Latest news with #PaleriManikyam:OruPathirakolapathakathinteKatha
The Print
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Print
Year after release of Hema panel report, Malayalam actors' body elects women to its top positions
Earlier, in July, actor Ansiba Hassan was elected unopposed as joint secretary. Established in 1994, this is the first time women have been appointed to key positions in the organisation. After the results were announced, the new leadership took oath in Kochi. According to the members, 298 of a total of 506 members participated in the election held on 15 August. Actor Shwetha Menon has been elected president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), while Kukku Parameswaran has been appointed general secretary. Actors Lakshmi Priya and Jayan Cherthala have been elected vice presidents, and Unni Shivapal has taken on the role of treasurer. Thiruvananthapuram: For the first time in its history, the actors' body of the Malayalam film industry elected women to its highest positions on 15 August, following a contentious election and various controversies. Expressing her joy at being elected through a democratic process, Shwetha said she hoped the announcement would not lead to controversy. 'You (the media) said AMMA should be led by a woman. Now, it is a woman. You should support me. I believe there is no difference between men and women in cinema; we are merely characters between action and cuts,' she remarked. The actor mentioned that she had a personal vision for the organisation but would reveal it only after an executive meeting. She also noted that any conflict within the organisation would be addressed internally and she would seek the guidance of industry veterans such as Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Suresh Gopi, who are regarded as the patrons of AMMA. 'It will be a gradual progress. Do not anticipate miracles immediately,' she cautioned. The general body election was prompted after the executive committee, led by Mohanlal, submitted mass resignations in August 2024 following the release of the Hema Committee report. Elected in June 2024, 17 members of the executive committee resigned after allegations were made against several members following the report's publication. Formed in 2019 by the Kerala government, the Hema Committee studied issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry and revealed widespread and persistent sexual harassment. Though submitted in December 2019, the report was only released five years later in 2024. For the election on 15 August, six nominations were submitted for the presidential position, including that of Shwetha. However, prior to the withdrawal deadline, Jagadish, Raveendran, Jayan Cherthala, and Anoop Chandran retracted their candidacies, leaving Shwetha and Devan to compete. The election was also marred by numerous controversies. A week ahead of the polls, Shwetha was charged by the Ernakulam Central Police of participating in obscene or explicit films and advertisements for financial gain. The complaint, lodged by social activist Martin Menachery, referenced her roles in films such as 'Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha', 'Rathinirvedam', and 'Kalimannu'. Clips from these productions were disseminated on social media and adult websites. Shwetha approached the Kerala High Court to annul the FIR, and on 7 August, the court issued an interim stay on all proceedings in the matter until 23 September. Kukku too faced accusations of having 'lost' a memory card that contained sensitive video recordings from a 2018 meeting of women actors in the industry, during which they expressed their grievances. She asserted that she was being targeted to damage her reputation during the election period. Shwetha began her career in the early 1990s and has appeared in prominent South Indian films in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil, in addition to several Hindi films. In 1994, she also participated in the Miss India contest, where she was the third runner-up. Her significant career breakthrough occurred post-2000, with performances in 'Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha' (2009) and 'Salt N' Pepper' (2011), both of which earned her the Kerala State Award for Best Actress. Kukku started out as a child actor in the early 1980s. In 1988, she received the State Film Award for second best actress for her role in 'Ore Thooval Pakshikal'. She has also featured in films like the 1999 Mohanlal-starrer 'Vanaprastham, Anantharam' (1987), and 'Nizhalkuthu' (2002). (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Thilakan called out Malayalam movie mafia before Hema committee report. He was banned for it
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Lights, camera, action! Shwetha fights off odds to plot her comeback
KOCHI: Shwetha Menon's election as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) marks a stunning comeback. As she filed her nomination for the post, the actor, who has been active in Malayalam cinema since 1991, encountered many obstacles. An FIR was filed with the Ernakulam Central police station on August 6 charging her with 'transmitting sexually explicit content' and 'indecent representation' of women through her roles in certain films, some of them widely acclaimed. Shwetha, who served as vice-president of AMMA from 2021 to 2024, was the first woman to hold that position. In 2022, she resigned from the internal complaints committee expressing disappointment over 'inaction' against Vijay Babu following rape allegations against the actor-producer. Commenting on the case against her, Shwetha said she believes it was part of an election stunt. 'Because the films the petitioner mentioned were released some 10-12 years ago. I don't understand the basis of the case. The case is now in court. I cannot comment on it,' she told reporters on Friday. Shwetha became a household name in the state through her roles in films such as Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha, Penpattanam, Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty, Salt n' Pepper, Kalimannu, etc. She won the state award for best actress twice for Paleri Manikyam and Salt n' Pepper. 'It is always better when women fight and win. It is good that Shwetha fought and won,' said Devan, Shwetha's opponent. The new chair hopes to see past members returning to AMMA. About members who left the association following the actor assault case in 2017, she said, they can return to the organisation. 'They can come back. They are all part of the family. They are most welcome. I am willing to invite them personally. We will work together. There were many discussions here. The issues will be solved,' Shwetha said. reel power Total members: 506 Votes polled: 298 President: Shwetha Menon General secretary: Kukku Parameswaran Vice-presidents: Jayan Cherthala and Lakshmi Priya Joint secretary: Ansiba Hassan Treasurer: Unni Shivapal Executive committee members: 11 Anjali Nair Asha Aravind Sarayu Mohan Neena Kurup Joy Mathew Kailash Nandu Poduval Santhosh Keezhattoor Tini Tom Vinu Mohan Sijoy Varghese Poll Absentees Mammootty Manju Warrier Indrajith Prithviraj
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
AMMA president Shwetha Menon's remarkable Malayalam films to watch right now
Actress Shwetha Menon made history on Friday as she became the first woman president of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes or AMMA. From making her debut in the 1990s to doing notable roles in the 2000s, Shwetha Menon has an interesting career graph in the Malayalam film industry. Known for her bold choices in films, Shwetha Menon has done some remarkable roles that you need to watch. All these films are available on OTTplay Premium Shwetha Menon, Lal in Salt N' Pepper 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.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Ready to speak to those who quit AMMA, says Shwetha Menon
Actor Shwetha Menon struck a conciliatory note after being elected as the first woman president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) on Friday. The 51-year-old said she is ready to speak to members who resigned from the organisation on various reasons when asked about the actors who quit in protest against the position taken by the body in the case pertaining to the alleged abduction and sexual assault of a woman actor in Kochi eight years ago. She declined to respond on whether anybody from within had acted behind the First Information Report registered against her under Section 67 A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 on charges of making financial gains through her roles in movies having alleged vulgar and obscene content. 'It's sub-judice,' she said. The Kerala High Court later stayed the criminal proceedings against her. Shwetha, whose filmography included Paradesi, Salt N' Pepper, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha, Rathinirvedam, and Kalimannu, said she had always echoed the view that those accused in cases related to assault on women should not contest in the elections held in the association. Kukku Parameswaran Kukku Parameswaran, who was elected as the first woman general secretary of the association, said the newly formed executive committee will discuss all issues with due seriousness. Asked whether it took so long for the body to have women as its president and general secretary, she said such changes required time to become a reality, though it will happen one day. A theatre artiste, fashion designer and dancer, Kukku blamed the media for portraying the members as 'male' and 'female.' ''We are all one,'' said the actor whose movies include Ore Thooval Pakshikal, Kazhakam, Cotton Mary, and Nizhalkuthu.
NDTV
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Actor Shwetha Menon Goes To Kerala High Court To Set Aside Obscene Films Case
Malayalam actor Shwetha Menon on Thursday approached the Kerala High Court in a bid to quash the FIR registered against her over allegations of featuring in obscene movies and advertisements for commercial gains. The actor, who is contesting the upcoming election for Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) president on August 15, through her lawyers Unni Sebastian Kappen and M Revikrishnan told the high court that the claims are "ex facie absurd and improbable". According to a report in The New Indian Express, the Ernakulam Police on Wednesday filed an FIR against Shwetha Menon for alleged offences under Sections 3 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, and Section 67(A) (Publishing or transmitting material containing sexually explicit acts) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The case was registered against the actor on a complaint by an activist named Martin Menachery, following which the Ernakulam CJM court directed the local police to start proceedings in the matter. In his complaint, Martin Menachery specifically mentioned Shwetha Menon's roles in Malayalam films such as Rathinirvedam, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha and Kalimannu, along with her appearance in a condom ad, stating the actor featured in these projects containing obscene and vulgar visuals to gain financial benefit. On the other hand, the petition by Shwetha Menon stated that the complaint is unfounded, baseless, and absurd, adding that the films she appeared in were cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification for public viewing. She even won the Kerala State Award for Best Actress for 2009's Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha, one of the many films listed by the complainant. Amid legal trouble, a section of Malayalam cinema actors have voiced their support for Shwetha Menon. Actor Maala Parvathi expressed suspicion over the timing of the complaint, adding the case was part of a larger conspiracy Shwetha Menon is vying for the post of the AMMA president. Actor Devan, who is also in the running for the same position, dismissed the complaint terming it "nonsense". Actor Raveendran, contesting for the general secretary's post of AMMA, also backed the actor. If elected, Shwetha Menon would be the first woman president of AMMA in its 31-year history.
