AMMA’s meltdown

The deepening internal rift within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) is both disheartening and alarming. Much like a poorly received film unceremoniously pulled from theatres immediately after its release, the newly elected governing body has resigned en masse within a year of taking charge. While these internal squabbles do not directly disrupt the daily lives of the general public, the fracturing of AMMA is a sobering spectacle. AMMA is not merely an elite social club; it functions as a vital welfare organisation that provides a financial safety net to numerous economically vulnerable and ageing actors. Seeing it splinter under the weight of internal friction is deeply unfortunate.

What makes this crisis particularly frustrating is that it does not stem from fundamental ideological disagreements or systemic policy shifts. Instead, it is the result of petty friction, miscommunication, and clashing egos. No organisation is entirely immune to internal dissent. However, the true strength and maturity of a democratic institution lie in its capacity to resolve disputes through constructive dialogue and statesmanlike leadership. The latest chaotic developments demonstrate that AMMA has squandered both of these defining qualities.

Historically, AMMA was helmed by top-tier superstars with demanding filming schedules. Even during those eras, controversies frequently erupted, but they were almost always smoothed over through the sheer influence, mediation, and resources of its heavyweight leaders. The structural landscape shifted dramatically following the fallout from the actress assault case, which prompted a faction of women filmmakers to break away and form the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), citing deep-seated patriarchy within the parent body.

More recently, in the wake of the explosive revelations in the Hema Committee report, the Mohanlal-led executive committee stepped down, paving the way for a new leadership structure where women held key positions. There was widespread public optimism surrounding this transition. Since these newly elected leaders had fewer filming commitments compared to industry A-listers, it was widely expected that they would dedicate more time to day-to-day administration, thereby setting a progressive, transparent precedent for the organisation. Instead, those expectations have been thoroughly shattered by their sudden, collective exit.

While leadership in any sector requires navigating turbulent waters, walking out at the first sign of trouble feels less like a principled stand and more like an impulsive, emotional retreat. The ground had already been shifting beneath the committee's feet well before the fateful General Body meeting. Internal factions had already begun gathering signatures for a no-confidence motion before the session even commenced.

The flashpoint occurred after General Secretary Cuckoo Parameswaran presented the annual report and financial accounts—a task she undertook because the Treasurer had been sidelined until that very meeting. Industry veterans quickly flagged a glaring lack of transparency. When Treasurer Unni Shivapal admitted he was kept completely in the dark regarding the finances, and the official auditor highlighted substantial discrepancies, the report was flatly rejected by the general body.

Though the President requested a grace period to rectify these accounting errors, the opposition refused to yield. The dispute quickly degenerated into aggressive personal mudslinging, with serious allegations hurled against the leadership regarding the mishandling of lakhs of rupees. Defending her position, the outgoing President alleged that individuals with ulterior motives were staging a hostile takeover, counter-claiming that the financial irregularities actually dated back to previous tenures when her primary detractors held office.

In the immediate aftermath of this collapse, a nine-member ad-hoc committee has been formed, with Ramesh Pisharody acting as convener to steer the ship through these rocky waters. Moving forward, every member of AMMA bears a collective responsibility to prevent the further degradation of the association's reputation. Engaging in public mudslinging and airing dirty laundry on social media will only accelerate the organisation's downfall. Grievances and defeats suffered within the confines of the boardroom should not be avenged on the public street. If the leadership and members continue to treat internal governance as a theatre of the absurd, it will ultimately ensure the ruin of an institution that hundreds of vulnerable artists rely on for survival.