Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi

Kochi, Aug 15: In a historic first for the Malayalam film industry, popular actresses Shwetha Menon and Kukku Parameswaran have been elected as president and general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), breaking the organisation’s three-decade male-dominated leadership pattern.

This marks the first time women will hold the top two posts in AMMA’s history. Until now, female members had only served in secondary positions like vice-president or committee member.

Menon narrowly defeated actor-turned-BJP leader Devan with 159 votes against his 132, while Parameswaran secured a comfortable win over Raveendran with 172 votes to 115.

The new team includes Jayan Cherthalla and Laxmi Priya as vice-presidents, Unni Shivapal as treasurer, and Anzeeba Hassan as joint secretary (unopposed). Committee members elected are Sharayu, Anjali Nair, Asha Aravind, Sajitha, Neena Kurup, Joy Mathew, Kailas, Nandu, Dr Ronnie, Sijoy, Vinu, Tiny Tom, and Santhosh.

In a rare display of unity, Devan, despite his defeat, administered the oath to Menon and her team, remarking, “AMMA’s mother is Shwetha, and I am the father. We should all stand behind the new team.”

Thanking members for their trust, Menon said, “With the elections over, all AMMA members will now work together. If needed, I will personally meet those who have stayed away. Our first meeting will be held soon to address pending issues.”

Out of AMMA’s 500-plus members, 298 voted in the election, which saw some pre-poll drama. Veteran actor Jagadish withdrew from the presidential race after Menon’s interest was confirmed, paving the way for her candidacy before Devan later entered the fray.

State Minister for Films, Saji Cherian, hailed the election of Menon and Parameswaran as a “symbolic and practical shift towards gender inclusivity in Malayalam cinema’s most influential artists’ body.”