Dileep

Dileep was born in Edavanakad, in Ernakulam district of Kerala, India to Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam on 27 October 1967.^[3][4] He is the eldest among three children.^[5] He has a brother, Anoop, and a sister, Sabitha.^[6]

Dileep studied at Vidyadhiraja Vidya Bhavan Higher Secondary School in Aluva, where he passed the tenth standard in 1985, and joined the Union Christian College, Aluva for pre-degree third group, during 1985–1987. Later, he pursued a degree in history at Maharaja's College, Ernakulam.^[7][8]

It was during his time in Maharaja's College that he began taking impressionist acts seriously.^[7] Dileep along with his friend Nadirshah produced and performed in the Onam-based audio cassette titled De Maveli Kombathu, which helped his entry into the film industry.^[9]

Dileep started his career at Kalabhavan, working as a mimicry artist in the 1980s.^[10] He also performed in Asianet's comedy show Comicola. Later, while working as the assistant director to Kamal, he acted in a few small roles, starting with a small scene in Kamal's Ennodu Ishtam Koodamo (1992). Kamal recommended his name to many directors. He started using the name of the role Dileep in Manathe Kottaram (1994), as his screen name. Success of two 1996 films, Kamal's Ee Puzhayum Kadannu and Sundar Das' Sallapam, anchored his place in the Malayalam film industry.^[11] He played a supporting role in I. V. Sasi's Varnapakittu (1997). Punjabi House in 1998 marked the beginning of the successful Dileep-Harishree Ashokan combo.^[12]

Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001) and Kuberan (2002) were a major success at box office and are considered two of the best movies in his career.^[13]

In 2002 he won the Kerala State Film Special Jury Award for playing the role of Kunjan in the film Kunjikoonan. In Lal Jose's Meesa Madhavan (2002), Dileep played the role of the thief Madhavan. This movie, which eventually developed a cult following was a major breakthrough in his career as it increased Dileep's stardom to a new level in Malayalam cinema.^[14] The same year he also debuted in Tamil cinema with Raajjiyam.^[15] C.I.D. Moosa (2003), a slapstick comedy by Johny Anthony is considered one of Dileep's career best movies by many fans.^[16] In 2004, he produced and starred in T. V. Chandran's Kadhavaseshan. He won a Special Mention for his performance in Chanthupottu (2005).^[17]

Dileep produced Joshiy-directed Twenty:20 (2008) to raise funds for the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The film became the highest-grossing Malayalam film (₹ 31.4 crore) until that time.^[18]

He ventured into production with Malarvaadi Arts Club. Kaaryasthan (2010) was his 100th movie,^[19] For his role in Vellaripravinte Changathi (2011) he won a Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.^[20] "Two Countries" released on Christmas Day 2015, directed by Shafi, became the highest-grossing film in his career.^[21] His 2017 film, Ramaleela, became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.^[22]

After a break, in the movie Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan (transl. Keshu is the lord of this house) Dileep comes to the screen in the title role along with Urvashi.The film was originally scheduled for a theatrical release but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India.^[23]

Dileep married actress Manju Warrier on 20 October 1998.^[24] The couple had a daughter born in 2000.^[25] In July 2014, the couple filed for divorce which was granted on 31 January 2015.^[26] On 25 November 2016, Dileep married actress Kavya Madhavan.^[27][28][25] The couple have a daughter born in 2018.^[29]

Besides acting and film production, Dileep is also involved in film distribution (through Graand Production) and exhibition.^{[citation needed]} He owns the multiplex theater complex D Cinemaas situated in Chalakudy.^{[citation needed]} He along with his friend Nadirshah founded the restaurant chain Dhe Puttu, they have restaurants in Kochi, Kozhikode, Qatar and Dubai.^[30]

He is one of the most popular actors in Malayalam cinema, arguably considered next to Mammootty and Mohanlal. He is popularly called 'Janapriya Nayakan' by delivering consecutive hits which entertained the audience of all ages.^[31]

2019 film Shibu starring Karthik directed by Arjun and Gokul is a film made on Dileep, and is based on an ardent fan of Dileep who wants to make a movie with him.^[32][33]

On 28 June 2017, Dileep was interrogated by the Kerala Police in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of actress Bhavana on 17 February 2017.^[34] On 10 July 2017, Dileep was arrested by the Kerala Police for alleged conspiracy, and was remanded by the court.^[35] Following his arrest, Dileep's membership was revoked by various film organisations.^[36] Several political parties protested against Dileep and his business firms were vandalized, including Dhe Puttu restaurant and the multiplex theatre D Cinemaas.^[37] On 3 October 2017, he was released on conditional bail by the Kerala High Court.^[38] In June 2018, he filed a petition in the Kerala High Court charging the Kerala Police of deliberately framing him. He requested the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.^[39]

Dileep filed an additional plea for accessing video footage of the incident. The plea was denied by both the Angamaly Magistrate Court and the Kerala High Court. Mukul Rohatgi represented him in the case. In October 2018, Dileep was granted bail by the Kerala High Court.^[40] In April 2019, the Government of Kerala froze charges against him until the court has given an independent verdict on the case.^[41] In May 2019, the Supreme Court stayed his trial until his plea for footage is considered.^[42] On 30 November, the court turned down his plea, rather allowed to inspect its content, or have a second opinion as to whether the video is genuine.^[43]

In December 2021, film director Balachandra Kumar gave an interview to a news channel where he alleged that he was witness to discussions among people including Dileep, regarding turning witnesses hostile, attacking police officers leading the investigation and being in illegal possession of the assault video. He also claimed he had audio recordings of these conversations.^[44][45] Based on these claims, Kerala police registered a new case against Dileep for conspiracy to assault investigating officers.^[46] On 7 February 2022, he and others were granted anticipatory bail by Kerala High Court in conspiracy case.^[47] Case against him is put on hold.

Playback singing

Kerala State Film Awards

• 2011: Best Actor – Vellaripravinte Changathi^[55]
• 2005: Special Mention – Chanthupottu^[56]
• 2004: Second Best Film – Kathavasheshan (producer)
• 2002: Special Jury Award – Kunjikoonan^[57]

Filmfare Awards South

• 2002: Best Actor in Malayalam – Meesha Madhavan^[58]

Asianet Film Awards

• 2002: Best Actor – Kunjikoonan
• 2004: Special Jury Award – Kathavasheshan
• 2008: Best Film – Twenty:20
• 2010: Most Popular Actor – Body Guard
• 2013: Award of Excellence for completing 20 years in Malayalam film industry^[59]

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards

• 2001: Best Supporting Actor-Joker
• 2004: Best Actor – Kadhavaseshan
• 2005: Best Actor – Chanthupottu

South Indian International Movie Awards

• 2014: Best Actor – Sound Thoma

Vanitha Film Awards

• 2013: Best Popular Actor

Jaihind Film Awards

• 2010: Most Popular Actor Award
• 2011: Chalachitra Pratibha Award
• 2012: Best Actor – Mayamohini, Arike
• 2013: Most Popular Actor Award
• 2014: Most Popular Actor Award

Amrita Film Awards

• 2010: Most Popular Actor Award

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dileep.

• Dileep at IMDb