Kochi, August 15: Actress Shwetha Menon has been elected as the first woman president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), marking a significant moment in the history of the organisation. The election, held on Thursday, saw a voter turnout of 298 out of 506 eligible members, with Menon winning 159 votes.

Alongside her, Kukku Parameswaran secured the post of general secretary with 172 votes, while Jayan Cherthala and Lakshmipriya were chosen as vice-presidents. Ansiba Hassan was elected unopposed as joint secretary, and Unni Shivapal took charge as treasurer.

In her remarks, Menon thanked the members for their trust and pledged to work for unity within the Malayalam film industry. She also extended an invitation to members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), who had earlier distanced themselves from AMMA, signalling an intention to bridge differences and encourage inclusivity.

The newly elected leadership takes charge at a time when the association has faced criticism and challenges following debates on transparency and gender equality in the Malayalam film sector. Observers note that Menon’s victory reflects a shift in the organisation’s outlook, with greater space being given to women in decision-making positions.

Shwetha Menon’s election is being viewed as both a symbolic milestone and a practical step towards strengthening representation and addressing longstanding concerns within the film fraternity.