"It chose gossip over growth": Sukumaran Mallika resigns from AMMA, citing alleges work issues

The actress shared a farewell post on her Facebook handle, writing, "Stepping down with love from AMMA. Standing with the truth, standing with Shwetha Menon."

In a seperate post, which appears to be deleted now, the actress voiced her concerns about the current working of the association alleging that AMMA is presently focused on "misconduct, interpersonal issues, and personal reputations" rather than discussing how "AMMA can partner with govt to set up skill centers or a VFX park" and other industry issues after it's inclusion in newly proposed state budget.

She wrote, "AMMA had a golden chance. It chose gossip over growth. Kerala Govt just did what Malayalam cinema waited 75 years for: Gave cinema "Industry Status" in Budget 2026-27. Land at concessional rates, industrial power tariff, KSIDC loans, higher subsidy + extra for women-led films, VFX parks. This is not a sops list. It's a blueprint to make Kerala a full-stack film hub. 50,000 jobs + Rs 5,000 Cr investment is what's on the table."

She added, "Yesterday AMMA, the biggest association of Malayalam artists, met. The agenda should've been: "How do we use this budget to build studios, train women technicians, stop runaway shooting?" Instead, the meeting turned into public fights over misconduct, interpersonal issues, and personal reputations... Not one roadmap. Not one proposal on how AMMA can partner with govt to set up skill centers or a VFX park.The problem is not the fight. The problem is priorities."

The former AMMA member alleged that the association is more focused on "individual misconduct cases rather than institutionalising ICC committees, audit processes, and women-led production incentives".

Sukumaran added, "Budget = Structure. AMMA = Culture. The Govt just gave the structure - land, power, and money. But industry runs on culture: safety for women, professional HR, transparent contracts. If AMMA keeps fighting over individual misconduct cases in public instead of institutionalising ICC committees, audit processes, and women-led production incentives, no producer will risk Rs 20 Cr here even with cheap power."

She also criticised the alleged silence of superstars like Mohanlal and Mammootty for not speaking aboutr the women editors or VFX artists.

"Silence from big stars = wasted leverage. Mohanlal, Mammootty, - when they speak, govt listens. If they'd said "AMMA will create a 1000-person training center for women editors/VFX artists using the new industrial subsidy", KINFRA would give land tomorrow. Silence means we lose the first-mover advantage to Hyderabad/Chennai. Women get symbolism, not systems. Budget gave extra subsidy for women-led films. That's huge. But women in the industry still fight for basic dignity inside AMMA. You can't pitch "Kerala for women filmmakers" to Netflix while your own association is on the news for internal fights. Credibility first," said Sukumaran.

She also suggested the ideal agenda for AMMA, writing, "What should've happened: AMMA should've walked out of that meeting with 3 resolutions: Set up an AMMA-Govt taskforce to draft proposal for VFX park using new land+power benefits. Use women-led film subsidy to create 100 women assistant directors/camera women in 2 years. Institutionalise anti-harassment policy with external audit, not WhatsApp fights."

"Industry status is not a trophy. It's responsibility. Land and loans won't fix culture. Only leaders will.Kerala gave cinema the keys to the factory. AMMA is still arguing in the parking," concluded Mallika Sukumaran.

The executive committee governing the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), headed by actor Shweta Menon, resigned on June 21 amid intense internal turmoil that led to a series of controversies and even police complaints recently. (ANI)