Rift in AMMA triggers fresh row over ‘power group’ in Malayalam cinema

The allegation by actor Shwetha Menon that the ‘power group’ named in the Hema Committee report is working against her has triggered a fresh bout of infighting within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA).

Her rival camp has asked her to divulge the names of those named in the Hema Committee report. They have accused her of using it as a ploy to tide over the failure of the executive panel of the association led by her in managing the affairs of the actors’ body.

Ms. Menon, who had retracted her decision to step down from the post of president of the association, had alleged that her “fight” was against those named in the Hema Committee report, which had probed the problems faced by women in Malayalam cinema. She had earlier publicly announced her decision to step down after a section of the members moved a no-confidence motion against her panel at the annual general body meeting of the association held in Kochi on June 21, 2026.

However, she reversed her decision later and said the executive committee led by her would continue. She had stated that she would ensure that those named in the Hema Committee report would not assume leadership roles in the association.

Actor Maala Paravathi, who was among those who had sought the resignation of the panel for its alleged failure to run the association properly, has asked Ms. Menon to disclose the names of those named in the report who are trying to take up leadership roles in the association. She said the common names figuring in such discussions, including actors Siddique, Baburaj and Edavela Babu, were not mentioned in the Hema Committee report. Moreover, they have already clarified that they do not intend to assume key roles in the association. They were also not nominated to the ad-hoc committee formed at the general body meeting after Ms. Menon had announced her resignation, she said.

Ms. Parvathi said Ms. Menon has the “obligation” to disclose the names before the public and the members of the association. Otherwise, such statements will only help in creating unnecessary doubts and misunderstanding, she said.

Actor Usha Haseena blamed Ms. Menon of trying to cover up her failure to present the financial statement of the association by raising such baseless allegations. She said “nobody has asked” that those facing allegations should take up key roles in the actors’ body. “We have only asked you to step down from your post. It is a truth that you were forced to resign after the members rejected the report and false accounts at the general body meeting, she said.

Ms. Haseena alleged that Ms. Menon has no qualification to remain in the president’s post after facing serious allegations of financial irregularities.

The Hema Committee report on the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry was published on August 19, 2024, five years after it was submitted to the Kerala government. It had revealed horrid tales of sexual exploitation, illegal bans, discrimination, drug and alcohol abuse, wage disparity and in some cases, inhuman working conditions.

The report had multiple references to a ‘power group’. It has come out in evidence that around 10 to 15 individuals in cinema, who are at the forefront of the Malayalam film industry, constitute a power group and that they are controlling the industry, it said. The report mentioned that the power group had banned people from working in the industry “once they turn against someone.”