Thiruvananthapuram: Actor Shwetha Menon, newly elected as the first female president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), has called for fixed and structured working hours for women in the film industry. Speaking at the India Today South Conclave 2025, she urged the industry to create a more supportive and communicative environment for women artists.

Drawing from her own journey, Shwetha recalled how she continued working during pregnancy. “I did four films while pregnant. I informed my directors that I wasn’t comfortable with early morning shoots, and they understood.”

She stressed that open conversations could solve many issues, but lamented that fear of losing opportunities often prevents women from speaking up.

“Most issues can be solved through dialogue, but people often avoid it. Even when I was AMMA's first female Vice President, I would urge women to share their problems—none of them would,” she said.

According to her, many women in the industry silently fight personal and professional battles without adequate support systems.

“I won’t blame them. Everyone is worried about their careers. But slowly, we will bring these issues to light,” she concluded.

About Shwetha Menon

Shwetha Menon, a former Femina Miss India 1994 finalist, has built a versatile career in Malayalam cinema with acclaimed performances in Paleri Manikyam, Salt N' Pepper, and Kayam. She has also acted in Hindi and Tamil films, hosted popular TV shows, and emerged as a winner in Bigg Boss Malayalam. In 2025, she created history by becoming the first woman president of AMMA.