The internal rift and dramatic power struggles within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) show no signs of abating, as a fresh controversy over Onam kit distribution has intensified factionalism inside the organization. Discontent has also been brewing among general members over top superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty remaining distant observers despite the deep crisis threatening the association’s stability.
The dispute erupted when a section of actors firmly refused to accept the annual festival kits distributed by the faction led by actor Swetha Menon. Opposing members argued that Swetha Menon and her team have no moral or administrative authority to oversee distributions since they had previously announced their resignations during the General Body meeting. The protest initially gained momentum inside a WhatsApp group of female actors named ‘Penmakkal’ (Daughters), quickly leading to a widespread boycott of the kits by a majority of members.
Critiquing the current situation, several actors emphasized that the court order staying the ad-hoc committee led by Ramesh Pisharody does not grant Swetha Menon’s faction an official license to govern. They alleged that Swetha’s group is hastily attempting to regain full control ahead of the upcoming court hearing scheduled for August 11. With the conflict escalating daily, a growing section of artists is now demanding the appointment of an official Registrar to manage the association’s daily affairs.
The crisis stems from the chaotic aftermath of the recent General Body meeting, where the Swetha Menon-led committee announced its resignation following heavy criticism. In response, a temporary ad-hoc committee was formed under actor-filmmaker Ramesh Pisharody. However, the legal dynamic shifted dramatically when Swetha Menon approached the court, alleging that no formal written resignations had been submitted and asserting her determination not to step aside until clear answers were provided regarding accusations against her.
Considering the legal framework, the court clarified that the existing committee could remain in office until fresh elections were held, prompting Ramesh Pisharody and his team to step down completely from the ad-hoc committee. To avoid prolonged litigation, the ad-hoc committee formally surrendered office keys, official registers, email accounts, and Wi-Fi passwords to General Secretary Kukku Parameswaran, though members expressed disappointment that the General Body failed to stand by them during the legal fallout. As tensions mount, the entire Malayalam film fraternity now eagerly awaits the crucial court ruling on August 11 to determine the future leadership of the historic organization.
