‘It was time to put a full stop’: Mohanlal on stepping down as AMMA president
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New Delhi: Mohanlal has broken his silence on his resignation as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), more than a year after his unexpected decision in August 2024. In an interview with Asianet News, the actor reflected on the reasons behind his exit and the developments that followed.
He addressed the widespread assumption that he stepped down due to growing criticism after the Hema Committee report, which exposed AMMA’s mishandling of sexual abuse complaints.
Mohanlal clarified that the decision was not driven by public backlash but rather by his personal belief that it was the right time to step away. He acknowledged facing intense criticism and admitted that it made AMMA seem like “an enemy” to many, but insisted his resignation stemmed from a sense of closure rather than pressure, NDTV reported.
Expressing hope for the organisation’s future, Mohanlal said he believed members who had distanced themselves from AMMA might eventually return. He also welcomed the election of Shwetha Menon as AMMA’s first female president, calling it a significant and positive shift that marks a fresh chapter for the association.
Mohanlal, who had been serving as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) since 2018, was widely expected to contest for another term for 2024-27. However, his resignation in August 2024 not only took him out of the race but also resulted in the dissolution of the entire committee.
The actor clarified that stepping down was neither a personal setback nor a defeat, but a decision he saw as a natural progression. His exit, he said, created space for fresh leadership within the organisation. Since then, he has shifted his focus back to his film career.
Mohanlal has continued to reaffirm his position as one of Malayalam cinema’s most bankable stars, with the massive success of films like L2: Empuraan and Thudarum. Most recently, he made a strong comeback to the big screen with Hridayapoorvam, released on August 28, once again drawing large audiences to theatres.
