. Critics cite failures in managing day-to-day affairs and resolving internal disputes that have led to police cases. A draft no-confidence motion circulating among members demands the current administration step down and hand over to an ad-hoc committee. The leadership, elected in 2025 with two women at its helm, faces challenges including complaints among members, a treasurer sent on leave, and allegations of defamatory remarks and physical assault. The motion questions the lack of an annual star show, a liquor party at a film festival, and failure to settle member disputes.
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