AMMA president Shwetha Menon's remarkable Malayalam films to watch right now
Shwetha Menon's films to watch now
Salt N' Pepper
Two middle aged people - Kalidasan and Maya - are at the centre of this film, which stood out from the usual fare with its fresh narrative style and performances. A misdialled phone call introduces Kalidasan to Maya as they connect over their common passion for food. Shwetha convincingly plays Maya, a dubbing artiste, who is battling her own set of insecurities, much like Kalidasan. Actors Asif Ali and Mythili play other key roles in the film, which is a must-watch.
Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha
Haridas returns to his village in Kerala, named Paleri, seeking to find the truth behind a murder that happened decades ago. Shwetha Menon plays Cheeru in this Malayalam mystery film, which fetched her very first Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress. The film is led by Malayalam megastar Mammootty, who appears in triple roles, and yet again secured a State Best Actor Award.
Kalimannu
This Malayalam film, courted much controversy, as it features real-life footage of Shwetha Menon's labour and childbirth. In Kalimannu, Shwetha plays Meera, a club dancer, who aspires to act in films. It follows the events after she marries a taxi driver. The 2011 film, helmed by acclaimed director Blessy, made headlines during the recent AMMA elections as well.
A meek Meenakshi Pillai, who is in her 50s, files for divorce from her husband Thanu Pillai, a hardened elderly man. Through the tales of Meenakshi and Thanu, Ozhimuri (which means divorce) explores the power dynamics in a household and the matrilineal system which was prevalent in Kerala. Shwetha Menon plays Thanu's mother, a strong woman.
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New Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Breaking the script in cinema's power circle
Swetha Menon's election as the first woman president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) is more than symbolic. It signals a long-overdue shift in a male-dominated industry long accused of apathy toward gender justice. That she replaces a towering figure like Mohanlal only amplifies the weight of the moment. After years of being at the periphery of institutional power, women in alayalam cinema finally have a voice at the very top and it belongs to someone who has never shied away from speaking her mind. The election, held in Kochi, was closely fought. Swetha edged out veteran actor Devan by just 21 votes. Out of 506 eligible members, 298 cast their ballots. The results weren't just about Swetha's win. They reflected a broader change. Alongside her, three other women secured key posts: Kukku Parameswaran was elected General Secretary, defeating actor Raveendran, and actors Lakshmi Priyaa and Jayan Cherthala became vice presidents. This reshaped AMMA leadership is being seen as a response to years of discontent from within the industry, especially after the fallout of the 2017 actress assault case and the release of the Hema Committee report in 2024. Swetha's win didn't come without friction. Days before the vote, a legal complaint accused her of profiting from 'obscene' content, a charge widely seen as a smear campaign. But the attempt backfired, reinforcing her reputation as someone who refuses to be silenced or shamed. Throughout her career, Swetha has stood her ground, both on screen and off,despite repeated attempts to marginalize or undermine her. Born in Chandigarh into a military family, Swetha entered the entertainment world at 13. She first gained national recognition after winning the Miss India Asia Pacific title in 1994, which launched her modeling and television career. Soon, she transitioned to cinema. After debuting in Malayalam films with Anaswaram, she appeared in Bollywood hits like Ishq and Bandhan. But it was her second innings in Malayalam cinema, beginning in the mid-2000s, that cemented her place as an actor of substance. Swetha deliberately pivoted toward complex, grounded roles, and her performances in Paaleri Manikyam (2009) and Salt N' Pepper (2011) won her Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actress. She would go on to win nearly 40 accolades across languages. But even at her artistic peak, she remained a figure unafraid to confront.
New Indian Express
33 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Breaking the script in cinema's power circle: Swetha Menon becomes AMMA's first woman president
Swetha Menon's election as the first woman president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) is more than symbolic. It signals a long-overdue shift in a male-dominated industry long accused of apathy toward gender justice. That she replaces a towering figure like Mohanlal only amplifies the weight of the moment. After years of being at the periphery of institutional power, women in alayalam cinema finally have a voice at the very top and it belongs to someone who has never shied away from speaking her mind. The election, held in Kochi, was closely fought. Swetha edged out veteran actor Devan by just 21 votes. Out of 506 eligible members, 298 cast their ballots. The results weren't just about Swetha's win. They reflected a broader change. Alongside her, three other women secured key posts: Kukku Parameswaran was elected General Secretary, defeating actor Raveendran, and actors Lakshmi Priyaa and Jayan Cherthala became vice presidents. This reshaped AMMA leadership is being seen as a response to years of discontent from within the industry, especially after the fallout of the 2017 actress assault case and the release of the Hema Committee report in 2024. Swetha's win didn't come without friction. Days before the vote, a legal complaint accused her of profiting from 'obscene' content, a charge widely seen as a smear campaign. But the attempt backfired, reinforcing her reputation as someone who refuses to be silenced or shamed. Throughout her career, Swetha has stood her ground, both on screen and off,despite repeated attempts to marginalize or undermine her. Born in Chandigarh into a military family, Swetha entered the entertainment world at 13. She first gained national recognition after winning the Miss India Asia Pacific title in 1994, which launched her modeling and television career. Soon, she transitioned to cinema. After debuting in Malayalam films with Anaswaram, she appeared in Bollywood hits like Ishq and Bandhan. But it was her second innings in Malayalam cinema, beginning in the mid-2000s, that cemented her place as an actor of substance. Swetha deliberately pivoted toward complex, grounded roles, and her performances in Paaleri Manikyam (2009) and Salt N' Pepper (2011) won her Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actress. She would go on to win nearly 40 accolades across languages. But even at her artistic peak, she remained a figure unafraid to confront.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Shouldn't men be the ones ruling?'; Kollam Thulasi sparks row with sexist remark – Joke or serious?
The recently concluded AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) elections, which saw actress scripting history as the first-ever woman president, have unfortunately been overshadowed by a controversial remark from actor . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a video shared by ICG Instagram handle, speaking to an online channel about the outcome, Thulasi said, 'Shouldn't men be the ones ruling? Women should be beneath us.' Although he later claimed it was meant as a joke, the video clip quickly went viral, sparking outrage on social media. Was it a joke or serious? On the other hand, there seems to be a sarcastic tone in Kollam Thulasi's comments. In the video, the actor says, 'Yes, take this statement – men should be above women'. Kollam Thulasi concludes by saying, 'I said this in a fun way, okay?' This suggests that the actor was indeed speaking in a light-hearted manner or mocking online media for twisting news. Shweta Menon scripts history with grace Despite the controversy, Shweta Menon's win is surely a milestone. Winning with a margin of 20 votes against her opponent Devan, Shweta addressed the press with humility and inclusiveness. 'Such a fiercely contested election has never taken place in AMMA before. I would never say Devan was defeated — instead, I believe I have received his blessings,' she said. Malayalam film industry unites to condemn FIR against Shwetha Menon over condom ad She further emphasized the need for unity within the fraternity and assured that AMMA would welcome members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) wholeheartedly. New leadership team takes charge Along with Shweta Menon's historic win, the elections saw Kukku Parameswaran elected as General Secretary, defeating Ravindran. Lakshmipriya and Jayan Cherthala were chosen as Vice Presidents, after a contest that also included Naser Latheef. The outcome marks a significant shift in the association's leadership structure as Shwetha Menon puts it, "AMMA is now a woman."
