Kochi: In a bold move aimed at challenging the entrenched patriarchy in the Malayalam film industry, producer Sandra Thomas on Saturday filed her nomination to contest for the post of President of the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA). The executive committee elections are scheduled to be held on August 14.
Arriving at the KFPA office in a black purdah, Thomas made a powerful symbolic statement against what she calls a “male-dominated and exclusionary” association.
Purdah as Protest: “A Symbol of the Discrimination I’ve Faced”
Speaking to The Indian Express, Thomas, 38, said the purdah was a mark of protest against the way women have been sidelined by the KFPA leadership.
“The producers’ association has been run by a coterie of 10-15 men for years. Women have no voice. They’re not even asked to participate in ceremonial roles,” she said.
Sandra Thomas owns Sandra Thomas Productions and is among the very few women producers in the Malayalam film industry.
Criminal Case Against KFPA Leaders
Thomas has filed a police complaint against four office-bearers of the KFPA, including:
- President Anto Joseph
- Secretary B Rakesh
- Executive committee members Anil Thomas and Ouseppachan Valakkuzhi
They were booked under IPC Sections 354A, 509, 506, and 34 following a derogatory and hostile exchange at a meeting over film distribution. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a chargesheet in the case in April 2025.
Despite the pending trial, those accused are set to contest the upcoming elections. “They should step aside until justice is served,” said Thomas.
Expulsion, Court Reprieve, and Continued Harassment
Thomas’s conflict with the KFPA began after she questioned the office-bearers’ silence on the Hema Committee Report, which investigated issues faced by women in Malayalam cinema. She was later expelled from the association in November 2024 for “unsatisfactory explanations”.
However, she challenged the decision in court and secured a stay in December 2024. She also alleged that the KFPA defamed her by circulating a fake story about her in the annual report.
Call for Reform and Transparency
Sandra Thomas has vowed to:
- Break the monopoly of the current leadership
- Restore membership transparency
- Support struggling producers
- Ensure fair pension distribution
“In 2016, the association had 600+ members. Now it’s down to 316 voters. They reject new members and expel dissenters arbitrarily,” she said.
She claims that wealthy producers receive pensions, while needy ones are denied assistance.
KFPA Dismisses Allegations
KFPA Vice President Suresh Kumar refuted her claims as a “publicity stunt”, stating:
“No other woman has raised concerns. There’s no law preventing those with cases from contesting elections.”
He added that the KFPA has done much for its members, citing the Rs 15 crore building in Kochi and digital mastering facilities that help producers cut costs on distribution.
A Trailblazer’s Journey
Sandra Thomas co-founded Friday Film House with actor Vijay Babu and co-produced popular films like Amen, Philips and the Monkey Pen, and Aadu. She parted ways with Babu in 2017 and now runs her own production house. She is married to businessman Wilson John Thomas and is the mother of twin daughters.
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