Hema, AMMA and Shwetha: Police heat, gender battles and a new script for Malayalam cinema

Actress Shwetha Menon has created history by becoming the first woman president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) in its 31-year journey. Alongside her, Lakshmipriya was elected vice president and Kukku Parameswaran won the post of general secretary, making this the first time women have secured three top leadership positions in the organisation.

This turning point comes almost a year after the Mohanlal-led executive committee stepped down following the explosive Hema Committee report that exposed deep-rooted issues in the Malayalam film industry, from sexual harassment to pay disparity.

A battle full of twists

The election for AMMA’s leadership saw intense competition. Shwetha Menon defeated senior actor Devan for the president’s post, while Kukku Parameswaran overcame Raveendran in the general secretary race. Actor Jagadish withdrew, reportedly to support a woman candidate, though his past criticism of the committee may also have influenced his decision. Joy Mathew’s nomination was rejected on technical grounds, and Baburaj stepped aside after old allegations resurfaced.

Controversies before the polls

Both Shwetha Menon and Kukku Parameswaran faced controversies in the run-up to the election. Menon had a police case against her under the IT Act, though the Kerala High Court stayed the proceedings. Parameswaran, meanwhile, was accused of holding testimonies from the Hema Committee inquiry, a claim she denied before filing a police complaint for defamation.

AMMA and its members

Founded in 1994, AMMA today represents over 500 artists. Its membership includes icons like Kamal Haasan, who received honorary membership in 2024, as well as Tabu, Abbas, and Vasundhara Das. Veteran actors Madhu and Sheela, and actor-politicians like Mani C. Kappan and K.B. Ganesh Kumar, also belong to the body.

The Hema Committee backdrop

The Justice Hema Committee, formed in 2017 after the assault on a leading actress, was the first commission in India to examine gender discrimination and harassment in cinema. Its 300-page report, submitted in 2019 but only made public in 2024, revealed disturbing accounts of exploitation and unsafe conditions for women in the industry.

Though the police began investigating 35 cases flagged by the committee, most survivors chose not to testify, leading to many cases being dropped. Yet, other cases continue, with charges filed against several well-known actors and filmmakers.

A symbolic shift

With three women now at the helm, AMMA’s leadership marks a symbolic shift in an organisation long criticised for ignoring women’s concerns. For many, Shwetha Menon’s victory signals not just a change in leadership, but a potential reimagining of how Malayalam cinema addresses issues of power, equality and dignity.