Kochi, India: Malayalam film producer Sandra Thomas made headlines on Saturday, July 26, as she arrived at the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) office in Kochi wearing a burqa to file her nomination papers for the upcoming executive committee elections scheduled for August 14. Her dramatic move comes amid an ongoing legal and ideological battle with the current leadership of the association.

Sandra is contesting for the position of president, challenging what she describes as a male-dominated leadership that has long resisted change. Speaking to the media after filing her nomination, she explained that her decision to wear a burqa was a symbolic act of protection, citing years of hostility and exclusion by a monopoly of “10 to 15 men” who she claims have controlled the association. She is part of a new panel comprising women and like-minded producers who aim to usher in transparency and reform.

Her fallout with the KFPA intensified after she openly criticised the association for remaining silent on the Hema Committee report, which addressed workplace challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. She also accused top office-bearers of misconduct and discriminatory behavior. Following her criticism, the KFPA issued her a show-cause notice and subsequently removed her from the body, claiming her explanation was unsatisfactory.

Sandra’s candidacy and vocal dissent have reignited wider discussions on gender disparity and power dynamics within Malayalam cinema. Alongside fellow producer Sheela Kurian, she has been demanding a shift in the leadership structure, arguing that the association currently serves the interests of a select few. Her nomination signals a broader push for accountability and inclusiveness within the industry’s institutional framework.