Why didn't Mammootty come to attend general body of AMMA despite election?

KOCHI: The annual general body meeting of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) of Malayalam cinema, was held at the Gokulam Convention Center in Kochi on Sunday. The general elections were held for three years. Mohanlal and Unni Mukundan were elected unopposed as the president and treasurer earlier. Elections were held for the posts of general secretary, vice presidents and executive members. Some differences of opinion surfaced during the executive committee elections.

The bylaws demand that there should be four women in the governing body. A total of five women competed this time and out of that, two lost. With that, majority who participated in the general body had the hope that the three candidates who contested for the executive committee would be elected. But the electoral officer advocate K Manoj Chandran announced the names of eight who got more votes, including Ananya and seven actors. He later informed that women would be co-opted for the remaining three posts. With this, Baburaj, Anoop Chandran, Joy Mathew, Kalabhavan Shajon, Jayan Cherthala and others raised objections. Usha, Priyanka, Sarayu, Kuku Parameswaran and others came forward protesting and created a ruckus.

All suggested that Sarayu and Ansiba, who contested for the executive committee, should be elected and the remaining one could be co-opted. But the officer stuck to the bylaw, pointing out that both of them were behind in terms of votes. With this, new general secretary Siddique and vice president Jagadhish came for a compromise. They said the general body should decide to nominate both of them to the executive committee and the remaining one can be nominated.

With that, the meeting passed by clapping the names of Sarayu and Ansiba. Usha proposed the name of Kukku Parameswaran, who contested for the post of general secretary and was defeated, for the remaining post. With that, Siddique said that can nominate as many people and the governing body will select one of them. The name of Manju Pillai, who lost the vice-presidential election, also came up. Kuku Parameswaran suggested Sheelu Abraham's name. Finally, after the decision was made that the governing body will find a person to be co-opted from among the proposed names, the electoral officer announced ten names, including three women. With the arrival of three women, Ramesh Pisharody and Dr Rony who competed were dropped.

An emotional reception for Suresh Gopi
Union Minister Suresh Gopi was given an emotional reception by his colleagues as he broke his vow of not participating in the general body after 25 years. Mohanlal presented him a memento. Idavela Babu handed over the membership card. Suresh Gopi is the first member of the organization.

He said, ‘I was blossoming through each character. Cinema played a big role in shaping me as an individual. Its depth is immeasurable. Those who fought from the opposite side for my characters, who gave me strength, Somettan, Rajan P Dev, N F Varghese, Narendra Prasad... I am indebted to many. Similarly, I fondly remember the role of Kakki which gave me strength as a person. All those who gave me tea on the sets and washed and cleaned the dishes that I had eaten from played a big role in shaping my personality’.

Mammootty, Ganesh Kumar were absent
The absence of Mammootty was noticed in the general body. Many pointed this on the social media. The mega star is vacationing in London with his family. Mammootty had informed this to the organization. Dulquer is also in London with Mammootty.

A reception was also arranged for Minister K B Ganesh Kumar. He also failed to turn up. Idavela Babu, who is stepping down after leading Amma for 25 years, was also honored at the function. Suresh Gopi presented a gift to Babu.