Sandra Thomas, a well-known producer in the Malayalam film industry, has spent the last year embroiled in an escalating conflict with the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA). She began her career as a co‑founder of Friday Film House along with Vijay Babu, backing noted films like Philips and the Monkey Pen (2013), Peruchazhi (2014), Aadu (2015) and Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2015), among others. Following a split with Vijay in 2017, she launched the namesake banner Sandra Thomas Productions, under which she produced Nalla Nilavulla Rathri (2023) and Little Hearts (2024).
As one of the few women producers in the Malayalam film industry, Sandra has long stood out not just for her contributions to cinema but also for her outspokenness, calling out harassment and systemic barriers within the industry, especially in the wake of the Hema Committee's findings on the treatment of women in Malayalam cinema.
Sandra's ongoing tussle with the KFPA has now emerged as a flashpoint, raising serious questions around transparency, gender discrimination, and the democratic functioning of industry bodies. What began as a dispute over better institutional accountability inside KFPA has now escalated into a high-profile legal battle. This explainer tracks the key developments so far.
August 2024: Raising questions after the Hema Committee Report
On August 19, 2024, the long-awaited Hema Commission report was released by the Kerala government, detailing systemic abuse, harassment, and lobbying practices within the Malayalam film industry. Days later, on August 22, Sandra publicly questioned the silence of film organisations, including the KFPA, on the findings. Calling out a “15-member power group” mentioned in the report, she urged industry leaders to clarify their stance.
By September 11, Sandra had directly accused the KFPA leadership of neglecting the concerns of female filmmakers. She described a meeting on the report as “an eyewash” and demanded change at the helm.
November-December 2024: Expulsion and legal pushback
On November 5, the KFPA expelled Sandra, alleging defamation and rule violations. She had previously lodged a police complaint against top office-bearers, including producers Listin Stephen, Anto Joseph, and B Rakesh, for alleged misconduct. She slammed the association as “anti-women” and undemocratic.
However, the Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court, on December 17, issued a temporary stay on her expulsion, allowing her to retain her membership.
January-April 2025: Threat allegations and police action
In January, Sandra filed a criminal complaint alleging that producers B Unnikrishnan and Anto Joseph had threatened her following her support for the Hema Commission Report. Police booked the two under charges of criminal intimidation. Sandra alleged the threats were part of an effort to silence her for approaching the committee.
On April 29, the police filed a chargesheet in a related defamation case initiated by Sandra, naming four KFPA-linked producers. She called it a “big victory” and criticised the industry's internal complaint mechanisms, saying many were staffed by enablers, not allies.
May-June 2025: New allegations surface
In early May, Sandra launched a scathing attack on producer Listin Stephen, accusing him of facilitating a financial lobby from Tamil Nadu trying to take over the Malayalam film industry. She also alleged that the selective release of box office figures was being used to portray the industry as unviable and drive away independent investors.
By May 20, she made claims about the widespread use of drugs in the industry, alleging that certain production houses had even set aside budgets for narcotics. She criticised industry leaders for refusing to take corrective action.
The backlash intensified. On June 3, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Production Executive Union filed a Rs 50 lakh defamation case against her, claiming her earlier remarks about production controllers were defamatory. Days later, on June 7, Sandra revealed she had received death threats from a production controller named Renny Joseph. She said she had filed a complaint in March, but only bailable charges were included in the FIR.
July-August 2025: The ongoing election fight
On July 26, Sandra arrived at the KFPA office wearing a burqa to file her nominations for the posts of President and Treasurer. She described this as a symbolic protest against the continued presence of accused individuals in leadership roles within the association. Sandra alleged that she had earlier been subjected to inappropriate remarks about her clothing by office-bearers during a meeting.
However, on August 4, her nominations were rejected. The Returning Officer cited the absence of three censor certificates under her individual name, as required by election rules. According to KFPA rules, candidates must submit three censor certificates bearing their name as producers. Sandra submitted two certificates under her banner, Sandra Thomas Productions, and one from her former partnership firm, Friday Film House. The Returning Officer ruled these invalid, stating they do not establish individual eligibility as per the association’s guidelines.
Sandra strongly contested this claim, asserting that she had submitted valid documents and accusing the KFPA of selectively scrutinising her paperwork, while approving producer Visakh Subramaniam's nomination for the post of Joint Secretary despite submitting certificates under two different banners. On August 5, she moved the Ernakulam Sub Court, challenging the decision and questioning the impartiality of the Returning Officer, who has held the position for over two decades.
That same day, Sandra revealed in an explosive interview that veteran actor Mammootty had personally called her, urging her to withdraw the legal case. She claimed the call lasted 45 minutes and ended with her asking, “If your daughter faced such injustice, would you tell her to stay silent for the sake of her career?” According to her, Mammootty offered no direct response, only saying, “It’s up to Sandra now. I have nothing more to say.” She also stated that Mammootty withdrew from a film they had planned to do together.
Sandra criticised the veteran actor’s silence on internal irregularities in KFPA and pointed out that the current president, Anto Joseph, is reportedly close to him. “Shouldn’t he be able to take a stand then?” she asked. While Mammootty’s team has not issued any response, Sandra noted that those close to Mohanlal had reached out to express solidarity.
August 6: Sasi Ayyanchira speaks out
In a significant development, veteran producer and former KFPA general secretary Sasi Ayyanchira came out in support of Sandra. He called the rejection of her nomination unjust and politically motivated. He alleged that the association was being run like a private business venture by a handful of individuals who were diverting association resources for personal gain. He also accused the leadership of failing to uphold democratic values within the organisation.
What lies ahead
With the KFPA elections scheduled for August 14, Sandra’s legal challenge is ongoing. Her year-long resistance has sparked a broader conversation about the entrenched patriarchy, accountability, and gatekeeping in Malayalam cinema. Whether or not she succeeds in contesting the election, Sandra has already forced the Malayalam film industry to introspect on its silences.