Krishna Kumar CLAIMS 'Mattancherry lobby' exists in Mollywood: 'Hindi cinema had Khan marketculture'
ETimes | July 27, 2026 5:39 PM CST
Actor-turned-politician G. Krishna Kumar has reignited the conversation around alleged influence groups in the Malayalam film industry . During a recent interview, he claimed that the much-discussed " Mattancherry lobby " is real and suggested that success in cinema depends on far more than talent alone.
Speaking on Express Dialogues by The New Indian Express, Krishna Kumar reflected on his long career in films and politics.
He said, "I consider everything to be a matter of luck. There was a time Hindi cinema was ruled by a Khan Market culture. Something similar exists here too. There are political reasons, religious reasons and many other factors. There are many things in cinema that people don't see. People talk about the 'Mattancherry lobby'. If you ask me, yes, it's there."
Actor shares his view on power groupsThe discussion later shifted to the alleged "power group" mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee report. Krishna Kumar said such organised groups are not limited to the Malayalam film industry and exist across different sectors.
He remarked, "It isn't just in Malayalam cinema. People who cannot stand alone unite. It brings strength. That organising can happen based on political ideology, religious ideology or various other lines of thought. So, naturally, power groups will emerge. I don't see anything wrong with that."
Krishna Kumar also said such groups generally function away from the public eye.
He added, "Often, those who create groups don't come to the forefront. They push others forward. Power groups exist everywhere. It's a natural phenomenon. We should counter it by organising, as complaining achieves nothing."
Shwetha Menon defends AMMA 's welfare missionMeanwhile, AMMA President Shwetha Menon recently shared a detailed Facebook post explaining why she has been speaking out against certain individuals mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee report.
She wrote, "I have seen many people on social media mocking our association by saying that most of the members of AMMA are 'out of the field' and don't have any films anymore. But let me say one thing openly... that is the truth. There are many artists in AMMA who live without a steady source of income. The primary objective of AMMA is to support them so they can live with dignity without having to beg anyone, buy their medicines, and afford at least one proper meal a day."
Explaining how AMMA raises funds, she added, "To raise funds for this, Mohanlal, Mammootty, and other stars with strong market value dedicate their time and effort to participate in AMMA's sponsored programmes. We have never looked at whether the money comes from a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, a temple, a church, Ambani, or Adani. We have always welcomed everyone who comes forward to help with the same spirit."
Shwetha Menon alleges financial irregularities and intimidationShwetha Menon further claimed that she uncovered alleged financial irregularities involving welfare funds intended for AMMA members.
She wrote, "However I discovered financial irregularities committed in the past by certain accused individuals involving the funds that rightfully belonged to AMMA's members—money that had been set aside for their treatment, medicines, and welfare activities."
She stated, "It was only after I began questioning these issues that they started trying to humiliate me. They even attempted to physically assault me during the General Body meeting and it was under those circumstances that I began thinking about stepping away from AMMA."
Speaking about the challenges she faced, she added, "No ordinary woman can take on the 'power group' in the Malayalam film industry alone. Anyone who looks at the list of attacks I have faced from the day I contested for the post of AMMA President until today will understand that."
Shwetha Menon also referred to Mohanlal's resignation as AMMA president while questioning why those accused of wrongdoing should continue to influence the organisation.
She wrote, "Why do you think Mohanlal himself resigned from the post of AMMA President? Didn't he also wonder why he should be blamed for the irregularities and alleged fraud committed by these accused individuals?"
She said, "At no stage of my struggle was it about securing any position or personal gain. My fight has always been against those who committed financial irregularities in AMMA and against certain accused individuals. They believe they can silence me by spreading false stories and defaming me. But no matter how many lies they spread about me or how much they insult me, I will never step back from this fight. Because this is a fight to protect the rights of AMMA and its ordinary members. Even if I lose this battle, it does not matter. Because through this struggle, that power group has already been exposed before the members of AMMA. That itself is my greatest victory."
Speaking on Express Dialogues by The New Indian Express, Krishna Kumar reflected on his long career in films and politics.
He said, "I consider everything to be a matter of luck. There was a time Hindi cinema was ruled by a Khan Market culture. Something similar exists here too. There are political reasons, religious reasons and many other factors. There are many things in cinema that people don't see. People talk about the 'Mattancherry lobby'. If you ask me, yes, it's there."
Actor shares his view on power groupsThe discussion later shifted to the alleged "power group" mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee report. Krishna Kumar said such organised groups are not limited to the Malayalam film industry and exist across different sectors.
He remarked, "It isn't just in Malayalam cinema. People who cannot stand alone unite. It brings strength. That organising can happen based on political ideology, religious ideology or various other lines of thought. So, naturally, power groups will emerge. I don't see anything wrong with that."
Krishna Kumar also said such groups generally function away from the public eye.
He added, "Often, those who create groups don't come to the forefront. They push others forward. Power groups exist everywhere. It's a natural phenomenon. We should counter it by organising, as complaining achieves nothing."
Shwetha Menon defends AMMA 's welfare missionMeanwhile, AMMA President Shwetha Menon recently shared a detailed Facebook post explaining why she has been speaking out against certain individuals mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee report.
She wrote, "I have seen many people on social media mocking our association by saying that most of the members of AMMA are 'out of the field' and don't have any films anymore. But let me say one thing openly... that is the truth. There are many artists in AMMA who live without a steady source of income. The primary objective of AMMA is to support them so they can live with dignity without having to beg anyone, buy their medicines, and afford at least one proper meal a day."
Explaining how AMMA raises funds, she added, "To raise funds for this, Mohanlal, Mammootty, and other stars with strong market value dedicate their time and effort to participate in AMMA's sponsored programmes. We have never looked at whether the money comes from a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, a temple, a church, Ambani, or Adani. We have always welcomed everyone who comes forward to help with the same spirit."
Shwetha Menon alleges financial irregularities and intimidationShwetha Menon further claimed that she uncovered alleged financial irregularities involving welfare funds intended for AMMA members.
She wrote, "However I discovered financial irregularities committed in the past by certain accused individuals involving the funds that rightfully belonged to AMMA's members—money that had been set aside for their treatment, medicines, and welfare activities."
She stated, "It was only after I began questioning these issues that they started trying to humiliate me. They even attempted to physically assault me during the General Body meeting and it was under those circumstances that I began thinking about stepping away from AMMA."
Speaking about the challenges she faced, she added, "No ordinary woman can take on the 'power group' in the Malayalam film industry alone. Anyone who looks at the list of attacks I have faced from the day I contested for the post of AMMA President until today will understand that."
Shwetha Menon also referred to Mohanlal's resignation as AMMA president while questioning why those accused of wrongdoing should continue to influence the organisation.
She wrote, "Why do you think Mohanlal himself resigned from the post of AMMA President? Didn't he also wonder why he should be blamed for the irregularities and alleged fraud committed by these accused individuals?"
She said, "At no stage of my struggle was it about securing any position or personal gain. My fight has always been against those who committed financial irregularities in AMMA and against certain accused individuals. They believe they can silence me by spreading false stories and defaming me. But no matter how many lies they spread about me or how much they insult me, I will never step back from this fight. Because this is a fight to protect the rights of AMMA and its ordinary members. Even if I lose this battle, it does not matter. Because through this struggle, that power group has already been exposed before the members of AMMA. That itself is my greatest victory."
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