Shwetha Menon elected first female president of AMMA; Kukku Parameshwaran becomes general secretary

Shwetha Menon
| Photo Credit:
S. MAHINSHA/THE HINDU

Women will lead the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) for the first time in its 31-year history.

Actress Shwetha Menon and Kukku Parameshwaran were elected as president and general secretary, respectively, in a keenly contested election to the executive committee held in Kochi on Friday. They defeated actors Devan and Raveendran, respectively.

Over 290 of the total 504 members cast their votes to elect the executive committee for the next three years.

Executive team

Actor Unni Shivapal is the new treasurer. Jayan Cherthala and Lakshmipriya were elected to the post of vice presidents.

AMMA has never had a woman as its president or general secretary since its inception three decades ago. However, women have been elected to the posts of vice president, joint secretary, and member of the executive committee earlier.

The resignation of Mohanlal in August last year, following the sexual harassment allegations against some of its members after the release of the Hema Committee report, had facilitated elections to select a new committee. With Mohanlal stepping down and deciding not to contest, the election has set the stage for a keen battle between Shwetha Menon and Devan.

Support and unity

Shwetha Menon said she was very happy to have been elected and sought the support of all, including veteran actors, to unify the organisation. The candidature of Shwetha Menon received a boost after senior actors, including Mohanlal and Mammootty, extended all support for having women in lead roles in the association.

Actor Jagadeesh, who had initially filed the nomination for the post of president, backed out after he extended support for a woman president.

Published on August 15, 2025