The Crisis Deepens: More Resignations Rock 'AMMA' After Executive Board Collapse

As actor Asha Aravind steps down from the newly minted ad-hoc committee, the internal turmoil within Kerala’s apex film body shows no signs of abating.

The once-sturdy walls of 'AMMA' (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) are looking increasingly fragile. Only days after the entire executive committee, led by president Shwetha Menon, resigned in the wake of mounting internal pressure and accusations of mismanagement, the organization is facing fresh embarrassment. Asha Aravind, a member of the recently announced ad-hoc committee, has stepped down, confirming her exit via a WhatsApp group shared by former office bearers.

The ad-hoc committee, formed under the leadership of actor and Palakkad MLA Ramesh Pisharody to steer the organization through this vacuum, was intended to stabilize the ship. However, the inclusion of members from the previous, outgoing executive board—like Aravind—drew immediate scrutiny from the membership. Questions regarding the legitimacy of retaining figures from a dissolved committee in a new, interim body sparked intense debates, ultimately leading to Aravind's decision to withdraw.

A Storm of Resignations

The collapse of the previous board was nothing short of dramatic. Shwetha Menon, who had made history as the first woman to lead the organization, faced a tide of dissent, with members openly demanding the board’s dissolution and the disclosure of financial records. Menon, defending her tenure, claimed the board was targeted by a calculated agenda and asserted that the financial accounts under her watch were transparent, even hinting at irregularities in previous regimes.

Alongside the high-profile exits, names like Mallika Sukumaran have also surfaced in reports of resignations, reflecting a broader disillusionment among the veteran and younger members alike. The atmosphere at the general body meeting, where Jagadish announced the formation of the nine-member ad-hoc panel, was thick with tension. With members like K.B. Ganesh Kumar, Suresh Krishna, and Kalabhavan Shajohn on the interim panel, the goal was to hold elections within four months. Yet, the rapid departure of Aravind suggests that the internal strife is far from resolved.

Why it Matters: The Bigger Picture

This is more than just a sequence of resignations; it is a structural crisis for an organization that has long functioned as the bedrock of the Malayalam film industry. When a body meant to protect the interests of its members becomes the subject of public scrutiny—with allegations of conspiracy, financial opacity, and internal factionalism—it signals a loss of institutional trust. The demand for transparency and the rejection of old guard politics highlight a generational and ideological shift within the industry. For the observer, this isn't just about who sits in the chair; it’s about whether 'AMMA' can evolve from a closed-door collective into a modern, accountable institution.

The path ahead remains uncertain. As the ad-hoc committee attempts to reorganize, the shadow of the previous administration's failures looms large. Until the organization addresses the underlying grievances of its members—ranging from financial accountability to the representation of women—it will likely remain in a state of flux, struggling to regain the credibility it once held in the eyes of the public and its own fraternity.