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Year after release of Hema panel report, Malayalam actors' body elects women to its top positions
Year after release of Hema panel report, Malayalam actors' body elects women to its top positions

The Print

time3 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

Actor Shwetha Menon gets BIG relief: Kerala HC orders interim stay in alleged obscene films scenes case
Actor Shwetha Menon gets BIG relief: Kerala HC orders interim stay in alleged obscene films scenes case

Mint

time07-08-2025

  • Politics
  • Mint

Actor Shwetha Menon gets BIG relief: Kerala HC orders interim stay in alleged obscene films scenes case

On Thursday, the Kerala High Court ordered in favour of Malayalam film actor Shwetha Menon after an FIR was lodged against her for allegedly earning money via vulgar or obscene films. The court stayed the proceedings for now. The interim order was passed by Justice V G Arun on a plea moved by the actor to quash the FIR against her. The High Court has observed that there is a prima facie basis to the argument made by the actor's legal counsel, which stated that proper procedure was not followed before the complaint was referred for police investigation. As per legal protocol, a preliminary inquiry or a police report should have been sought prior to forwarding the complaint. The court noted, "Given the brief time span between the filing of the complaint and its referral to the police, it appears that the mandated procedure was bypassed. The Registry is directed to obtain a report from the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court in Ernakulam to verify the steps taken before forwarding the complaint for investigation." The High Court has ordered a temporary stay on further proceedings in Crime No. 1075/2025 registered by the Ernakulam Central Police. Additionally, the court has issued notices to both the state government and the complainant who had initially approached the magistrate's court, leading to the registration of the FIR. An FIR has been filed against actor Shwetha Menon under Section 67 of the IT Act (for publishing or sharing obscene content online) and sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Shwetha, known for Malayalam films like Salt N' Pepper, Rathinirvedam, and Kalimannu, is currently contesting for the president's post in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). The election is scheduled for August 15. In her petition to quash the FIR, Shwetha argued that the case is false and motivated. She also said that the charges don't apply to her. The complaint, filed by public activist Martin Menachery, alleges that Shwetha appeared in films like Rathinirvedam, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha, and Kalimannu, as well as a condom ad, featuring obscene visuals for financial gain. However, the actor has denied all claims, saying that all the films and ads mentioned in the complaint, were cleared by the censor board and have been available publicly for years. She also mentioned that her role in the film Paleri Manikyam won her the Kerala State Award for Best Actress. The petition also called the claim that she is involved in porn websites "absurd and defamatory," and stated that such allegations were made irresponsibly without any proof. Shwetha further said the complaint was filed only after she submitted her nomination for the AMMA president post, hinting towards bigger motives.

Actor Shwetha Menon Goes To Kerala High Court To Set Aside Obscene Films Case
Actor Shwetha Menon Goes To Kerala High Court To Set Aside Obscene Films Case

NDTV

time07-08-2025

  • 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.

Malayalam Film Industry Condemns FIR Against Shwetha Menon For Condom Ad: "Baseless"
Malayalam Film Industry Condemns FIR Against Shwetha Menon For Condom Ad: "Baseless"

NDTV

time07-08-2025

  • Entertainment
  • NDTV

Malayalam Film Industry Condemns FIR Against Shwetha Menon For Condom Ad: "Baseless"

New Delhi: Several actors from the Malayalam film industry have condemned the complaint filed against actor Shwetha Menon. They referred to it as "politically motivated and baseless". The Ernakulam Central Police recently registered a first information report (FIR) against Menon under Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, accusing her of acting in films and advertisements with alleged vulgar content for financial gain. Actor Maala Parvathi took to social media to express her suspicion that the complaint was part of a larger conspiracy. "It may be a handiwork of somebody whose wish to head the organisation had failed to materialise. Such a conspiracy was plotted against actor Kukku Parameswaran, who is contesting for the post of general secretary," she said. Parvathi pointed out that the complaint was lodged just as Menon is contesting for the post of president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Senior actor Devan, who is also in the running for the post of AMMA president, dismissed the complaint as "nonsense and filed with an ulterior motive," as per The Hindu. He said, "It will not stand the test of law. We may have differences within, but no member of the actors' body will support such a baseless allegation." Actor Raveendran, contesting for the general secretary's post, also criticised the FIR. "The association would jointly oppose any move to defame members on the basis of such baseless allegations. An inquiry should be done on how this complaint had emerged as it was done with a malicious intent," he said. Background The FIR against Shwetha Menon was registered by Ernakulam Central Police in Kochi on August 6, 2025, based on a directive from the First Class Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam. The action followed a complaint filed by public activist Martin Menachery, who alleged that the actor featured in obscene films and advertisements for profit. The complaint cites Menon's performances in Malayalam films such as Rathinirvedam, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha, and Kalimannu, along with her appearance in a condom advertisement. The police have booked the actor under the Prevention of Obscenity Act and the IT Act. Menon, known for her roles in Malayalam hits as well as Bollywood films like Bandhan and Asoka, is contesting for the AMMA presidency in elections scheduled for August 15. Of the six candidates who had filed nominations for the post, four, including senior actor Jagadeesh, withdrew before the last date of withdrawal on Thursday, according to AMMA sources. The position was left vacant after Malayalam superstar Mohanlal resigned as AMMA president following the explosive findings of the Justice Hema Committee report last year. Shwetha Menon was most recently seen in the Malayalam thriller Jankar, which released last month. Her upcoming film, Karam, an action thriller, is slated for release in September.

Malayalam Actor Shwetha Menon Moves Kerala HC To Quash FIR On 'Vulgar' Scenes Ahead Of AMMA Elections
Malayalam Actor Shwetha Menon Moves Kerala HC To Quash FIR On 'Vulgar' Scenes Ahead Of AMMA Elections

News18

time07-08-2025

  • Politics
  • News18

Malayalam Actor Shwetha Menon Moves Kerala HC To Quash FIR On 'Vulgar' Scenes Ahead Of AMMA Elections

Last Updated: Shwetha Menon asked the Kerala HC to dismiss a criminal case against her, claiming it's intended to harm her campaign within AMMA before the presidential election. Malayalam actress Shwetha Menon has approached the Kerala High Court seeking to quash the criminal case registered against her, days before the crucial AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) presidential election. In her petition, she has linked the timing of the case to an alleged attempt to tarnish her image within the organisation, where she is a frontrunner. The FIR invokes Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which penalizes the publication or transmission of sexually explicit content in electronic form. It also cites Sections 3 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, relating to prostitution-related offences—specifically, for allegedly maintaining or permitting premises to be used as a brothel (Section 3) and for procuring or inducing a person for prostitution (Section 5). Menon, who is contesting for the post of president of AMMA, stated in her plea that if elected, she would be the first woman to head the prominent film body. The case in question pertains to allegations of obscenity in films she acted in — all of which, she has argued, have long been legally certified by the Censor Board and released publicly. 'The last day for withdrawal of the nomination was 31st July. It is on the said date that Annexure-1 complaint is submitted. It is apposite in this context to point out that, in connection with the election to the association, faction feud, was going on and common consensus leaned towards a women president making her a strong contender for the post", she said. In her petition, Shwetha Menon also said that the films cited in the complaint — including Rathinirvedam, Paleri Manikyam and Kalimannu — were all legally certified and have been available in the public domain for years. She argues that the sudden filing of the case just as the AMMA elections approach appears to be intended to damage her public image and derail her campaign. She has asked the High Court to quash the FIR and stay further proceedings. The outcome of the plea could have a major impact not only on her candidacy but on the trajectory of the AMMA leadership race itself. First Published: August 07, 2025, 14:21 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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