Dramatic events unfold during AMMA meeting, members raise protest in the name of Mohanlal; Suresh Gopi responds

With actor Mohanlal remaining firm on his stance that he does not want to return as the president of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists), the organisation is now moving toward conducting elections for its executive committee. The election is expected to take place after three months. Since there is currently no formal governing body, no significant issues related to the Malayalam film industry were discussed in the latest general body meeting.

Earlier, there were widespread speculations that Mohanlal might return as AMMA president. Discussions were also active about reinstating Mohanlal as the president of the organisation without an election. It was even proposed that the existing ad-hoc committee, formed after the previous committee resigned, should continue in office.

However, Mohanlal firmly declined to continue as president. During the general body meeting, around 20 members strongly advocated for his continuation, but he reiterated his decision not to remain as president. His stance reportedly led to widespread disappointment, with several members expressing their emotions during the meeting. Mohanlal is said to have suggested that new leadership should be elected through a proper democratic process. As a result, it was decided that the ad-hoc committee would continue for another three months, after which elections would be conducted.

Mohanlal reportedly emphasised that since the previous committee resigned over the organisation's moral responsibility in handling sexual harassment allegations against some members, it is only appropriate that AMMA holds elections to form a new leadership. However, actor Suresh Gopi said someone with the stature of Mohanlal should continue to lead the organisation.

Actor Jagadish said that Mohanlal felt deeply hurt by attempts to isolate him when the organisation went through a crisis. Later, when actor Baiju called for a show of hands in support of Mohanlal continuing as president, a majority raised their hands. But Mohanlal responded by saying, "There's still time. The decision about contesting can be made later."

The ad-hoc committee will soon meet to finalise the election date and procedures. The election will be conducted through a formal voting process. Vice President Jayan Cherthala said that the election is necessary since the ad-hoc committee has now exceeded its originally intended term. The current ad-hoc committee took charge after Secretary Siddique resigned on August 27 last year due to a sexual harassment case.

The 31st annual general body meeting of AMMA was held yesterday at the Gokulam Convention Centre in Kochi. Actor Jagathy Sreekumar attended the meeting for the first time in 13 years. However, several key members, including Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Prithviraj, Unni Mukundan, Nivin Pauly, and Mukesh, were absent.