For the first time since its formation in 1994, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) will be led by women. Actor Shwetha Menon has been elected president and Kukku Parameswaran general secretary, marking a significant shift in the body’s leadership.

In Friday’s keenly contested polls, Shwetha secured 159 votes against Devan’s 132, with six votes declared invalid. Kukku Parameswaran won the general secretary post with 172 votes, defeating Raveendran, who polled 115.

Actor Unni Sivapal was elected treasurer with 167 votes, overcoming Anoop Chandran’s 108. Jayan Cherthala and Lakshmipriya won the vice president posts with 267 and 139 votes respectively, ahead of Nasar Lathif’s 96. Ansiba Hasan was elected unopposed as joint secretary after 12 other candidates for the post withdrew.

The executive committee results saw Sarayu Mohan (224), Asha Aravind (221), Anjali Nair (219) and Neena Kurup (218) take the four seats reserved for women. In the general category, Kailash (257), Joy Mathew (225), Tiny Tom (234), Santhosh Keezhattoor (243), Vinu Mohan (220), Rony David Raj (213) and Sijoy Varghese (189) were elected.

Of AMMA’s 500-plus members, only 298 turned up to vote at the polling station in Kochi, with several high-profile stars, including Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Dulquer Salmaan, Nivin Pauly, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Urvashi, Kunchacko Boban, Jayaram and Indrajith Sukumaran, notably absent, a drop from 357 in the previous election, bringing voter participation down from 70 to 58 per cent.

The election follows the resignation of the Mohanlal-led executive committee in August 2024 after the Justice Hema Committee report on gender discrimination in the Malayalam film industry triggered fresh demands for reform. The report and the allegations of sexual harassment against some office-bearers had intensified calls for greater female representation in AMMA’s leadership.