
Shwetha Menon becomes 1st woman President of Malayalam film body, says 'don't expect miracles'
Her victory follows a year of turmoil after the resignation of the Mohanlal-led committee in August 2024, which stepped down in the wake of the explosive Hema Committee report that exposed widespread issues including sexual misconduct and pay disparity within the industry.
Reacting to her election, Menon stated, 'I haven't planned anything. I am just waiting for the first meeting to happen. I don't have an agenda. I do have my personal plan, but I need to discuss this because this is a very serious matter. And though it's 506 people, for me it's a big family and I need to keep everyone together. '
She added, "As a woman, I feel we are multitaskers and to do this I think it's not going to be that difficult. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I am able to do something really good and I'm looking forward to it. But it's going to be baby steps — please don't expect miracles, but yes, we will be doing something for a change."
Lakshmi Priya was elected Vice President, with Kukku Parameshwaran and Ansiba Hasan as Joint Secretary and General Secretary respectively. Unni Shivapal won the position of Treasurer.
Menon's win comes during what is being described as the most controversial election in AMMA's history, marred by personal disputes and legal battles.
Of the organisation's 506 eligible members, only 298 cast their votes, a significant drop from the 70 per cent polling rate in the previous election to just 58 per cent this year.
Notably absent from the voting process were major stars such as Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Nivin Pauly, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Indrajith Sukumaran, and Asif Ali.
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Madam president
Actor Shwetha Menon has broken the glass ceiling in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) after being elected as its first woman president. Since its inception in 1994, the actors' body in the Malayalam film industry never had a woman as its president or general secretary. The 51-year-old defeated senior actor Devan to clinch the lead post in a keen electoral race held on August 15. She has a trusted lieutenant in actor Kukku Parameswaran, who was elected as the first woman general secretary of the association. The election to the 17-member executive committee was necessitated after the previous committee led by its president and actor Mohanlal stepped down on August 27, 2024, following the release of the Hema Committee report on the problems faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee was disbanded as allegations of sexual abuse and misbehaviour were raised against its members, including the office-bearers. Born in Chandigarh as the daughter of an Indian Air Force official, Shwetha entered the tinsel town in 1991 after she was paired opposite actor Mammootty in the movie Anaswaram. She shot into national fame after she won the Femina Miss India Asia Pacific title in 1994 and became the Gladrags female supermodel in the same year. She sizzled in ad films and walked the ramp with elan before trying her luck in Bollywood in 1997 through the movie Ishq. Some of her Hindi movies included Asoka, Maqbool and Corporate. Her performance as Cheeru in director Ranjith's Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha won her the Kerala State Film Award for the Best Actress in 2009. She repeated her stellar performance in 2011 and won the best actress in the Kerala Film Award for her portrayal of Maya, a dubbing artiste and foodie, in Aashiq Abu's Salt N' Pepper. She has worked in over 100 movies in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, besides hosting various TV shows. She has had her share of controversies in her over three-decade-old career. In November 2013, she lodged a police complaint alleging that then Congress MP N. Peethambara Kurup had physically misbehaved with her. She later withdrew it after he tendered an apology. She received brickbats from a section of viewers after she allowed her delivery to be recorded on camera and use the footage in filmmaker Blessy's Kalimannu in which she played the lead role. The Kerala High Court, which heard the matter, refused to intervene saying the actor had consented to the shooting of her delivery and there was no violation of her fundamental right. Illegal bans She never ruffled feathers with the protracted male-dominated leadership in the association. However, she did not remain mute after the Hema panel report was published while asserting that she had also faced illegal bans. She resigned from the Internal Complaints Committee of the association, along with actors Maala Parvathi and Kukku Parameswaran in 2022 following the reluctance of then leadership to take action against actor-producer Vijay Babu in a case registered by the Kochi city police on charges of alleged rape of a young woman actor and revealing the identity of the survivor. Just a week before the election, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against her by the Kochi city police under Section 67 A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, on a complaint lodged by a native of Ernakulam 'for making financial gains through her roles in movies having alleged vulgar and obscene content'. Speculations were rife that the complaint was allegedly aided by her detractors from within the association. The actor heaved a sigh of relief after the Kerala High Court stayed the proceedings in connection with the FIR. Despite the scenes of jubilation over the election of women in lead roles in the association, the way forward may not be a cakewalk for her in view of the internal rift and mud-slinging witnessed ahead of the election. The fissures within the organisation seem deep and will require her to pull out all the stops to stay afloat.


NDTV
4 hours ago
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Kerala Man Spent 51 Years In UAE Helping Indians, His Viral Return Will Move You
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Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Indian man who helped countless people land UAE jobs returns after 51 years, greeted by roaring busload of people
An Indian expatriate from Kerala, who spent over five decades in the United Arab Emirates assisting thousands with employment visas and personally guiding dozens from his hometown into jobs, has now returned home. The man, identified as Thayyil Abdul Gafoor, received a grand welcome as a roaring busload of people greeted him in Kerala, a moment that has since gone viral. The Indian expat known as the 'real-life Gafoor' left UAE after decades of helping jobseekers and received a grand welcome in Kerala.(Instagram/siyotechtravel ) Check out the clip here: Fondly called the 'Real-life Gafoor' Thayyil Abdul Gafoor, 64, is widely known as the 'real-life Gafoor' among Malayalis, a name earned for his generosity in securing jobs for others. The title draws a contrast with the fictional conman Gafoor from the 1980s Malayalam cult comedy classic Nadodikkattu. According to a Gulf News report, Gafoor bid farewell to Dubai last week after multiple parties organised by his friends and colleagues. Upon arrival at Calicut International Airport, he was greeted by a surprise reception. A busload of well-wishers shouting slogans rented a state-run KSRTC bus to carry him to his village, Maruthinchira, in Malappuram district. A celebration fit for a local hero As Gafoor entered his village aboard the bus, an escort vehicle announced through loudspeakers, 'Our own Gafoorka has landed.' His arrival was marked by a drum ensemble, followed by a public reception attended by local officials and residents. A tribute video highlighting his life's journey was also screened. The reception was organised by members of his neighbourhood group, the KKB Group, to honour the man who, unlike his on-screen namesake played by the late comedian Mamukkoya, truly changed lives. 'It is all thanks to Dubai' Speaking from Maruthinchira, Gafoor told Gulf News he was overwhelmed by the grand welcome. 'It is all thanks to Dubai,' he said. 'I reached heights that I had never imagined I would because of Dubai's generosity. If anyone's life has changed because of me, it is all thanks to Dubai. I have only been a catalyst.' He added, 'I am always grateful to Dubai and the UAE for providing livelihood to not just me, but millions of Indians, especially those from Kerala. In my case, it is the fourth generation that is calling the UAE home now.' Looking ahead in Kerala Community members said Gafoor personally helped dozens from his town with paperwork and references for employment in Dubai. While he admitted he never kept count, he credited his wife of 45 years for connecting many job seekers through her network. Now back in Kerala, Gafoor plans to enjoy his homeland, reconnect with people, and oversee a company producing Arabic breads, which he had started 15 years ago. 'I've spent a lifetime building a career and helping others. Now it's time to explore life in Kerala,' he said.