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{{short description|Indian film acting organisation}}
{{Infobox union
| name = Association of Malayalam Movie Artists
| location_country = [[India]]
| members =
| native_name =
| image = Association of Malayalam Movie Artists Logo.png
| founded = 1994
| headquarters = [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]]
| website = {{URL|https://ammakerala.com/}}
| footnotes =
}}
The '''Association of Malayalam Movie Artists''', abbreviated as '''AMMA''', is an Indian organization of film actors and actresses working in the [[Malayalam cinema]], formed in 1994.

==Governing body ==

The governing body serves for three years. It includes a President, two Vice-presidents, General Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasurer and other Executive Committee members. Only members with life membership status can become a member of the governing body.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mohanlal elected as AMMA president for third time(2024-2027)|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2024/06/19/mohanlal-association-of-malayalam-movie-artists-general-body.html|access-date=2024-06-19|website=Manorama|date=19 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='അമ്മ' പ്രസിഡന്‍റായി വീണ്ടും മോഹന്‍ലാല്‍; ശ്വേതാ മേനോനും മണിയന്‍പിള്ള രാജുവും വൈസ് പ്രസിഡന്റുമാര്‍(2021-2024)|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/amma-general-body-meeting-at-kochi-1.6284445|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Mathrubhumi|date=19 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Here's the new executive body of AMMA(2018-2021)|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2018/06/25/amma-new-executive-body-list.html|access-date=2018-06-25|website=Manorama|date=25 June 2015 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Previous Executive Committees(1994-2018)|url=https://ammakerala.com/info/previous-executive-committees|access-date=2024-06-14|website=ammakerala|date=19 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=AMMA annual general body meet witnesses high drama; 10 out of 11 executive committee members elected (2024-2027)|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2024/06/30/amma-annual-general-body-meeting-elections-executive-committee-high-drama.html|access-date=2024-06-30|website=ManoramaOnline|date=30 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Amma Association Executive Committee 2024-27.jpg|thumb|AMMA Executive Committee Members (2024–2027), before the committee's dissolution following allegations of misconduct, August 2024.]][[File:AMMA Executive Committee 2025-2028.jpg|thumb|AMMA Executive Committee Members (2025-2028)]]

== List of AMMA leadership ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! width=5px |Year
! width=50px |President
! width=100px |Vice President
! General Secretary
! Secretary
! Joint Secretary
! Treasurer
! Executive Committee Members
|-
| 2025–2028
| [[Shwetha Menon]]
| [[Jayan Cherthala]] and [[Lakshmi Priya]]
| [[Cuckoo Parameswaran]]
| -
| [[Ansiba Hassan]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=AMMA Election: Ansiba Hassan has been elected unopposed as the Joint Secretary.|url=https://mnol.in/76maz5g|access-date=2025-07-31|website=Onmanorama}}</ref>
| [[Unni Sivapal]]
| [[Joy Mathew]], [[Tini Tom]], [[Vinu Mohan]], [[Sarayu Mohan]], [[Kailash (actor)|Kailash]], [[Rony David]], [[Santhosh Keezhattoor]], [[Neena Kurup]], [[Anjali Nair (actress, born 1988)|Anjali Nair]], [[Asha Aravind]] and [[Sijoy Varghese]]
|-
| 2024–2027 (Dissolved in 2024)
| [[Mohanlal]] <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mohanlal resigns as AMMA president; executive committee dissolved |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2024/08/27/amma-members-mohanlal-resign-sexual-assault-allegations-malayalam-cinema.html |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Onmanorama}}</ref>
| [[Jagadish]] and [[Jayan Cherthala]]
| [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]] (Resigned<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Siddique Resigns Amma General Secretary|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2024/08/25/actor-siddique-resigns-amma-general-secretary-sexual-abuse-allegations.html|website=Onmanorama.com|date=25 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref>)
| -
| [[Baburaj (actor)|Baburaj]]
| [[Unni Mukundan]] (Resigned<ref>{{Cite web |title='അങ്ങേയറ്റം ഹൃദയഭാരത്തോടെ രാജി സമർപ്പിക്കുന്നു'; എഎംഎംഎ ട്രഷറർ സ്ഥാനം ഒഴിഞ്ഞ് ഉണ്ണി മുകുന്ദൻ|url=https://www.reporterlive.com/amp/entertainment/entertainment-news/2025/01/14/unni-mukundan-resigns-from-amma-treasurer-position|website=reporterlive.com|date=14 January 2025|language=en}}</ref>)
| [[Kalabhavan Shajon]], [[Suraj Venjarammoodu]], [[Joy Mathew]], [[Suresh Krishna (actor)|Suresh Krishna]], [[Tini Tom]], [[Ananya (actress)|Ananya]], [[Vinu Mohan]], [[Tovino Thomas]], [[Sarayu Mohan]], [[Ansiba Hassan]] and [[Jomol]] (Dissolved<ref>{{Cite web |title='അമ്മ'യിൽ കൂട്ടരാജി; മോഹൻലാൽ ഉൾപ്പെടെ എല്ലാവരും രാജിവച്ചു, ഭരണസമിതി പിരിച്ചു വിട്ടു. |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/the-members-are-preparing-for-mass-resignation-and-all-office-bearers-including-mohanlal-will-resign-sivcv9 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=asianetnews.com}}</ref>)
|-
| 2021–2024
| [[Mohanlal]]
| [[Shwetha Menon]] and [[Maniyanpilla Raju]]
| [[Edavela Babu]]
| -
| [[Jayasurya]]
| [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]]
| [[Sudheer Karamana]], [[Surabhi Lakshmi]], [[Baburaj (actor)|Baburaj]], [[Tovino Thomas]], [[Manju Pillai]], [[Tini Tom]], [[Unni Mukundan]], [[Lena (actress)|Lena]], [[Rachana Narayanankutty]] and [[Lal (actor)|Lal]]
|-
| 2018–2021
| [[Mohanlal]]
| -
| [[Edavela Babu]]
| [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]]
| [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]] and [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]]
| [[Jagadish]]
| [[Indrans]], [[Baburaj (actor)|Baburaj]], [[Asif Ali (actor)|Asif Ali]], [[Honey Rose]], [[Aju Varghese]], [[Jayasurya]], [[Rachana Narayanankutty]], [[Shwetha Menon]], [[Muthumani]], [[Sudheer Karamana]], [[Tini Tom]] and Unni Shivapal
|-
| 2015–2018
| [[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]]
| [[Mohanlal]] and [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]]
| [[Mammootty]]
| [[Edavela Babu]]
| -
| [[Dileep]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amma accepted Dileeps resignation|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/amma-accepted-dileeps-resignation-mohanlal-announces-after-massive-pressure-90228|website=thenewsminute.com|date=19 October 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=I quit Amma on my own claims actor Dileep|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/quit-amma-on-my-own-claims-actor-dileep/article25299068.ece|website=thehindu.com|date=23 October 2018|language=en}}</ref>
| [[Asif Ali (actor)|Asif Ali]], [[Cuckoo Parameswaran]], [[Devan (actor)|Devan]], [[Kalabhavan Shajohn]], [[Maniyanpilla Raju]], [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]], [[Nedumudi Venu]], [[Nivin Pauly]], [[Remya Nambeesan]] and [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]]
|-
| 2012–2015
| [[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]]
| [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]] and [[Dileep]]
| [[Mohanlal]]
| [[Edavela Babu]]
| -
| [[Kunchacko Boban]]
| [[Nedumudi Venu]], [[Devan (actor)|Devan]], [[Lalu Alex]], [[Lal (actor)|Lal]], [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]], [[Suraj Venjaramoodu]], [[Jayasurya]], [[Indrajith Sukumaran]], [[Kavya Madhavan]], [[Lena (actress)|Lena]] and [[Cuckoo Parameswaran]]
|-
| 2009–2012
| [[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]]
| [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]] and [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]]
| [[Mohanlal]]
| [[Edavela Babu]]
| -
| [[Jagadish]]
| [[Mammootty]], [[Dileep]], [[Cuckoo Parameswaran]], [[Samvrutha Sunil]], [[Indrajith Sukumaran]], [[Jayasurya]], [[Kunchacko Boban]], [[Maniyanpilla Raju]], [[Nedumudi Venu]], [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]] and [[Vijayaraghavan]]
|-
| 2006–2009
| [[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]]
| [[Dileep]] and [[Nedumudi Venu]]
| [[Mohanlal]]
| -
| [[Edavela Babu]]
| [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]]
| [[Bindu Panicker]], [[Cuckoo Parameswaran]], [[Cochin Haneefa]], [[Harisree Ashokan]], [[Kunchacko Boban]], [[Maniyanpilla Raju]], [[Rajan P. Dev]], [[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)|Sai Kumar]], [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]], [[V. K. Sreeraman]] and [[Vijayaraghavan]]
|-
| 2003–2006
| [[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]]
| [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]] and [[Nedumudi Venu]]
| -
| [[Mohanlal]] (Hon.)
| [[Edavela Babu]] and [[T. P. Madhavan]]
| [[Jagadish]]
| [[Sukumari]], [[Baiju Santhosh]], [[Biju Menon]], [[Dileep]], [[Harisree Ashokan]], [[Kalabhavan Mani]], [[Mamukkoya]], [[Maniyanpilla Raju]], [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]] and [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]]
|-
| 2000–2003
| [[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]]
| [[Mohanlal]] and [[Suresh Gopi]]
| -
| [[Mammootty]] (Hon.)
| [[T. P. Madhavan]] and [[Suchitra Murali]] / [[Edavela Babu]] (acting)
| [[Jagadish]]
| [[Jayaram]], [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]], [[Sreenivasan]], [[Nedumudi Venu]], [[Captain Raju]], [[Maniyanpilla Raju]], [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]], [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]], [[Edavela Babu]] and [[Ashokan (actor)|Ashokan]]
|-
| 1997–2000
| [[Madhu (actor)|Madhu]]
| [[Suresh Gopi]] and [[Rajan P. Dev]]
| -
| [[Balachandra Menon]] and [[Raghavan (actor)|Raghavan]]
| [[Jagathy Sreekumar]] and [[Suchitra Murali]]
| [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]]
| [[Janardhanan (actor)|Janardhanan]], [[Devan (actor)|Devan]], [[Kalpana (Malayalam actress)|Kalpana]], [[K. P. A. C. Lalitha]], [[Mamukkoya]], [[Manoj K. Jayan]], [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]], [[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]], [[Maniyanpilla Raju]] and [[Vijayaraghavan]]
|-
| 1994–1997
| [[M. G. Soman]]
| [[Mammootty]] and [[Mohanlal]]
| -
| [[T. P. Madhavan]]
| [[Venu Nagavally]]
| [[Jagadish]]
| [[Sukumari]], [[Balachandra Menon]], [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]], [[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]], [[Madhu (actor)|Madhu]], [[Maniyanpilla Raju]], [[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]], [[Nedumudi Venu]], [[Sreenivasan]], [[Suresh Gopi]] and [[Cochin Haneefa]]
|}

== Public contributions ==
* The association contributed {{currency|50|INR}} [[lakh]] to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund, to extend its support during the [[2018 Kerala floods]].<ref name="filmibeat.com">{{Cite web |title=Amma Makes Generous Contribution of 50 Lakhs |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2018/amma-makes-generous-contribution-50-lakhs-cmdrf-276470.html |website=www.filmibeat.com}}</ref>
* The AMMA along with [[Asianet Communications|Asianet]] conducted a stage show in [[Abu Dhabi]] in December 2018 to raise {{currency|5|INR}} [[crore]] for the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.

== Hema committee report ==
{{Main|Hema Committee report}}
In August 2024, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) found itself at the center of a storm when the long-awaited Justice [[Hema Committee report]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://images.assettype.com/thecue/2024-08-20/x9lh47hr/REPORT_1___1_.pdf |title=Hema Committee Report |publisher=thecue.in |accessdate=2024-08-24}}</ref> was finally released to the public, following a Kerala High Court order. This report, which had been kept under wraps since its completion in 2019, shed light on the severe challenges and discrimination faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee, formed in 2017 in the aftermath of the shocking abduction and sexual assault of a prominent actress, was tasked with investigating the working conditions of women in the industry.

The report's findings were deeply troubling, revealing a male-dominated industry where misogyny is not only pervasive but institutionalized. The committee's investigation uncovered the existence of a powerful "mafia" within the industry, comprising a small group of influential male actors, directors, and producers who effectively control the industry's operations. This group was found to have significant control over AMMA, the leading industry organization, dictating its decisions and suppressing any attempts to challenge their authority.

Women in the industry, especially actresses, were found to be particularly vulnerable. The report documented numerous instances of sexual harassment, coercion, and exploitation. For example, actresses testified about being forced to repeatedly perform intimate scenes under duress and facing threats when they resisted. The casting couch was reported to be rampant, with new and aspiring actresses often pressured into compromising situations in exchange for roles. The report also highlighted that women producers and those in smaller roles were frequently at the mercy of the male-dominated power structure, facing discrimination and even being denied basic amenities like quality food on set unless they complied with demands.

The Justice Hema Committee also pointed out the ineffectiveness of the Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) on film sets, which are supposed to address issues of sexual harassment. These committees were found to be largely symbolic, with little real power or will to protect the interests of women. As a result, many women were left without recourse, forced to endure mistreatment or risk being blacklisted from the industry (Telangana Today).

Despite the damning nature of the report, its release was delayed by the Kerala government for several years, leading to widespread criticism. When it was finally made public, key details, including the names of those accused, were redacted, which many saw as an attempt to protect influential figures in the industry. This has led to calls for greater transparency and accountability, with some demanding a judicial inquiry into the allegations and the implementation of the report's recommendations.

The recommendations of the Justice Hema Committee include the establishment of a tribunal with judicial powers to address issues of sexual harassment and contract breaches, mandatory written contracts for all workers in the industry, and gender sensitivity training for those in leadership roles. The committee also emphasized the need for greater representation of women in decision-making roles within AMMA and the industry at large.

As the industry grapples with the fallout from the report, there is growing pressure on AMMA and the Kerala government to take concrete steps to address these issues. The revelations have sparked widespread outrage, not just within the film community but also among the general public, leading to renewed debates about the need for systemic reforms in the Malayalam film industry.

Following the publication of the report, an audio clip of a junior actress naming the late veteran comedian [[Mamukkoya]], the once popular actors [[Sudheesh]], [[Idavela Babu]] and [[Saju Kodiyan]] as actors who solicited sex from her while she was a struggling director, surfaced in the media.

The first response from AMMA came as a press meet on 25th August, with General Secretary [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]], and executive members [[Jayan Cherthala]], [[Jomol]], and [[Ananya (actress)|Ananya]] downplaying the allegations as isolated incidents.

Shortly after that an actress who had earlier in 2019, accused [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]] of raping her, quickly slammed his pretentious statement to the press. The actress claimed that Siddique had called her to discuss a film but then raped her from the hotel room. As she narrated in gruesome detail how the popular actor had described his fetish over long fingers like hers, fantasized verbally about "licking her if not allowed to penetrate", even suggestively eating food in front of her, shocking the Malayali audience, [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]] was forced to resign from his position of General Secretary of AMMA overnight.<ref name=":1" />

Following the flurry of revelations and accusations that seemed to spare no one, acclaimed actor [[Mohanlal]] resigned as the president of AMMA, along with all the members of the executive committee, submitting a joint resignation on 27th August. The committee appears to have been dissolved, though a couple of women members later stated that they have not submitted their resignation. A new committee is expected to be formed after an election within two months, until which time the current committee shall serve as caretakers.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/why-mohanlal-and-amma-committee-members-resigned-1.9849084|title=AMMA members quit on 'moral grounds'; Mohanlal & co hope new leadership will renew film body|publisher=Mathrubhumi}}</ref>
[[ml:സൂര്യ_ടി.വി._ഇപ്പോൾ_സംപ്രേഷണം_ചെയ്തുവരുന്ന_പരിപാടികൾ#മുൻ_റിയാലിറ്റി_ഷോകൾ]]
== Controversies ==
* In February 2010, [[Thilakan]] announced that members within AMMA had conspired and denied him work. The executive members of AMMA convened multiple meetings to hear his complaints. Since [[Thilakan]] did not attend those meetings and continued to publicly defame the association, he was expelled.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rajendran|first1=Sowmya|title=The cardboard heroes of AMMA must apologise for not standing by the survivor|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/cardboard-heroes-amma-must-apologise-not-standing-survivor-65004|accessdate=29 December 2017|work=The News Minute|agency=The News Minute|date=11 July 2017}}</ref> After [[Thilakan]] died, his son [[Shammi Thilakan]], a member of AMMA, requested the AMMA leadership to reconsider and reinstate his father's membership posthumously.
* In March 2017, based on the petition by director [[Vinayan]] in 2012, [[Competition Commission of India]] (CCI), imposed a total fine of {{currency|11.25|INR}} Lakhs on the AMMA and Film Employees Federation Of Kerala (FEFKA) for denying opportunities for Vinayan, preventing artists from co-operating with Vinayan, and rejecting his films from theaters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/film-bodies-slapped-rs-11-25-lakh-fine-for-ban-on-director-vinayan/articleshow/57819008.cms|title=Film bodies slapped Rs 11.25-lakh fine for ban on director Vinayan|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2017/03/24/cci-slaps-penalty-kerala-film-industry-collectives-amma-fefka.html|title=CCI slaps penalty on Kerala film industry collectives|work=OnManorama|access-date=2017-03-24}}</ref>
* In July 2017, actor [[Dileep]] was removed from AMMA's primary membership after he was charged and arrested for criminal conspiracy in a criminal assault case. He was expelled from actors' guild and lost his primary membership in AMMA.
* In August 2024, actor Siddique resigned as General Secretary of AMMA following allegations of sexual harassment made by an actress. He stepped down after the accusations surfaced, citing his inability to continue in the role amidst the controversy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Praveen |first=S. R. |date=2024-08-25 |title=Actor Siddique resigns as AMMA general secretary following sexual assault allegations |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/actor-siddique-resigns-as-amma-general-secretary-following-sexual-assault-allegations/article68564733.ece |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
* On 27 August 2024, following the release of the [[Hema Committee report]], which detailed allegations from female artists and workers from the [[Malayalam Cinema]], the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) dissolved its entire executive committee for the period 2024–2027.<ref name=":0" />

When Dileep was released on bail, his membership was reinstated by AMMA, claiming his removal was not legally valid as per the laws of the committee. The claim was primarily made by [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]].

Protesting the lukewarm approach in expelling Dileep, few actresses protested and resigned from AMMA membership. They formed a group named [[Women in Cinema Collective]] (WCC). WCC protested through a series of social media interventions that AMMA should take a favorable stand towards the welfare of the female actors in Malayalam cinema. In light of these events, AMMA General body meeting conducted in 2021 revised its bylaws; including more women in the executive body; and established an internal complaints committee for the welfare of women.

== References ==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==External links==
* [https://ammakerala.com/ Official Website]
* [https://malayalamcinema.com/ malayalamcinema.com]

{{Mohanlal}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Association Of Malayalam Movie Artists}}
[[Category:Actors' trade unions]]
[[Category:Film organisations in India]]
[[Category:Entertainment industry unions]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Kochi]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Kerala]]

Association of Malayalam Movie Artists - Revision history

Meherhospital at 06:33, 8 February 2026