Who is Shwetha Menon? A closer look at AMMA’s presidential frontrunner

DH Web Desk

Born to Malayali parents, Shwetha Menon was raised in Chandigarh and was exposed to diverse cultures and ways of life from an early age.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

The diva stepped into Malayalam cinema with a memorable debut in Anaswaram (1991), which featured Mammootty.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

She then entered the world of modeling and pageants, earning the third runner-up spot at Miss India 1994. The same year Sushmita Sen won the crown and Aishwarya Rai was first runner-up.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

Shwetha was the first winner of the Gladrags Female Supermodel title in 1994 and also reached the semi-finals at the Miss Asia pageant.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

She also won the Femina India Asia Pacific title in 1994, marking a turning point in her career with multiple accolades in beauty competitions that year.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

Following her success in the beauty world, Shwetha Menon was flooded with Bollywood offers. She debuted in 1997 with Prithvi and subsequently appeared in around five dozen Hindi movies.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

Shwetha has worked with Bollywood superstars like Salman Khan in Bandhan and Shah Rukh Khan in Asoka.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

In Malayalam cinema, she has starred in several acclaimed films such as Salt N’ Pepper, Paleri Manikyam, Rathinirvedam and Kalimannu.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

In 2009, she received the Kerala State Film Award for the first time for her outstanding performance in Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

Always willing to challenge norms, Shwetha Menon stirred debate with Kalimannu, a film by Blessy about a woman opting for artificial insemination from her late husband’s sample.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

Pregnant with her first child, Shwetha Menon’s decision to film her real pregnancy and childbirth was groundbreaking in Indian cinema and generated significant controversy.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

Shwetha’s fearless approach to bold and intimate roles has earned her notable parts in films like Rathinirvedam (2011).

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

In 2018, Shwetha Menon took part in the Malayalam reality TV show Bigg Boss, hosted by Mohanlal.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon

With AMMA elections slated for August 15, Shwetha Menon stands out as a leading candidate for president.

|

Credit: Instagram/@shwetha_menon