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NDTV
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Amid Obscene Films Row, Shwetha Menon Becomes First Female President Of Malayalam Film Body AMMA
New Delhi: After months of speculation and controversy, actor Shwetha Menon has been elected as the first-ever female president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). What's Happening Speaking to ANI following her historic win, Shwetha Menon said she intends to bring change to the organisation. "I haven't planned anything..I do have an is a very big don't expect miracles, but we will be doing something for a change," she said. Background The election result came nearly a year after former AMMA president, actor Mohanlal, resigned from his post in August 2024. His resignation, along with that of the entire 17-member executive committee, followed growing allegations of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, as highlighted in the Justice K Hema Committee report. The report, commissioned by the Kerala government, examined the working conditions of women in Mollywood. The Justice Hema Committee's findings exposed deep-rooted issues within the industry, stating that a small group of 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors held dominant control. A redacted version of the 235-page report was later made public. The state government also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the concerns raised by several female actors. In January 2025, actor Unni Mukundan stepped down as AMMA's treasurer, citing increasing work pressure and its impact on his mental health. Shweta Menon's Controversy Last week, the Kerala High Court stayed proceedings in connection with an FIR lodged against Shwetha Menon under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act and provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. The complaint accused her of publishing or transmitting obscene scenes from some of her past films and advertisements. The interim stay was issued by Justice V G Arun in response to a plea filed by Menon seeking to quash the FIR. The court observed that there appeared to be merit in the contention of her counsel and noted that the procedures required before forwarding the complaint for investigation had not been followed. "Considering the short duration within which the complaint was filed and forwarded to the police, it appears that no such procedure was followed. Registry shall call for a report from the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam regarding the procedure followed before forwarding the complaint to the police for investigation," the court said. The High Court also issued notices to the state and the complainant, Martin Menachery, who had alleged that Menon acted in films and a condom advertisement containing obscene visuals for monetary gain. In her plea, Shwetha Menon stated that the allegations are "mala fide" and that the offences invoked in the FIR are not applicable. She added that the films mentioned in the complaint - including Paleri Manikyam, Rathinirvedham, and Kalimannu - had all been duly censored and certified. She also pointed out that her performance in Paleri Manikyam won her a Kerala State Award for Best Actress. Regarding the condom advertisement, Menon said it too had been cleared by the censor board years ago. "The allegation of the petitioner (Menon) being privy to running porn sites is absurd and per se defamatory. It is submitted that such allegations are raised in a callous and irresponsible manner without any supporting material," the plea stated. The actor also claimed that the timing of the complaint was linked to her decision to contest the AMMA elections. Menon is known for her performances in films like Salt N Pepper, Rathinirvedham and Kalimannu.
New Indian Express
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kerala HC stays FIR proceedings against actor Swetha Menon; questions procedure in obscenity case
KOCHI: Expressing doubts about the procedural correctness of the lower court, the Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed further proceedings in the FIR registered against actor Swetha Menon for allegedly making financial gains through her roles in movies featuring vulgar and obscene content. 'I find prima facie substance in the contention of the counsel for the petitioner that before forwarding the complaint for investigation under Section 175(3) of BNSS, the requirements therein, of calling for a report from the police and making enquiry, ought to have been complied with. Considering the short duration between filing and forwarding of the complaint to the police, it appears that no such procedure was followed,' said Justice V G Arun. He also directed the Registry to call for a report from the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam, regarding the procedure adopted before forwarding the complaint to the police for investigation. The court issued the order on a petition filed by Swetha Menon seeking to quash the FIR based on a complaint filed by Martin Menacherry, of Ernakulam. Swetha Menon is a candidate in the upcoming election for president of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) to be held on August 15. The FIR charges 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. Advocates Unni Sebastian Kappen and M Revikrishnan, representing Swetha Menon before the High Court, submitted that the case is an abuse of the process of the court, as the allegations are ex facie absurd and improbable. The prosecution alleged that the accused, to secure monetary gain, appeared in several films and advertisements that contain obscene visuals. The complainant, Martin Menacherry, claimed that the visuals of the accused in these films and advertisements, which are available in public domain, are obscene and vulgar. By appearing in such advertisements and acting in films, the accused allegedly gained financial benefits. The complainant also alleged that the actor appeared in a vulgar manner by acting in a condom advertisement years ago and by acting in films like Paleri Manikyam, Rathinirvedham, Kalimannu, and more. The complainant further alleged that by searching the Internet, one could find photos of the accused, which, according to him, are obscene. The petition by Swetha described the complaint as unfounded, baseless, and absurd, pointing out that the allegation that the accused is securing financial gain by running pornographic websites is made without an iota of material to prima facie justify such a claim. The films in which the petitioner appeared are all duly censored and certified, and have been available in public domain for several years. It is crucial to note that the character portrayed by the petitioner in the movie Paleri Manikyam, which the complainant claims is obscene, earned her a Kerala State Award for Best Actress, stated the petition.
