The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has released its voter list ahead of the upcoming elections scheduled for August 15. Notably, veteran Tamil actor Kamal Haasan appears on the list following his recent induction as a distinguished member of the organisation, as per a new report by Asianet News.
Kamal Haasan has acted in several Malayalam films during the earlier stages of his career and maintains deep-rooted ties with many legendary figures in the history of Malayalam cinema. His inclusion in the voter list reflects AMMA’s recognition of his longstanding association with the industry. Alongside Kamal Haasan, Bollywood actor Tabu and Tamil actors Parthiban and Napoleon are also included as eligible voters. Singer Vasundhara Das, who has acted in a single Malayalam film, features on the list as well, illustrating AMMA’s expanding membership beyond the Malayalam film fraternity. Yesteryear actor Shalini, who stepped away from active acting following her marriage to Tamil actor Ajith Kumar, retains her voting rights.
The voter list comprises 507 names in total, representing a diverse mix of actors, former stars, and public figures linked to Malayalam cinema. This year’s elections come at a crucial juncture for AMMA, following a period of significant upheaval and demands for reform. The Mohanlal-led executive committee resigned following the publication of the Justice Hema Committee report in August 2024. The report exposed systemic gender discrimination and inadequate grievance redressal within the Malayalam film industry. After the report’s release, many women came forward with complaints, including allegations of sexual harassment against executive members Siddique and Baburaj. These developments led to the resignation of the committee amid growing demands for transparency and reform within AMMA.
In the upcoming election, actor Shwetha Menon is contesting the presidency opposite Devan in a historic bid to become the first woman to lead AMMA since its formation in 1994. Voting is scheduled for August 15, with the final candidate list expected shortly. The results are likely to influence AMMA’s policies and its approach to issues such as gender justice, governance and inclusivity.