Mallika Sukumaran resigns from AMMA; backs Shwetha Menon amid deepening rift

The internal crisis within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has intensified, with veteran actor Mallika Sukumaran announcing her resignation from the organisation while publicly extending support to actor Shwetha Menon.

Mallika confirmed her decision through a Facebook post, saying she was stepping away from the organisation "with love". She stated that she had always stood by truth and justice and made it clear that she was standing alongside Shwetha Menon during the ongoing turmoil within the actors' body. 

The resignation comes at a turbulent time for AMMA, which has been facing growing internal divisions following the collective resignation of its executive committee.

Resignation follows executive committee exit

The entire 17-member executive committee of AMMA recently stepped down despite having two years remaining in its term. Earlier, joint secretary Ansiba Hassan had also resigned from her position.

The mass resignation occurred without the committee being subjected to a no-confidence motion, marking one of the most significant leadership shake-ups in the organisation's recent history.

Lakshmipriya also quits membership

Actor Lakshmipriya has also resigned from AMMA membership, announcing her decision through the organisation's WhatsApp group.

In her message, she addressed senior members Kaladi Omana, Ponnamma Babu and Usha Alappuzha while submitting her resignation. She expressed deep disappointment with the organisation, saying only a handful of people within AMMA genuinely cared for her.

Lakshmipriya further wrote that if she were to die before the senior members she addressed, she did not want others from the organisation to come even to see her mortal remains, underscoring the extent of the bitterness surrounding her exit.

Facebook post criticises AMMA's priorities

Alongside announcing her resignation, Mallika shared a strongly worded Facebook post criticising what she described as AMMA's failure to focus on the future growth of the Malayalam film industry.

Referring to the Kerala government's decision to grant industry status to cinema in the 2026-27 Budget, she argued that the development presented a historic opportunity for Malayalam cinema that had been overlooked during recent discussions within the organisation.

In the post, she wrote:

“AMMA had a golden chance. It chose gossip over growth.

Kerala Govt just did what Malayalam cinema waited 75 years for: Gave cinema “Industry Status” in Budget 2026-27. Land at concessional rates, industrial power tariff, KSIDC loans, higher subsidy + extra for women-led films, VFX parks. This is not a sops list. It’s a blueprint to make Kerala a full-stack film hub. 50,000 jobs + ₹5,000 Cr investment is what’s on the table.

Yesterday AMMA, the biggest association of Malayalam artists, met. The agenda should’ve been: “How do we use this budget to build studios, train women technicians, stop runaway shooting?”

Instead, the meeting turned into public fights over misconduct, interpersonal issues, and personal reputations... Not one roadmap. Not one proposal on how AMMA can partner with govt to set up skill centers or a VFX park.

The problem is not the fight. The problem is priorities.

Budget = Structure. AMMA = Culture. Govt just gave the structure - land, power, money. But industry runs on culture: safety for women, professional HR, transparent contracts. If AMMA keeps fighting over individual misconduct cases in public instead of institutionalizing ICC committees, audit processes, and women-led production incentives, no producer will risk ₹20 Cr here even with cheap power.

Silence from big stars = wasted leverage. Mohanlal, Mammootty, - when they speak, govt listens. If they’d said “AMMA will create a 1000-person training center for women editors/VFX artists using the new industrial subsidy”, KINFRA would give land tomorrow. Silence means we lose the first-mover advantage to Hyderabad/Chennai.

Women get symbolism, not systems. Budget gave extra subsidy for women-led films. That’s huge. But women in the industry still fight for basic dignity inside AMMA. You can’t pitch “Kerala for women filmmakers” to Netflix while your own association is on the news for internal fights. Credibility first.

What should’ve happened:

AMMA should’ve walked out of that meeting with 3 resolutions:

Set up an AMMA-Govt taskforce to draft proposal for VFX park using new land+power benefits.

Use women-led film subsidy to create 100 women assistant directors/camera women in 2 years.

Institutionalize anti-harassment policy with external audit, not WhatsApp fights.

Industry status is not a trophy. It’s responsibility. Land and loans won’t fix culture. Only leaders will.

Kerala gave cinema the keys to the factory. AMMA is still arguing in the parking lot.”