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After being embroiled in several controversies and witnessing a series of mudslinging incidents among its members, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has finally received its new executive committee, with actors Shwetha Menon and Cuckoo Parameswaran as president and general secretary, respectively. This is the first time since the organisation’s inception in 1994 that women have occupied the top positions. The newly elected 17-member executive committee will lead AMMA for three years.
Although the organisation had received a new executive committee in June 2024, with Mohanlal being reelected as president for the third consecutive term, it only lasted two months, as the office bearers resigned en masse in August. This move was in response to the Justice Hema Committee’s findings and multiple allegations of sexual misconduct involving key AMMA executive committee members, such as the then general secretary Siddique and joint secretary Baburaj, among others. Subsequently, an ad-hoc committee was formed, comprising members of the disbanded top body, to ensure AMMA’s functioning.
Although the association has finally elected its first-ever female president and general secretary, many remain doubtful whether simply appointing women to top positions will bring meaningful change or if it will end up as eyewash, while the existing power asymmetries and exploitative practices, as detailed in the Justice Hema Committee report, remain unaddressed.
The demand for a committee to examine women’s issues in the industry gained momentum following the abduction and sexual assault of a leading female actor in a moving vehicle in Kochi in February 2017. Prominent actor Dileep was alleged to have masterminded the heinous crime and was eventually arrested in connection with it. These incidents led to the formation of the Justice Hema Committee, which exposed the widespread discrimination and exploitation faced by women and other marginalised groups in the Malayalam film industry. Whether the new AMMA executive committee will be able to address these ongoing issues remains to be seen.
Bhavana, however, refused to weigh in on the leadership change in AMMA. Stating that she has no comments on the new leadership, Bhavana clarified that she is no longer a member of the organisation and is hence unaware of the changes in its office bearers. She also told reporters that she would address the matter if and when the situation arose.
Meanwhile, shortly after the formation of the new executive committee, another controversy has emerged, putting AMMA back in the spotlight. Soon after casting his vote in the elections, AMMA member and controversial senior actor Kollam Thulasi — known for spreading pseudoscience and making inflammatory speeches during the Sabarimala row — made remarks that many dubbed as misogynistic. He told the media, “They say women will rule, we say men will rule. We have to wait and see what happens. Men should rule, right? Women should always be beneath us. Isn’t it? Go use that (for views). Men should always be above women. Isn’t it?” Nonetheless, Thulasi followed it up with a sarcastic remark, “Now they will become my enemies. I was just joking, okay?”
While Jayan Cherthala and Lakshmi Priya will serve as vice-presidents, Ansiba Hasan has been elected as joint secretary, and Unni Sivapal as the treasurer of the association. Actors Sarayu, Vinu Mohan, Tiny Tom, Neena Kurup, Santhosh Keezhattoor, Dr. Rony David Raj, Sijoy Varghese, Joy Mathew, Anjaly Nair, and Asha Aravind are members of the executive committee.
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