Published May 27, 2026 | 10:28 AM ⚊ Updated May 27, 2026 | 10:28 AM
AMMA members
Synopsis: AMMA faces a deepening crisis after joint secretary Ansiba Hassan’s resignation and allegations of communal bias, harassment, and sponsorship irregularities. President Swetha Menon denies the charges, citing resistance to women leaders. Internal disputes, financial transparency concerns, and calls for fresh elections have intensified, with senior members urging intervention by Mohanlal and Mammootty to restore stability.
The Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA) is once again at the centre of internal disputes, with allegations, counter-allegations, and leadership issues surfacing from within its newly elected executive committee. The controversy has intensified following the resignation of actor Ansiba Hassan, who has levelled serious allegations against colleagues and the association.
Ansiba Hassan, who had been serving as the joint secretary of AMMA, initially submitted her resignation on 21 February. However, she later deferred it until June following a request from some executive committee members.
She has now stated that recent developments within the organisation forced her to step down earlier than planned, alleging that she was increasingly isolated within the executive committee.
She has also claimed that she was communally targeted by a member after she opposed the involvement of religious organisations in AMMA’s sponsorship activities.
According to her, she strongly objected to a temple trust being included as a title sponsor for a February fundraising event, a move she says was supported by AMMA president Swetha Menon.
Following this disagreement, she alleges she faced internal criticism and exclusion from AMMA.
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Tini Tom and Ansiba
The dispute worsened and spread after serious allegations were made by Ansiba Hassan against actor Tini Tom, whom she accused of making remarks such as ”jihadi” and alleging religious conversion attempts within the organisation.
However, Tini Tom has denied these claims calling them baseless.
Speaking to South First, Ansiba said, ”I will go for legal action against Tini Tom. Also, I have faced severe insult when I went to file a complaint in the Thrippunithura women’s cell. The women cell SI’s behaviour made me uncomfortable. A complaint against the SI will be filed to the Home Minister for not handling my grievance in a respectful way.”
A sponsorship controversy has also emerged within AMMA, involving a reported ₹75 lakh agreement between AMMA and the Vennala Thykattu Sri Mahadeva Temple Trust for the ”AMMA Kudumba Sangamam” event of which ₹30 lakh was received.
Many, including Ansiba Hassan have raised concerns over this arrangement. The trust has maintained that the sponsorship was offered at AMMA’s request and has expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged lack of advertisement visibility.
Vice President Lakshmipriya has also flagged internal governance concerns, including allegations of surveillance practices such as CCTV cameras with audio reportedly installed near washroom areas.
Actor Shwetha Menon. (shwetha-menon.com)
Actor Swetha Menon, the first-ever woman president of AMMA stated that, AMMA cannot selectively reject sponsors based on religious or political backgrounds as it functions primarily as a charitable body focused on the welfare of actors.
Swetha Menon has also suggested that the timing of Ansiba Hassan’s allegations indicates a possible planned attempt to defame the organisation. She noted that although the complaint surfaced publicly, it had not been formally communicated to the leadership at the appropriate time.
She also pointed out that Ansiba had earlier resigned on 12 May, citing personal reasons, without mentioning any grievances.
”We attempted to contact Ansiba Hassan after receiving the complaint but were unable to reach her. A full internal review will be conducted in accordance with AMMA’s rules. I am willing to step down if senior members of the association request it but a faction within the executive committee is targeting my leadership” Swetha said.
Swetha said she feels isolated and cornered, adding that there appears to be resistance to women in leadership roles within the organisation.
Swetha further rejected the allegations raised by Ansiba as personal matters outside the direct remit of the association, stating that she will stand by her position in the upcoming general body meeting.
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Actor Lakshmipriya, Vice President of AMMA has dismissed the allegations raised by Ansiba Hassan as baseless while acknowledging that internal divisions exist within the organisation. She also highlighted that she had earlier filed a police complaint against Ansiba Hassan following communication-related issues that reportedly escalated within her family.
Lakshmipriya stated that these issues led to formal police involvement, after which Ansiba was questioned in connection with the matter.
However, Ansiba has countered this by alleging harassment and claiming that she was questioned for extended hours based on false accusations.
Lakshmipriya has also drawn attention to broader concerns within AMMA, pointing to administrative irregularities and communication gaps. She indicated that there are deeper structural issues within the organisation that require attention beyond individual disputes.
Other members, including actor Neena Kurup, have also raised concerns and submitted complaints for internal review. These complaints are currently under examination within the organisation.
Several senior members of AMMA have expressed concern over the ongoing dispute and poor organisational coordination. Speaking to South First, actor Maala Parvathy stated that the revenue and expenditure details of AMMA should be made public to avoid confusions.
She noted that there had been a prior demand for financial transparency and that treasurer Unni Shivpal had been assigned to compile the financial report, but the details have not yet been released.
She further described the situation as one requiring urgent intervention by senior members to restore stability within the organisation and pointed to the increasing confusion and lack of coordination within the executive structure.
Former General secretary, actor Edavela Babu has also stated that he is not being updated on current developments within the organisation, pointing to a communication breakdown at multiple levels.
Meanwhile, actor Jayan Cherthala, vice president has called for calm and stated that efforts are underway to resolve the matter internally. However, allegations of ”ganging up” within the executive committee have sparked serious debate among members.
Actor Mallika Sukumaran has called for fresh elections and demanded the dissolution of the current executive committee. She also demanded the intervention of the Big M’s — Mohanlal and Mammootty.
With multiple complaints, sponsorship disputes, and allegations of harassment, AMMA is currently facing one of its most serious internal crises in recent times, with members awaiting clarity.
