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{{Short description|Indian actor and producer}}
{{Short description|Indian actor and producer}}
{{about|an Indian actor|other uses}}
{{about|an Indian actor|other uses}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Dileep
| name              = Dilieep
| image              = Dileep2016.jpg
| image              = Dileep2016.jpg
| caption            = Dileep in 2016
| caption            = Dileep in 2016
| birth_name        = Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan Pillai<ref>{{cite web|title=കണ്ണ് റഞ്ഞ് കോളേജിന്റെ പടികൾ ഇറങ്ങിയ ദിലീപ് {{!}} Dileep {{!}} Interview {{!}} G S Pradeep {{!}}|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhNGLfN8Ul4|publisher=[[Kairali TV]]|access-date=27 October 2020|language=ml}}</ref>
| birth_name        = Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan
| birth_date        = <!--Must cite a reliable published source with a reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb. no fan-sites.-->
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1967|10|27}}
| birth_place        = [[Edavanakad, Kerala|Edavanakad]], [[Kerala, India]]
| birth_place        = [[Edavanakkad]], [[Ernakulam district]], Kerala<ref>{{cite web|title=കണ്ണ് റഞ്ഞ് കോളേജിന്റെ പടികൾ ഇറങ്ങിയ ദിലീപ് {{!}} Dileep {{!}} Interview {{!}} G S Pradeep {{!}}| date=26 October 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhNGLfN8Ul4|publisher=[[Kairali TV]]|access-date=27 October 2020|language=ml}}</ref>
| alma_mater        = [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala|Mahatma Gandhi University]]
| alma_mater        = [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala|Mahatma Gandhi University]]
| occupation        = {{hlist|Film actor|film producer|businessman}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Actor|producer|businessman}}
| years_active      = 1991–present
| years_active      = 1991{{Endash}}present
| works              = [[Dileep filmography|Full list]]
| spouse            = {{Plainlist|
| spouse            = {{Plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Manju Warrier]]|1998|2015|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[Manju Warrier]]|1998|2015|reason=divorced}}
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}}
}}


'''Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan Pillai'''<!--Any Date of birth must cite a reliable published source with a reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb. no fan-sites.-->, better known by his stage name '''Dileep''', is an Indian actor, producer, and businessman who predominantly works in the [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam film industry]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/editorial/being-human-salmanification-of-janapriya-nayakan-dilieep |title=The 'Being Human' Salmanification of 'Janapriya Nayakan' Dileep |work=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |access-date=24 August 2018 }}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He has acted in more than 150 films and has won several awards, including four [[Kerala State Film Awards]] and one [[Filmfare Awards South]].
'''Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan''',<!--Any Date of birth must cite a reliable published source with a reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb. no fan-sites.--> known by his moniker<!--Not a stage name. He was known by the moniker Dileep before entering cinema.--> '''Dilieep''' or '''Dileep''', is an Indian film actor, producer, and entrepreneur who predominantly works in the [[Malayalam cinema]]. He has acted in over 150 films and won several awards, including four [[Kerala State Film Awards]] and a [[Filmfare Awards South]].


Beginning as an [[Impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]] in stage shows, Dileep obtained recognition after being cast in the television comedy series ''Comicola'' on [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]] and its successor ''[[Cinemala]]''. He then produced and performed in the audio cassette series ''De Maveli Kombathu'' with [[Nadirshah]], a successful [[sketch comedy]], which was later turned into a television series on Asianet. He began his film career as an [[assistant director]] and worked under director [[Kamal (director)|Kamal]] in nine films, beginning with ''[[Vishnulokam]]'' in 1991, and made his acting debut with a minor role in Kamal's ''[[Ennodu Ishtam Koodamo]]'' (1992). He acted in a principal role in the 1994 film ''[[Manathe Kottaram]]'' taking the screen name Dileep. He established himself as a successful actor during the late 1990s, mostly playing comedic roles. In 2003, Dileep founded the film production company [[Graand Production]], its debut film was ''[[C.I.D. Moosa]]''.
Beginning as a stage [[Impressionist (entertainment)|mimic]], Dileep initially gained attention through the comedy audio series ''Dhe Maveli Kombathu'' and the television programmes ''Comicola'' and ''[[Cinemala]]'' on [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]. He entered films as an [[assistant director]] to [[Kamal (director)|Kamal]], beginning with ''[[Vishnulokam]]'' (1991), and made his acting debut with a minor role in Kamal's ''[[Ennodishtam Koodamo]]'' (1992). His first lead role came with ''[[Manathe Kottaram]]'' (1994), followed by breakthrough roles in ''[[Sallapam]]'' and ''[[Ee Puzhayum Kadannu]]'' in 1996, which established him as a bankable actor. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, he became widely known for slapstick comedies, such as ''[[Punjabi House]]'' (1998), ''[[Thenkasipattanam]]'' (2000), ''[[Darling Darling (2000 film)|Darling Darling]]'' (2000), ''[[Ee Parakkum Thalika]]'' (2001), and ''[[Ishtam (2001 Malayalam film)|Ishtam]]'' (2001).


Outside of films, Dileep also owns the [[Multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex theatre]] D Cinemaas and the [[restaurant chain]] Dhe Puttu. Dileep was married to actress [[Manju Warrier]] from 1998 to 2015. He married actress [[Kavya Madhavan]] in 2016.
The success of ''[[Meesha Madhavan]]'' (2002) elevated him to stardom and earned him the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam]]. That year, he also received the [[Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award]] for ''[[Kunjikoonan]]'', followed by a [[Kerala State Film Award – Special Mention|Special Mention]] for ''[[Chanthupottu]]'' (2005). In 2003, he launched his production company Graand Production, debuting with ''[[C.I.D. Moosa]]''. He has also appeared in off-beat works such as ''[[Kathavaseshan]]'' (which he also produced and which won [[Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film|Second Best Film]] at the state awards) and ''[[Perumazhakkalam]]''. In 2008, he produced ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]'' on behalf of [[Association of Malayalam Movie Artists|AMMA]], which became the highest-grossing Malayalam film at the time.


==Early life==
Dileep won the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor]] for ''[[Vellaripravinte Changathi]]'' (2011). His later films ''[[Two Countries]]'' (2015) and ''[[Ramaleela]]'' (2017) each grossed over ₹50 crore and placed among the higher-grossing Malayalam films of their respective years. Outside films, he owns a multiplex theatre and restaurant chains.


Dileep was born in [[Edavanakad]], in [[Ernakulam district]] of [[Kerala]], India to Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam. He is the eldest among three children.<ref name="movies.deepthi.com">{{cite web |url=http://movies.deepthi.com/malayalam/actors/dileep.html |title=Dileep – Malayalam celebrities the stories and the gossips |website=movies.deepthi.com |access-date=20 November 2008 |archive-date=1 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201223808/http://movies.deepthi.com/malayalam/actors/dileep.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has a brother, Anoop, and a sister, Sabitha.<ref>{{cite web |title=താരങ്ങളുടെ വോട്ടു ആർക്കൊക്കെ? |url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/star-vote-kerala.html |publisher=manoramaonline.com |access-date=17 May 2016 |archive-date=21 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521025531/http://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/star-vote-kerala.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Early life and education ==


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 (higher secondary) third group, during 1985–1987. Later, he pursued a degree in history at [[Maharaja's College, Ernakulam]].<ref name="metromatinee1">{{cite web |url=http://www.metromatinee.com/artist/Dileep-28 |title=Dileep:Profile And Biography, Malayalam Movie Actor Dileep latest Photo Gallery &#124; Video Gallery, Malayalam Movie Actor Dileep, Dileep Filimography, Dileep Films and Cinemas, Dileep Awards And Nominations |publisher=Metromatinee.com |date=7 February 1968 |access-date=20 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008113131/http://www.metromatinee.com/artist/Dileep-28 |archive-date=8 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zonkerala.com/achievers/article.php?id=8 |title=Dileep – Career, productions, latest movies and awards by actor Dileep Photos |publisher=Zonkerala.com |date=27 October 1967 |access-date=20 October 2013 |archive-date=13 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913143713/http://www.zonkerala.com/achievers/article.php?id=8 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was during his time in Maharaja's College that he began taking [[Impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]] acts (mimicry) seriously.<ref name="metromatinee1"/> Dileep along with his friend [[Nadirshah]] produced and performed (voice) in the [[Onam]]-based audio cassette (album) titled ''De Maveli Kombathu'', which helped his entry into the film industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=An Onam sans Dileep: Mollywood stares at another first |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2017/08/29/dileep-no-onam-malayalam-movies-high-court-bail.html |access-date=6 February 2019 |work=[[Malayala Manorama]] |date=29 August 2017 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020037/https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2017/08/29/dileep-no-onam-malayalam-movies-high-court-bail.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Dileep was born as Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan at [[Edavanakad]] in the [[Ernakulam district]] of [[Kerala]], to Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam on 27 October 1967.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 2022 |title=Suresh Gopi, Tamannaah Bhatia, and other celebs extend birthday wishes to Dileep |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/suresh-gopi-tamannaah-bhatia-and-other-celebs-extend-birthday-wishes-to-dileep/articleshow/95120338.cms |access-date=19 September 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 2023 |title=Makers of 'Thankamani' drop the second look poster on Dileep's birthday |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/makers-of-thankamani-drop-the-second-look-poster-on-dileeps-birthday/articleshow/104750344.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210052934/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/makers-of-thankamani-drop-the-second-look-poster-on-dileeps-birthday/articleshow/104750344.cms |archive-date=10 December 2023 |access-date=18 March 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name="IT2"/> He is the eldest of three children.<ref name="movies.deepthi.com">{{cite web |title=Dileep – Malayalam celebrities the stories and the gossips |url=http://movies.deepthi.com/malayalam/actors/dileep.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029122646/http://movies.deepthi.com/malayalam/actors/dileep.html |archive-date=29 October 2023 |access-date=20 November 2008 |website=movies.deepthi.com}}</ref>


==Career ==
Dileep attended [[Vidyadhiraja Vidya Bhavan Higher Secondary School|Vidyadhiraja Vidya Bhavan School]] in [[Aluva]], where he passed the tenth standard in 1985. He then joined the [[Union Christian College, Aluva]], to complete his pre-degree during 1985–1987. Later, he pursued a degree in history from the [[Maharaja's College, Ernakulam]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=http://www.zonkerala.com/achievers/article.php?id=8 |title=Dileep – Career, productions, latest movies and awards by actor Dileep Photos |publisher=Zonkerala.com |date=27 October 1967 |access-date=20 October 2013 |archive-date=13 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913143713/http://www.zonkerala.com/achievers/article.php?id=8 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{excessive examples|section|date=August 2018}}


===1991–1999: Early years===
It was during the time at Maharaja's College that he began taking [[Impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]] acts seriously.
Dileep started his career at [[Kalabhavan]], working as a [[Impressionist (entertainment)|mimicry]] artist in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nostalgia grips Dileep fans as buddy Nadirshah shares old photo |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2019/01/30/dileep-nadirshah-challenge-old-photo-facebook.html |access-date=6 February 2019 |work=[[Malayala Manorama]]|archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015217/https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2019/01/30/dileep-nadirshah-challenge-old-photo-facebook.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He also performed in [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]'s comedy show ''Comicola''. Later, while working as the [[assistant director]] to [[Kamal (director)|Kamal]], he acted in a few small roles, starting with a small scene in [[Kamal (director)|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/07/12/actor-dileep-life-story-rise-and-fall-mollywood.html|title=The rise and fall of Mollywood's people's hero Dileep...|work=[[Malayala Manorama]]|date=12 July 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=മേനോൻ|first=ശ്രീലക്ഷ്മി|title=ജൂലെെ നാല്: മെഗാ ഹിറ്റായ നാല് ചിത്രങ്ങളും കൂട്ടുകെട്ടും, ഹരിശ്രീ അശോകൻ പറയുന്നു|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/interview/harisree-ashokan-about-meesamadhavan-parakkum-thalika-cid-moosa-pandippada-and-dileep-1.4880574|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-12|website=[[Mathrubhumi]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705033453/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/interview/harisree-ashokan-about-meesamadhavan-parakkum-thalika-cid-moosa-pandippada-and-dileep-1.4880574 |archive-date=5 July 2020 }}</ref>


===2000–2009: Stardom===
== Career ==
=== 1991–1999: From mimicry to cinema ===
Dileep began performing mimicry on stage after becoming an active member of the troupe Harisree.<ref name="IT2"/> He later worked with other troupes as well, including Cochin Guinness.<ref>{{cite web |last1=പഴേരി |first1=അജ്മൽ |title='എനിക്കും വേണം ഗിന്നസ് റെക്കോഡ്' 'അതിന് നിനക്ക് എന്ത് കഴിവാണുള്ളത്?' |url=https://grihalakshmi.mathrubhumi.com/faces/cochin-guinness-kalabhavan-ks-prasad-interview-1b8c1c87 |publisher=[[Grihalakshmi (magazine)|Grihalakshmi]] |access-date=7 December 2025 |language=ml |date=30 June 2024}}</ref> In the early to mid-1990s, Dileep, along with [[Nadirshah]], created ''Dhe Maveli Kombathu'', a comedy [[audio cassette]] series released annually during [[Onam]]. The series, which depicted [[Mahabali]] visiting [[Kerala]], became a widespread success. Around the same time, Dileep began appearing on television through [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]'s comedy programmes ''Comicola'' and ''[[Cinemala]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Anubha |title=Why mimicry artists are bigger (and better) in Kerala than anywhere else in India |url=https://scroll.in/magazine/908633/why-mimicry-artists-are-bigger-and-better-in-kerala-than-anywhere-else-in-india |access-date=6 December 2025 |work=[[Scroll.in]] |date=12 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=An Onam sans Dileep: Mollywood stares at another first |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2017/08/29/dileep-no-onam-malayalam-movies-high-court-bail.html |access-date=6 February 2019 |work=[[Malayala Manorama]] |date=29 August 2017 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020037/https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2017/08/29/dileep-no-onam-malayalam-movies-high-court-bail.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
With the support of actor [[Jayaram]], Dileep entered the film industry as an [[assistant director]] to filmmaker [[Kamal (director)|Kamal]], beginning with ''[[Vishnulokam]]'' (1991). His first task on set was operating the clapperboard for lead actor [[Mohanlal]].<ref name="TIE1">{{cite news |last1=Philip |first1=Shaju |title=The Sunday Profile: Dileep, Hero in trouble |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sunday-profile-malayalam-actor-dileep-7725416/ |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=16 January 2022}}</ref> He was credited on screen as "Dileep".<ref>{{cite web |title=Vishnulokam Malayalam Full Movie {{!}} Mohanlal {{!}} Santhi Krishna {{!}} Urvashi {{!}} Kamal {{!}} Raveendran {{!}} |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIDKfX0V4FI |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher=Malayalam Latest Movies |access-date=7 December 2025 |date=15 December 2024}}</ref> Although he worked behind the camera, acting had always been his ambition,<ref name="TH1">{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Vijay |title=Charging forward |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Charging-forward/article15675587.ece |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=4 November 2010}}</ref> and he continued assisting Kamal on several films, including ''[[Ulladakkam]]'' (1991), ''[[Champakulam Thachan]]'' (1992), and ''[[Ghazal (1993 film)|Ghazal]]'' (1993).<ref name="IT1">{{cite news |author1=India Today Web Desk |title=Kerala actress abduction: Dileep's rise from a mimic to a powerful force in Mollywood, before his fall |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kerala-actress-abduction-dileep-rise-power-mollywood-1023914-2017-07-12 |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[India Today]] |date=12 July 2017}}</ref> Dileep made his acting debut in a small role in Kamal's ''[[Ennodishtam Koodamo]]'' (1992) after a scheduled actor failed to appear.<ref name="IT2">{{cite news |last1=Jacob |first1=Jeemon |title=The rise and fall of Dileep |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/the-rise-and-fall-of-dileep-1907703-2022-02-02 |access-date=31 August 2024 |work=[[India Today]] |date=2 February 2022}}</ref> He gained further visibility with a supporting role in ''[[Sainyam]]''.<ref name="TNIE1">{{cite news |author1=Express News Service |title=My Critics Don't Know Me: Actor Dileep |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2015/Oct/31/my-critics-dont-know-me-actor-dileep-836767.html |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=31 October 2015}}</ref>
 
Beginning his career with comic supporting parts, Dileep soon transitioned to leading roles that the media later characterised as "friendly, boy-next-door" portrayals. His first [[Breakthrough role|breakthrough]] came in the comedy-drama ''[[Manathe Kottaram]]'' (1994), in which he starred alongside Nadirshah, [[Harisree Ashokan]], and [[Khushbu]]; the film achieved moderate commercial success. He continued in comic roles in films such as ''[[Three Men Army]]'' and ''[[Ezharakkoottam]]'' (both 1995)—the latter marking a turning point in his career and helping pave the way for future lead roles.<ref name="TH1"/>
 
From 1996 onward, Dileep established himself as a successful leading actor.<ref name="IT2"/> Impressed by his performance in ''Ezharakkoottam'', director [[Sundar Das]] cast him as the lead in the drama ''[[Sallapam]]'' (1996), also featuring [[Manju Warrier]]. The film became a breakthrough for him as a hero and was followed later that year by ''[[Ee Puzhayum Kadannu]]'' (1996), directed by Kamal and featuring the same lead pair, which was also a commercial success.<ref name="TH1"/> These films made the onscreen romantic duo popular, and the two would later marry in 1998. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dileep had achieved broad audience appeal, particularly through slapstick comedies. Film trade analyst Sreedhar Pillai observes that Dileep filled the gap in the slapstick-comedy market left by Mohanlal, who had moved away from the genre to focus on other kinds of roles.<ref name="Quint">{{cite news |last1=Pillai |first1=Sreedhar |title=Stardom to Jail Inmate: The Rise & Fall of Malayalam Actor Dileep |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/cinema/dileep-life-and-career-actress-abduction-molestation-case |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[The Quint]] |date=11 July 2017}}</ref>
 
He further cemented his [[bankable star|bankability]] with films such as ''[[Manthra Mothiram]]'' (1997). The 1998 comedy ''[[Punjabi House]]'' was described in the media as his first "blockbuster".<ref name="TNIE1"/> The film also marked the beginning of the comedy duo of Dileep and Harisree Ashokan.<ref>{{Cite web|last=മേനോൻ|first=ശ്രീലക്ഷ്മി|title=ജൂലെെ നാല്: മെഗാ ഹിറ്റായ നാല് ചിത്രങ്ങളും കൂട്ടുകെട്ടും, ഹരിശ്രീ അശോകൻ പറയുന്നു|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/interview/harisree-ashokan-about-meesamadhavan-parakkum-thalika-cid-moosa-pandippada-and-dileep-1.4880574|url-status=live|access-date=12 June 2021|website=[[Mathrubhumi]]|date=4 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705033453/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/interview/harisree-ashokan-about-meesamadhavan-parakkum-thalika-cid-moosa-pandippada-and-dileep-1.4880574 |archive-date=5 July 2020 }}</ref> The 1999 film ''[[Chandranudikkunna Dikkil]]'' was Dileep's first collaboration with both [[Kavya Madhavan]]<ref name="sifyKavyaDileep">{{cite web |author1=Moviebuzz |title=Dileep-Kavya in New Zealand! |url=http://m.sify.com/movies/dileep-kavya-in-new-zealand-news-malayalam-kkfvvBiiibesi.html |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=7 December 2025 |date=8 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318184636/http://m.sify.com/movies/dileep-kavya-in-new-zealand-news-malayalam-kkfvvBiiibesi.html |archive-date=18 March 2018 }}</ref> and director [[Lal Jose]]. Though not a commercial success, the pairing proved successful in their later films.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dileep and I had differences; our film suffered because of the hit movie, reveals Lal Jose |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/dileep-and-i-had-differences-our-film-suffered-because-of-the-hit-movie-lal-jose-a0a6f5a3 |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |date=15 November 2024}}</ref>
 
=== 2000–2009: Stardom ===
[[File:Dileep 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|Dileep in 2008]]
[[File:Dileep 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|Dileep in 2008]]
''[[Ee Parakkum Thalika]]'' (2001) and ''[[Kuberan (2002 film)|Kuberan]]'' (2002) were a major success at box office and are considered two of the best movies in his career.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-23|title=Five Dileep-starrer comedy films that could give you instant relief, during stressful self-isolation|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/five-dileep-starrer-comedy-films-that-could-give-you-instant-relief-during-stressful-self-isolation/photostory/74776864.cms|access-date=2021-07-19|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
His range as an actor gained recognition with [[Lohithadas]]' ''[[Joker (2000 film)|Joker]]'' (2000); filmmaker [[Lal Jose]] later noted that "the big names in the industry started realising his potential after his work in Lohithadas' ''Joker''".<ref name="TH1"/> By this time already a bankable lead, Dileep opted for a supporting comedic role in ''[[Thenkasipattanam]]'' headlined by [[Suresh Gopi]] and [[Lal (actor)|Lal]]—a performance that earned him appreciation.<ref name="MM1">{{cite news |last1=Chandran K. P. |first1=Ramesh |title=The rise and fall of Mollywood's people's hero Dileep |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2017/07/12/actor-dileep-life-story-rise-and-fall-mollywood.html |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[OnManorama]] |date=12 July 2017}}</ref> The film was also a major commercial success. He continued his success with films such as ''[[Darling Darling (2000 film)|Darling Darling]]'' (2000), ''[[Ee Parakkum Thalika]]'' (2001), and ''[[Ishtam (2001 Malayalam film)|Ishtam]]'' (2001).<ref name="MM1"/>
 
In 2002, Dileep starred as a small-town thief in Lal Jose's ''[[Meesha Madhavan]]'', which became the highest-grossing film of the year. The comedy-drama played a significant role in elevating his stardom.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aravind |first1=C. V. |title=Sathyan Anthikad and Lal Jose: Winning the hearts of the Malayalam 'family' audience |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/sathyan-anthikad-and-lal-jose-winning-hearts-malayalam-family-audience-64648 |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[The News Minute]] |date=4 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=21 December 2016|title=The Hindu : 'Meesa Madhavan'|website=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2002/10/25/stories/2002102501740200.htm|access-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221002142/http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2002/10/25/stories/2002102501740200.htm|archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref> That same year, he portrayed a hunchback in ''[[Kunjikkoonan]]'' (2002), a box office success.<ref name="TIE1"/> The film earned him a [[Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award|Special Jury Award]] at the [[Kerala State Film Awards]].<ref name="StateAwards">{{cite web |title=State Film Awards |url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards4.htm |website=www.prd.kerala.gov.in |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707210332/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards4.htm |access-date=7 December 2025 |archive-date=7 July 2015 }}</ref> His 2002 comedy ''[[Kalyanaraman (2002 film)|Kalyanaraman]]'' also performed well at the box office. In February 2003, ''[[The Hindu]]'' noted that "the actor who went through a tough period earlier is now considered as the trump card for success in the industry".<ref>{{cite news |last1=G. |first1=Krishnakumar |title=A filmi shot in the arm |url=http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2003/02/15/stories/2003021502360200.htm |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=15 February 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221190650/http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2003/02/15/stories/2003021502360200.htm|archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref> That year, he also debuted in [[Tamil cinema]] with ''[[Raajjiyam]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 March 2012|title=April brings cheer to Tamil film industry – The Times of India|url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/BFB69CAB26ED7A73E5256BB1001949FF|access-date=19 July 2021|website=cscsarchive.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322150013/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/BFB69CAB26ED7A73E5256BB1001949FF|archive-date=22 March 2012}}</ref>
 
In 2003, his comedy ''[[Thilakkam]]'' with Kavya Madhavan was another commercial success.<ref name="sifyKavyaDileep"/> That year, Dileep founded his production house, Graand Productions.<ref name="TIE1"/> It's debut production, ''[[C.I.D. Moosa]]'' (2003), starring himself and directed by [[Johny Antony]], turned out to be a commercial success.<ref name="IT1"/>


In 2002 he won the [[Kerala State Film Award|Kerala State Film Special Jury Award]] for playing the role of Kunjan in the film ''[[Kunjikoonan (2002 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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-12-21|title=The Hindu : 'Meesa Madhavan'|website=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2002/10/25/stories/2002102501740200.htm|access-date=2021-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221002142/http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2002/10/25/stories/2002102501740200.htm|archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref> The same year he also debuted in [[Tamil cinema]] with ''[[Raajjiyam]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-03-22|title=April brings cheer to Tamil film industry - The Times of India|url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/BFB69CAB26ED7A73E5256BB1001949FF|access-date=2021-07-19|website=web.archive.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322150013/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/BFB69CAB26ED7A73E5256BB1001949FF|archive-date=22 March 2012}}</ref> ''[[C.I.D. Moosa]]'' (2003), a slapstick comedy by [[Johny Antony|Johny Anthony]] is considered one of Dileep's career best movies by many fans.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Unforgettable Dectective roles in Mollywood|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/unforgettable-dectective-roles-in-mollywood/photostory/53192868.cms|access-date=2021-07-19|website=The Times of India}}</ref> In 2004, he produced and starred in [[T. V. Chandran]]'s ''[[Kathavasheshan|Kadhavaseshan]]''. He won a [[Kerala State Film Award – Special Mention|Special Mention]] for his performance in ''[[Chanthupottu]]'' (2005).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/dileep-malayalam-actor/awards.html |title=Dileep (Malayalam Actor) Awards & Nominations List |website=FilmiBeat |access-date=4 June 2019 |archive-date=4 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604043021/https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/dileep-malayalam-actor/awards.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2004, his action comedy ''[[Runway (2004 film)|Runway]]'' performed well at the box office.<ref name="sifyKavyaDileep"/> ''[[Rasikan]]'', however, received a lukewarm reception from audiences.<ref name="SifyInterview2005">{{cite web |author1=Moviebuzz |title="I have more enemies than friends": Dileep |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam/interview.php?id=13723260&cid=2406 |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=7 December 2025 |date=21 April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903214123/http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam/interview.php?id=13723260&cid=2406 |archive-date=3 September 2017 }}</ref> [[Priyadarshan]]'s comedy ''[[Vettam]]'' failed commercially but went on to develop a [[cult following]] in later years.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Krishna |first1=Gayathri |title=Vettam re-release: Dileep's all-time favourite comedy film to hit the big screen again soon |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/vettam-re-release-update-dileep-all-time-favourite-comedy-film/16874d7206697 |publisher=[[OTTPlay]] |access-date=7 December 2025 |date=21 August 2024}}</ref> Dileep also ventured into off-beat cinema with the drama ''[[Kathavasheshan]]'' (2004), which he produced as well.<ref name="IT2"/> The film won four Kerala State Film Awards, including [[Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film|Second Best Film]].<ref name="StateAwards"/> It was followed by the tragic drama ''[[Perumazhakkalam]]'' (2004), based on a real incident, in which he played a convict facing a death sentence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Radhakrishnan |first1=Manjusha |title=Nimisha's Yemen pardon debate and the Malayalam classic that predicted this pain and confusion |url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/nimisha-yemen-case-and-the-cost-of-forgiveness-lessons-from-malayalam-classic-perumazhakkalam-led-by-kavya-madhavan-meera-jasmine-and-dileep-1.500214649 |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[Gulf News]] |date=29 July 2025}}</ref> Nonetheless, in a 2005 interview, Dileep stated that he did not intend to move away from slapstick comedies, remarking, "I know my strengths and weaknesses".<ref name="SifyInterview2005"/>


Dileep produced [[Joshiy]]-directed ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]'' (2008) to raise funds for the [[Association of Malayalam Movie Artists]] (AMMA). The film became the highest-grossing Malayalam film ({{INR}} 31.4 crore) until that time.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nair |first=Manoj |title=Malayalam movies: Non-linear narratives are making the box-office ring louder |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/business-of-bollywood/malayalam-movies-non-linear-narratives-are-making-the-box-office-ring-louder/articleshow/8478136.cms |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=21 May 2011 |archive-date=12 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712124221/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/business-of-bollywood/malayalam-movies-non-linear-narratives-are-making-the-box-office-ring-louder/articleshow/8478136.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2005, he starred in the commercially successful action entertainer ''[[Kochi Rajavu]]''.<ref name="SifyInterview2005"/> The same year, he portrayed an effeminate man in Lal Jose' comedy ''[[Chanthupottu]]''. His performance won him a [[Kerala State Film Award – Special Mention|Special Mention]] at the Kerala State Film Awards.<ref name="StateAwards"/> ''[[The Hindu]]'' later highlighted ''Meesha Madhavan'' and ''Chanthupottu'' as "two of the most significant films in Dileep's career".<ref name="TH1"/> In 2006, ''[[Sify.com]]'' described Dileep and Kavya Madhavan as "the most romantic pair in modern times ... the on-screen chemistry between the pair makes them the hottest pair in Malayalam".<ref name="sifyKavyaDileep"/>


===2010–present===
Dileep is known for his belief in astrology and has often aimed to release his films on July 4.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Moviebuzz |title=Dileep's lucky date! |url=http://m.sify.com/movies/dileep-s-lucky-date-news-malayalam-kkfv31jfhjjsi.html |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=7 December 2025 |date=14 June 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318184626/http://m.sify.com/movies/dileep-s-lucky-date-news-malayalam-kkfv31jfhjjsi.html |archive-date=18 March 2018 }}</ref> This practice began with ''Ee Parakkum Thalika'' and continued with ''Meesha Madhavan'', ''C.I.D Moosa'', and ''Pandippada''. Ironically, his film ''[[July 4 (film)|July 4]]'' (2007) missed the date by a day and failed at the box office.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Onmanorama staff |title=Dileep and July 4 connection: Fans trend #GoldenDayOfDileep on Twitter |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/07/04/dileep-july-4-connection-fans-golden-day-of-dileep-on-twitter.html |access-date=7 December 2025 |work=[[OnManorama]] |date=11 December 2020}}</ref> In 2008, he produced the multi-starrer ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]'' on behalf of the [[Association of Malayalam Movie Artists]] (AMMA), featuring almost every actor from the guild. The film became the highest-grossing Malayalam film at that time,<ref name="TH1"/> grossing ₹31.4 crore.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nair |first=Manoj |title=Malayalam movies: Non-linear narratives are making the box-office ring louder |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/business-of-bollywood/malayalam-movies-non-linear-narratives-are-making-the-box-office-ring-louder/articleshow/8478136.cms |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=21 May 2011 |archive-date=12 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712124221/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/business-of-bollywood/malayalam-movies-non-linear-narratives-are-making-the-box-office-ring-louder/articleshow/8478136.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>


He ventured into production with ''[[Malarvaadi Arts Club]]''. ''[[Kaaryasthan]]'' (2010) was his 100th movie,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-11-25|title=Kariyasthan is Dileep's 100th film|url=http://sify.com/movies/karysthan-is-dileep-s-100th-film-news-malayalam-kk5lCWddhdb.html|access-date=2021-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125095434/http://sify.com/movies/karysthan-is-dileep-s-100th-film-news-malayalam-kk5lCWddhdb.html|archive-date=25 November 2010}}</ref> For his role in ''[[Vellaripravinte Changathi]]'' (2011) he won a [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/have-portrayed-role-of-ill-fated-actor-truthfully-dileep-247495 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140727041542/http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/have-portrayed-role-of-ill-fated-actor-truthfully-dileep-247495 |url-status=dead |title=Have portrayed role of ill-fated actor truthfully: Dileep – NDTV |date=27 July 2014 |archive-date=27 July 2014 }}</ref> "[[Two Countries]]" released on Christmas Day 2015, directed by Shafi, became the highest-grossing film in his career.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-03-03|title=ടൂ കണ്‍ട്രീസ് കളക്ഷന്‍ ക്കോര്‍ഡിലേക്ക്|url=http://www.kaumudiplus.com/news.php?nid=b78dd628140aa506c4a6ba55c2256de3&mcid=32&msid=3#.WkkoUSNOlnE|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303100306/http://www.kaumudiplus.com/news.php?nid=b78dd628140aa506c4a6ba55c2256de3&mcid=32&msid=3#.WkkoUSNOlnE|archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> His 2017 film, [[Ramaleela]], became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Dileep's 'Ramaleela' enters 50 crores club - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dileeps-ramaleela-enters-50-crores-club/articleshow/61564289.cms|access-date=2021-07-19|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Soman |first1=Deepa }}</ref>
===2010 – 2019===
In 2010 and 2011, Dileep appeared in several commercially successful films, including the comedies ''[[Bodyguard (2010 film)|Bodyguard]]'', ''[[Paappi Appacha]]'', ''[[Kaaryasthan]]'' (his 100th film), ''[[Marykkundoru Kunjaadu]]'' and ''[[China Town (2011 film)|China Town]]'', as well as the action film ''[[Christian Brothers (film)|Christian Brothers]]''.<ref>{{cite news |author1=DHNS |title=Next Malayalam star in the making |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/features/next-malayalam-star-in-the-making-197712.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=12 November 2011}}</ref> He also produced the successful ''[[Malarvadi Arts Club]]'', which marked the debut of [[Vineeth Sreenivasan]] (directorial) and [[Nivin Pauly]].<ref>{{cite news |title='First is always special...' : Nivin Pauly fondly remembers debut film 'Malarvadi Arts Club' |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/nivin-pauly-about-his-debut-film-malarvadi-arts-club-cab477be |access-date=3 December 2025 |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |date=16 July 2024}}</ref> His period drama ''[[Vellaripravinte Changathi]]'' (2011) earned him a [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor]] and was also a commercial success.<ref name="pinneyum"/> He also appeared in ''[[Oral Mathram]]'', a social drama about a missing child, scripted by [[C. V. Balakrishnan]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=P. K. Ajith |title=Memories of another day |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/memories-of-another-day/article2281408.ece |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=21 July 2011}}</ref>


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 titular role along with Urvashi.  
In 2012, Dileep's films collectively grossed ₹32.7 crore—the highest for any Malayalam actor that year. The year began with the failure of ''[[Spanish Masala]]'', but ''[[Mayamohini]]'' became his highest grosser of the year. While ''[[Arike (film)|Arike]]'' underperformed, ''[[My Boss]]'' was a commercial success, and ''[[Mr. Marumakan]]'' recovered its investment.<ref>{{cite news |author1=TNN |title=Meet the top five show stealers of 2012 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/meet-the-top-five-show-stealers-of-2012/articleshow/17598509.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=10 January 2017}}</ref> Assessing the 2013 box office, ''[[The Hindu]]'' observed that "the unquestioned hero of the masses was Dileep ... some [films] were downright crass but they made the box office ring". The comedies ''[[Sound Thoma]]'' and ''[[Sringaravelan]]'' were his major theatrical successes, while ''[[Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath|Kammath and Kammath]]'', ''[[Nadodimannan]]'', and ''[[Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal]]'' turned profitable after accounting for satellite-rights revenue. Dileep remarked that "I am confused. If my films run, they are branded as brainless entertainers and if they fail to perform well, I am asked if I have lost my popularity!".<ref>{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Vijay |title=Three's company |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/threes-company/article5503908.ece |access-date=3 December 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=26 December 2013}}</ref>
The film was originally scheduled for a theatrical release but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
<ref>{{Cite web|date=31 December 2021|title= KESHU EE VEEDINTE NADHAN REVIEW : FORTUNE FAVOURS THE GOOD|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/malayalam/keshu-ee-veedinte-nadhan/ottmoviereview/88599860.cms|url-status=live|access-date=5 January 2022|website=Times of India|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230222608/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/malayalam/keshu-ee-veedinte-nadhan/ottmoviereview/88599860.cms |archive-date=30 December 2021 }}</ref>


==Personal life==
In 2014, Rafi-directed ''[[Ring Master]]'' received mixed reviews but performed well commercially.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gauri |first1=Deepa |title=Ring Master receives mixed response |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/ring-master-receives-mixed-response |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Khaleej Times]]}}</ref> It was followed by ''[[Villali Veeran]]'', which ''[[Khaleej Times]]'' noted "has not beaten box office records but if reports are to go by, it would not dent the producer’s pockets."<ref>{{cite news |title=Villali Veeran: A vintage Dileep movie |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/villali-veeran-a-vintage-dileep-movie |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Khaleej Times]] |date=9 October 2014}}</ref> That year, when ''[[The Hindu]]'' asked why his films "seldom get good reviews and mostly play to the gallery", Dileep replied that he prefers box office success over reviews.<ref>{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Vijay |title=The people's hero |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/interview-with-actor-dileep-on-how-he-rose-above-personal-challenges-to-star-in-joshiys-avatharam/article6267650.ece |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=31 July 2014}}</ref> Similarly, ''[[Onmanorama]]'' observed that "it's an undeniable fact that the Dileep brand has grown to be the most salable entertainment product in the Malayalam entertainment market".<ref>{{cite news |last1=K. |first1=Padmakumar |title=Avatharam: For a crime that never thrills |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/avatharam-for-a-crime-that-never-thrills.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Onmanorama.com]] |date=4 August 2014}}</ref>
 
After the failure of ''[[Ivan Maryadaraman]]'' (2015), a remake of [[Maryada Ramanna|a Telugu film]], Dileep announced that he was "done with remakes", stating that he would prefer original scripts "instead of wasting my time with remakes".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sidhardhan |first1=Sanjith |title=I'm done with remakes: Dileep |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/im-done-with-remakes-dileep/articleshow/49454037.cms |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=20 October 2015}}</ref> His immediate release ''[[Chandrettan Evideya]]'' was a commercial success, but the subsequent films ''[[Love 24x7]]'' and ''[[Life of Josutty]]'' "could not woo the box office in a major way".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nagarajan |first1=Saraswathy |title=The hero of the masses |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/dileep-on-being-an-entertainer/article7996151.ece |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=17 December 2015}}</ref> The year concluded with ''[[Two Countries]]'', which became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films till then.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Onmanorama staff |title=Dileep's 'Two Countries' to enter Rs 50 crore club |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/two-countries-movie-dileep-mamtha-box-office-collection-50-crore-club.html |access-date=3 December 2025 |work=[[OnManorama]] |date=2 February 2016}}</ref> He followed it with another commercial success, the slapstick comedy ''[[King Liar]]'' (2016).<ref>{{cite news |author1=Onmanorama staff |title=Top 10 highest grossing Mollywood movies of 2016 |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/highest-grossing-malayalam-movies-of-2016.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[OnManorama]] |date=5 December 2015}}</ref> He paired with Kavya Madhavan in [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]]'s drama ''[[Pinneyum]]''.<ref name="pinneyum">{{cite news |title=Dileep on working with Adoor Gopalakrishnan and his choice of roles |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/%E2%80%98My-biggest-rivals-are-my-previous-films%E2%80%99/article14576149.ece |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=18 August 2016}}</ref> Sundar Das' ''[[Welcome to Central Jail]]'', arrived alongside five other films, with ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' noting that "all the six films recorded good collection during the [[Onam]] days".<ref>{{cite news |author1=Express News Service |title=Onam releases garner decent collections at the box office |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2016/Sep/19/onam-releases-garner-decent-collections-at-the-box-office-1522323.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=19 September 2016}}</ref>
 
Dileep's first release of 2017 was ''[[Georgettan's Pooram]]'', a [[kabaddi]]-themed sports drama, which ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' described as "an above average family entertainer".<ref>{{cite news |last1=K. S. |first1=Aravind |title=Georgettan's Pooram movie review: Light like a festival|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/020417/georgettans-pooram-movie-review-light-like-a-festival.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |date=2 April 2017}}</ref> He followed it with ''[[Ramaleela]]'', a political thriller directed by debutant Arun Gopy, in which he played a politician on the run. Released during his [[judicial custody]], the film opened to positive reviews,<ref>{{cite news |last1=E. |first1=Anagha Jayan |title=Dileep's 'Janapriyan' tag is well-earned: Prayaga Martin |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2017/09/30/parayaga-martin-and-shajohn-on-dileep-ramaleela-movie-controversies.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[OnManorama]] |date=30 September 2017}}</ref> and became his second film to gross above ₹50 crore after ''Two Countries''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Dileep's 'Ramaleela' enters 50 crores club|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dileeps-ramaleela-enters-50-crores-club/articleshow/61564289.cms|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Soman |first1=Deepa }}</ref> He next appeared in ''[[Kammara Sambhavam]]'' (2018). The period thriller centred on the contested legacy of Kammaran during the freedom struggle.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kurup |first1=Akash |title=Kammara Sambhavam starts streaming on Jio Cinema |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/kammara-sambhavam-starts-streaming-on-jio-cinema-/504 |publisher=[[OTTPlay]] |access-date=3 December 2025}}</ref>
 
In ''[[Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel]]'' (2019), he portrayed a lawyer with a stammer. The film was a commercial success.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Onmanorama staff |title=Dileep-Kavya dine out, pics go viral |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2019/03/21/dileep-kavya-new-pics-viral-at-restaurant.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Onmanorama.com]] |date=11 December 2020}}</ref> A tonal shift followed with ''[[Subharathri]]'', where Dileep played a key supporting role; the drama-thriller received positive reviews, particularly for his performance.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Onmanorama staff |title=Dileep fought back tears while filming Shubharathri climax |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2019/07/08/dileep-shooting-for-shubharathri-movie-with-siddique.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Onmanorama.com]] |date=11 December 2020}}</ref> He subsequently co-starred with [[Arjun Sarja]] in the action film ''[[Jack & Daniel]]'', which reviewer [[Anna M. M. Vetticad]] described as "silly, unoriginal but tolerable timepass".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vetticad |first1=Anna M. M. |title=Jack & Daniel movie review: Dileep-Arjun Sarja team up for some silly, unoriginal but tolerable timepass |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/jack-daniel-movie-review-dileep-arjun-sarja-team-up-for-some-silly-unoriginal-but-tolerable-timepass-7661041.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Firstpost]] |date=16 November 2019}}</ref> His Christmas film ''[[My Santa (film)|My Santa]]'' earned positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Zoom TV Digital |title=[VIRAL VIDEO] Dileep and Manju Warrier's daughter Meenakshi rocks at Nadirshah's daughter's wedding |url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/malayalam-cinema/article/viral-video-dileep-and-manju-warriers-daughter-meenakshi-rocks-at-nadirshahs-family-wedding/719408 |publisher=[[Zoom (Indian TV channel)|Zoom]] |access-date=3 December 2025 |date=12 February 2021}}</ref>
 
===2020 – present===
Between 2020 and 2022, Dileep had no major theatrical releases apart from ''[[Thattassery Koottam]]'', which he produced and appeared in briefly. His 2021 film ''[[Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan]]'', directed by longtime friend [[Nadirshah]], premiered directly on [[Disney+ Hotstar]]. In the comedy-drama, he played an elderly man who wins a lottery, a film ''[[Moneycontrol.com]]'' described as part of a "comedy that goes beyond language".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lakhe |first1=Manisha |title='Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan' Review: A funny Take On Families And Lottery Money |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/entertainment/keshu-ee-veedinte-nadhan-review-a-funny-take-on-families-and-lottery-money-7889431.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Moneycontrol.com]] |date=1 January 2022}}</ref>
 
In 2023, he produced and co-starred in with [[Joju George]] in ''[[Voice of Sathyanathan]]''. Despite unfavourable reviews, it grossed over ₹23 crore in four weeks.<ref>{{cite news |author1=ETimes.in |title='Voice of Sathyanathan' box office collections: Dileep starrer crosses Rs 23 crores |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/box-office/voice-of-sathyanathan-box-office-collections-dileep-starrer-crosses-rs-23-crores/articleshow/102912115.cms |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=21 August 2023}}</ref> He stars in Gun Gopy-directed ''[[Bandra (film)|Bandra]]'' which incurred loss and received widespread negative reviews, with the producer alleging [[review bombing]].<ref>{{cite news |title='Bandra' negative reviews: Production company approaches court, seeks action against 7 YouTubers |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/-bandra-negative-reviews-producers-demand-action-against-7-youtubers-3e7128fe |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |date=16 November 2023}}</ref> In 2024, Dileep starred in ''[[Thankamani (film)|Thankamani]]'', a crime thriller based on a 1986 incident, which failed critically and commercially.<ref>{{cite news |author1=TOI Entertainment Desk |title=Dileep's 'Thankamani' disappoints at box office with final collections of just Rs 4.57 crores |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dileeps-thankamani-disappoints-at-box-office-with-final-collections-of-just-rs-4-57-crores/articleshow/108780194.cms |access-date=3 December 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=26 March 2024}}</ref> He then produced and acted in ''[[Pavi Caretaker]]'', described by ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' as reminiscent of his earlier slapstick roles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Srinivasan |first1=Latha |title=Pavi Caretaker review: Dileep's slapstick comedy will appeal strictly to his fans |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/pavi-caretaker-review-dileep-s-slapstick-comedy-will-appeal-strictly-to-his-fans-101714209304107.html |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=27 April 2024}}</ref>
 
In ''[[Prince and Family]]'' (2025), he played a modest man whose life takes a turn after marrying a spirited social media influencer. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film became a box office success.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Filmfare |title=Dileep On The Controversy That Rocked His Career: "The Day Will Come When I Can Tell My Side" |url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/south/dileep-on-the-controversy-that-rocked-his-career-the-day-will-come-when-i-can-tell-my-side-73846.html |publisher=[[Filmfare]] |access-date=2 December 2025 |date=14 May 2025}}</ref> His forthcoming release is ''[[Bha Bha Ba]]'', in which he stars alongside [[Vineeth Sreenivasan]] and [[Dhyan Sreenivasan]].
 
== Personal life ==
[[File:Dileep manju.jpg|thumb|Dileep with Manju Warrier attending a function]]
[[File:Dileep manju.jpg|thumb|Dileep with Manju Warrier attending a function]]
Dileep married actress [[Manju Warrier]] on 20 October 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 August 2017|title=This is shocking. Dileep was married to another woman before Manju Warrier?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/manju-warrier-was-not-dileep-first-wife-kavya-madhavan-1027758-2017-08-03|url-status=live|access-date=26 June 2021|website=India Today|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626101049/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/manju-warrier-was-not-dileep-first-wife-kavya-madhavan-1027758-2017-08-03 |archive-date=26 June 2021 }}</ref> The couple have a daughter born in 2000.<ref name=":0" /> In July 2014, the couple filed for divorce which was granted on 31 January 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|first=|others=Press Trust of India|date=31 January 2015|title=Actors Dileep, Manju Warrier separate|work=Business Standard|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/actors-dileep-manju-warrier-separate-115013100640_1.html|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref> On 25 November 2016, Dileep married actress [[Kavya Madhavan]].<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{cite web|date=25 November 2016|title=Dileep and Kavya Madhavan get married in a private ceremony, watch video and pics|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/dileep-warrier-kavya-madhavan-wedding-watch-video-see-pics-4394125/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220220044/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/dileep-warrier-kavya-madhavan-wedding-watch-video-see-pics-4394125/|archive-date=20 December 2016|access-date=12 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/08/03/manju-warrier-not-dileep-first-wife-kavya-madhavan.html |title=Marital maze: Manju Warrier was not Dileep's first wife, say TV reports |work=The Malayala Manorama |date=8 August 2017 |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131124/https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/08/03/manju-warrier-not-dileep-first-wife-kavya-madhavan.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">[https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dileep-kavya-madhavan-expecting-first-child-5343723/ Dileep and Kavya Madhavan expecting their first child] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017234123/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dileep-kavya-madhavan-expecting-first-child-5343723/ |date=17 October 2018 }}. The Indian Express (6 September 2018). Retrieved 21 September 2018.</ref> The couple have a daughter born in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dileep-kavya-madhavan-baby-girl-5408443/ |title=Kavya Madhavan and Dileep welcome a baby girl |date=19 October 2018 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-date=5 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105221847/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dileep-kavya-madhavan-baby-girl-5408443/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Dileep married actress [[Manju Warrier]] on 20 October 1998; their daughter, Meenakshi, was born in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 August 2017|title=This is shocking. Dileep was married to another woman before Manju Warrier?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/manju-warrier-was-not-dileep-first-wife-kavya-madhavan-1027758-2017-08-03|url-status=live|access-date=26 June 2021|website=India Today|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626101049/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/manju-warrier-was-not-dileep-first-wife-kavya-madhavan-1027758-2017-08-03 |archive-date=26 June 2021 }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In July 2014, the couple filed for divorce which was granted on 31 January 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|date=31 January 2015|title=Actors Dileep, Manju Warrier separate|work=Business Standard|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/actors-dileep-manju-warrier-separate-115013100640_1.html|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref> Their daughter stays with Dileep.<ref name="daughter"/> On 25 November 2016, Dileep married actress [[Kavya Madhavan]].<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{cite web|date=25 November 2016|title=Dileep and Kavya Madhavan get married in a private ceremony, watch video and pics|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/dileep-warrier-kavya-madhavan-wedding-watch-video-see-pics-4394125/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220220044/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/dileep-warrier-kavya-madhavan-wedding-watch-video-see-pics-4394125/|archive-date=20 December 2016|access-date=12 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/08/03/manju-warrier-not-dileep-first-wife-kavya-madhavan.html |title=Marital maze: Manju Warrier was not Dileep's first wife, say TV reports |work=The Malayala Manorama |date=8 August 2017 |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131124/https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/08/03/manju-warrier-not-dileep-first-wife-kavya-madhavan.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">[https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dileep-kavya-madhavan-expecting-first-child-5343723/ Dileep and Kavya Madhavan expecting their first child] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017234123/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dileep-kavya-madhavan-expecting-first-child-5343723/ |date=17 October 2018 }}. The Indian Express (6 September 2018). Retrieved 21 September 2018.</ref> The couple have a daughter born in 2018.<ref name="daughter">{{Cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dileep-kavya-madhavan-baby-girl-5408443/ |title=Kavya Madhavan and Dileep welcome a baby girl |date=19 October 2018 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-date=5 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105221847/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dileep-kavya-madhavan-baby-girl-5408443/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Off-screen work==
== Other activities ==
Besides acting and film production, Dileep is also involved in film distribution (through [[Graand Production]]) and [[Movie theater|exhibition]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}} He owns the [[Multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex theater]] complex D Cinemaas situated in [[Chalakudy]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}} He along with his friend [[Nadirshah]] founded the [[restaurant chain]] Dhe Puttu, they have restaurants in [[Kochi]], [[Kozhikode]], [[Qatar]] and [[Dubai]].<ref>{{cite news |last=James |first=Anu |title=Dileep to get his passport back; actor to visit Dubai for Dhe Puttu launch |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/dileep-get-his-passport-back-actor-visit-dubai-dhe-puttu-launch-750211 |access-date=6 February 2019 |work=[[International Business Times]] |date=21 November 2017 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015339/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/dileep-get-his-passport-back-actor-visit-dubai-dhe-puttu-launch-750211 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Dileep owned the [[Multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex theater]] complex D Cinemaas situated in [[Chalakudy]] when it opened in December 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-12-19 |title=Dileep's own multiplex D Cinemaas opens in Chalakkudy |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dileeps-own-multiplex-d-cinemaas-opens-in-chalakkudy/articleshow/45573312.cms |access-date=2025-05-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Dileep owns Dhe Puttu, a restaurant chain with branches in Kerala and the [[Middle East]].<ref name="TIE1"/>


== Sexual Assault case ==
== Media image ==
On 28 June 2017, Dileep was interrogated by the [[Kerala Police]] in connection with the abduction and [[sexual assault]] of actress [[Bhavana (actress)|Bhavana]]<!--DO NOT remove name. Read WP:NOTCENSORED and WP:PUBLICFIGURE--> on 17 February 2017.<ref name="WION">{{cite news|author=WION Web Team|title=Bhavana Menon- Dileep sexual assault case: A timeline of events|url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bhavana-menon-dileep-sexual-assault-case-a-timeline-of-events-444194|access-date=3 February 2022|work=[[WION]]|date=12 January 2022}}</ref> On 10 July 2017, Dileep was arrested by the Kerala Police for alleged conspiracy, and was remanded by the court.<ref>{{cite web|last=Philip|first=Shaju|date=11 July 2017|title=Kerala actor Dileep arrested on conspiracy charge in actress attack|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/dileep-arrested-live-updates-actress-abduction-case-4744501/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710152415/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/dileep-arrested-live-updates-actress-abduction-case-4744501/|archive-date=10 July 2017|access-date=10 July 2017|work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> Following his arrest, Dileep's membership was revoked by various film organisations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/actor-dileep-expelled-from-amma-after-his-arrest/articleshow/59546651.cms |title=Actor Dileep expelled from AMMA after his arrest |work=The Times of India |date=11 July 2017 |access-date=11 July 2017 |archive-date=12 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712023050/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/actor-dileep-expelled-from-amma-after-his-arrest/articleshow/59546651.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Several political parties protested against Dileep and his business firms were vandalized, including Dhe Puttu restaurant and the [[Multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex theatre]] D Cinemas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/110717/mob-turns-violent-dileeps-business-firms-attacked.html |title=Mob turns violent, Dileep's business firms attacked |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=21 July 2017 |access-date=21 July 2017 |archive-date=20 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720154029/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/110717/mob-turns-violent-dileeps-business-firms-attacked.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 3 October 2017, he was released on conditional bail by the [[Kerala High Court]].<ref>{{cite news|last=K. C.|first=Gopakumar|date=3 October 2017|title=Dileep granted bail in woman actor sexual assault case|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/actor-dileep-granted-bail-in-sexual-assault-case/article19790330.ece|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003230135/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/actor-dileep-granted-bail-in-sexual-assault-case/article19790330.ece|archive-date=3 October 2017|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tactics-delay-trial-dileep-seeks-cbi-probe-malayalam-actor-abduction-case-82974 |title=Tactics to delay trial? Dileep seeks CBI probe in Malayalam actor abduction case |date=13 June 2018 |work=The News Minute |access-date=24 August 2018 |archive-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825041244/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tactics-delay-trial-dileep-seeks-cbi-probe-malayalam-actor-abduction-case-82974 |url-status=live }}</ref>
He was popularly called 'Janapriya Nayakan' (transl. popular hero) by delivering consecutive hits which entertained the audience of all ages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=My Critics Don't Know Me: Actor Dileep |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2015/oct/31/my-critics-dont-know-me-actor-dileep-836767.html |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=The New Indian Express|date=31 October 2015 }}</ref> The 2019 film ''[[Shibu (film)|Shibu]]'' told the story of an ardent fan of Dileep who wants to make a film with him.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ദിലീപ് ആരാധകൻ്റെ കഥ പറയുന്ന 'ഷിബു'; ഉടൻ തീയേറ്ററുകളിലേക്ക് |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/the-story-of-a-dileep-fan-shibu-movie-all-set-for-release/articleshow/66577174.cms |access-date=16 September 2023 |website=Samayam Malayalam |language=ml}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2017/jul/10/here-is-a-timeline-of-events-in-the-malayalam-actress-abduction-case-1626830.html |title=Here is a timeline of events in the Kerala actress abduction case |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=17 July 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417050741/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2017/jul/10/here-is-a-timeline-of-events-in-the-malayalam-actress-abduction-case-1626830.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2019, the [[Government of Kerala]] froze charges against him until the court has given an independent verdict on the case.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/04/09/malayalam-superstar-dileep-actress-abduction-case.html |title=Malayalam superstar Dileep gets relief in abduction case &#124; English Manorama |publisher=English.manoramaonline.com |date=9 April 2019 |access-date=17 July 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417050743/https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/04/09/malayalam-superstar-dileep-actress-abduction-case.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2019, the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] stayed his trial until his plea for footage is considered.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 May 2019|title=Supreme Court stays Dileep's trial in actor sexual assault case|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/supreme-court-stays-dileeps-trial-in-actor-sexual-assault-case/article27028403.ece|url-status=live|access-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107234440/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/supreme-court-stays-dileeps-trial-in-actor-sexual-assault-case/article27028403.ece|archive-date=7 November 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rajagopal|first=Krishnadas|date=30 November 2019|title=Dileep can inspect memory card, but can't have copy: SC|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/dileep-can-inspect-memory-card-but-cant-have-copy-sc/article30121270.ece|url-status=live|access-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202230734/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/dileep-can-inspect-memory-card-but-cant-have-copy-sc/article30121270.ece|archive-date=2 December 2019|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
== Sexual assault case ==
{{ main|2017 Kerala actor assault case}}
On 28 June 2017, Dileep was questioned by the [[Kerala Police]] in connection with the abduction and [[sexual assault]] of actress [[Bhavana (actress)|Bhavana]]<!--DO NOT remove name. Read WP:NOTCENSORED and WP:PUBLICFIGURE--> on 17 February 2017.<ref name="WION">{{cite news|author=WION Web Team|title=Bhavana Menon- Dileep sexual assault case: A timeline of events|url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bhavana-menon-dileep-sexual-assault-case-a-timeline-of-events-444194|access-date=3 February 2022|work=[[WION]]|date=12 January 2022}}</ref> On 10 July 2017, he was arrested on allegations of conspiracy and was remanded by the court.<ref>{{cite web|last=Philip|first=Shaju|date=11 July 2017|title=Kerala actor Dileep arrested on conspiracy charge in actress attack|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/dileep-arrested-live-updates-actress-abduction-case-4744501/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710152415/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/dileep-arrested-live-updates-actress-abduction-case-4744501/|archive-date=10 July 2017|access-date=10 July 2017|work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> Following his arrest, various film organisations revoked his membership.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/actor-dileep-expelled-from-amma-after-his-arrest/articleshow/59546651.cms |title=Actor Dileep expelled from AMMA after his arrest |work=The Times of India |date=11 July 2017 |access-date=11 July 2017 |archive-date=12 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712023050/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/actor-dileep-expelled-from-amma-after-his-arrest/articleshow/59546651.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Protests were held by political parties against Dileep, and his business establishments, including the Dhe Puttu restaurant and the D Cinemaas [[Multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex]], were vandalised.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/110717/mob-turns-violent-dileeps-business-firms-attacked.html |title=Mob turns violent, Dileep's business firms attacked |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=21 July 2017 |access-date=21 July 2017 |archive-date=20 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720154029/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/110717/mob-turns-violent-dileeps-business-firms-attacked.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 3 October 2017, the [[Kerala High Court]] granted him conditional bail.<ref>{{cite news|last=K. C.|first=Gopakumar|date=3 October 2017|title=Dileep granted bail in woman actor sexual assault case|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/actor-dileep-granted-bail-in-sexual-assault-case/article19790330.ece|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003230135/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/actor-dileep-granted-bail-in-sexual-assault-case/article19790330.ece|archive-date=3 October 2017|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In June 2018, Dileep filed a petition in the Kerala High Court alleging that the Kerala Police had deliberately framed him and requesting that the investigation be transferred to the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tactics-delay-trial-dileep-seeks-cbi-probe-malayalam-actor-abduction-case-82974 |title=Tactics to delay trial? Dileep seeks CBI probe in Malayalam actor abduction case |date=13 June 2018 |work=The News Minute |access-date=24 August 2018 |archive-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825041244/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tactics-delay-trial-dileep-seeks-cbi-probe-malayalam-actor-abduction-case-82974 |url-status=live }}</ref>


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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-10 |title=Fresh case against actor Dileep, brother |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/fresh-case-against-actor-dileep-brother-101641754823823.html |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-28 |title=New allegations surface against Dileep: How this can impact sexual assault case |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/new-allegations-surface-against-dileep-how-can-impact-sexual-assault-case-159208 |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> Based on these claims, Kerala police registered a new case against Dileep for conspiracy to assault investigating officers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala police register non-bailable case against actor Dileep |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2022/jan/09/kerala-police-register-non-bailable-case-against-actor-dileep-2404893.html |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> On 7 February 2022, he and others were granted anticipatory bail by [[Kerala High Court]] in conspiracy case.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gopakumar |first=K. C. |date=2022-02-07 |title=Kerala HC grants anticipatory bail to Dileep, others |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-hc-grants-anticipatory-bail-to-dileep-others/article38390958.ece |access-date=2023-01-13 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2017/jul/10/here-is-a-timeline-of-events-in-the-malayalam-actress-abduction-case-1626830.html |title=Here is a timeline of events in the Kerala actress abduction case |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=17 July 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417050741/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2017/jul/10/here-is-a-timeline-of-events-in-the-malayalam-actress-abduction-case-1626830.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In April 2019, the [[Government of Kerala]] froze charges against him until the court had given an independent verdict on the case.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/04/09/malayalam-superstar-dileep-actress-abduction-case.html |title=Malayalam superstar Dileep gets relief in abduction case &#124; English Manorama |publisher=English.manoramaonline.com |date=9 April 2019 |access-date=17 July 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417050743/https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/04/09/malayalam-superstar-dileep-actress-abduction-case.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2019, the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] stayed his trial until his plea for footage was considered.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 May 2019|title=Supreme Court stays Dileep's trial in actor sexual assault case|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/supreme-court-stays-dileeps-trial-in-actor-sexual-assault-case/article27028403.ece|url-status=live|access-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107234440/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/supreme-court-stays-dileeps-trial-in-actor-sexual-assault-case/article27028403.ece|archive-date=7 November 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rajagopal|first=Krishnadas|date=30 November 2019|title=Dileep can inspect memory card, but can't have copy: SC|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/dileep-can-inspect-memory-card-but-cant-have-copy-sc/article30121270.ece|url-status=live|access-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202230734/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/dileep-can-inspect-memory-card-but-cant-have-copy-sc/article30121270.ece|archive-date=2 December 2019|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


== Filmography ==
In December 2021, film director Balachandra Kumar gave an interview to a news channel in which he alleged that he had witnessed conversations—purportedly involving Dileep—about influencing witnesses, harming police officers involved in the investigation, and the alleged possession of the assault video. He also claimed he had audio recordings of these conversations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 January 2022 |title=Fresh case against actor Dileep, brother |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/fresh-case-against-actor-dileep-brother-101641754823823.html |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 December 2021 |title=New allegations surface against Dileep: How this can impact sexual assault case |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/new-allegations-surface-against-dileep-how-can-impact-sexual-assault-case-159208 |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> Based on these claims, Kerala police registered a new case against Dileep for alleged conspiracy to assault investigating officers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala police register non-bailable case against actor Dileep |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2022/jan/09/kerala-police-register-non-bailable-case-against-actor-dileep-2404893.html |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=The New Indian Express|date=9 January 2022 }}</ref> On 7 February 2022, Dileep and others were granted anticipatory bail by Kerala High Court in the case.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gopakumar |first=K. C. |date=7 February 2022 |title=Kerala HC grants anticipatory bail to Dileep, others |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-hc-grants-anticipatory-bail-to-dileep-others/article38390958.ece |access-date=13 January 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
{{Main|Dileep filmography}}
 
The trial, which began on 8 March 2018 at a sessions court in [[Ernakulam]], lasted eight years.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Bar & Bench |title=Kerala actress sexual assault case verdict today: LIVE UPDATES |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/kerala-actress-sexual-assault-case-verdict-today-live-updates |publisher=Bar and Bench|access-date=8 December 2025 |date=8 December 2025}}</ref> On 8 December 2025, the Ernakulam Principal District and Sessions Court delivered its verdict, [[Acquittal|acquitting]] Dileep of all charges.<ref>{{Cite news |author=The Hindu Bureau|date=2025-12-08 |title=Dileep acquitted in Kerala actor rape case; six found guilty |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/dileep-acquitted-in-kerala-actor-rape-case/article70370922.ece |access-date=2025-12-08 |work=[[The Hindu]]|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
 
== Playback singing ==


===Playback singing===
'''Playback singing'''
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 81: Line 116:
|-
|-
|"Theme Music"||''[[Chandranudikkunna Dikhil]]''|| 1999 || S. Ramesan Nair ||[[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
|"Theme Music"||''[[Chandranudikkunna Dikhil]]''|| 1999 || S. Ramesan Nair ||[[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
|-  
|-
|-"Danapadappara"||''[[Randam Bhavam]]''||2001||
|"Onnaam Malakerii"|| ''[[Kalyanaraman (2002 film)|Kalyanaraman]]''|| 2002 || [[Kaithapram Damodaran]] || [[Berny-Ignatius]]
|"Onnaam Malakerii"|| ''[[Kalyanaraman (2002 film)|Kalyanaraman]]''|| 2002 || [[Kaithapram Damodaran]] || [[Berny-Ignatius]]
|-
|-
|"Saare Saare" || ''[[Thilakkam]]'' || 2003 || Kaithapram Damodaran ||[[Kaithapram Damodaran]]
|"Saare Saare" || ''[[Thilakkam]]'' || 2003 || Kaithapram Damodaran ||[[Kaithapram Damodaran]]
|-
|-
| "Manmadanalle" || "[[Inspector Garud]]" ||2007 || ||[[Alex Paul]]
| "Manmadanalle" || ''[[Inspector Garud]]'' ||2007 || ||[[Alex Paul]]
|-
|-
|"Kandaal Njaanoru" || ''[[Sound Thoma]]'' || 2013 || [[Nadirshah]] ||[[Gopi Sunder]]
|"Kandaal Njaanoru" || ''[[Sound Thoma]]'' || 2013 || [[Nadirshah]] ||[[Gopi Sunder]]
|-
|-
|"Ashakoshale Pennundo" || ''[[Sringaravelan]]'' || 2013 || Nadirshah || [[Berny-Ignatius]]  
|"Ashakoshale Pennundo" || ''[[Sringaravelan]]'' || 2013 || Nadirshah || [[Berny-Ignatius]]
|-
|-
|"Naranga Mittayi" || ''[[Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan]]'' || 2022 || Sajesh Hari|| [[Nadirshah]]
|"Naranga Mittayi" || ''[[Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan]]'' || 2022 || Sajesh Hari|| [[Nadirshah]]
|}
|}


==Awards==
== Filmography ==
;[[Kerala State Film Awards]]
{{Main|Dileep filmography}}
<!---♦♦♦ Do not add films here - add them to the filmography article ♦♦♦--->
 
== Awards ==
{{BLP sources section|date=July 2025}}
 
===Kerala State Film Awards===
At the [[Kerala State Film Awards]]:
* 2011: [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] – ''[[Vellaripravinte Changathi]]''<ref name=2000-12>{{cite web|title=State Film Awards (2000–12)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707210332/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards4.htm|archive-date=7 July 2015|url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards4.htm|publisher=[[Kerala State Chalachitra Academy]]|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>
* 2011: [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] – ''[[Vellaripravinte Changathi]]''<ref name=2000-12>{{cite web|title=State Film Awards (2000–12)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707210332/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards4.htm|archive-date=7 July 2015|url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards4.htm|publisher=[[Kerala State Chalachitra Academy]]|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>
* 2005: [[Kerala State Film Award – Special Mention|Special Mention]] – ''[[Chanthupottu]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.in.msn.com/movies/features/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=3664894&page=14 |title=Dileep: 'Chanthupottu' – Malayalam Actor of the Decade |publisher=MSN |date=26 February 2010 |access-date=20 October 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* 2005: [[Kerala State Film Award – Special Mention|Special Mention]] – ''[[Chanthupottu]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.in.msn.com/movies/features/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=3664894&page=14 |title=Dileep: 'Chanthupottu' – Malayalam Actor of the Decade |publisher=MSN |date=26 February 2010 |access-date=20 October 2013 }}{{dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* 2004: [[Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film|Second Best Film]] – ''[[Kathavasheshan]]'' (producer)
* 2004: [[Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film|Second Best Film]] – ''[[Kathavasheshan]]'' (producer)
* 2002: [[Kerala State Film Award (Special Jury Award)|Special Jury Award]] – ''[[Kunjikoonan (2002 film)|Kunjikoonan]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.in.msn.com/southcinemathisdecade/malayalamactor/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=3664894&page=13 |title=Dileep: 'Kunjikoonan' – Malayalam Actor of the Decade |publisher=MSN |date=26 February 2010 |access-date=20 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306130131/http://entertainment.in.msn.com/southcinemathisdecade/malayalamactor/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=3664894&page=13 |archive-date=6 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 2002: [[Kerala State Film Award (Special Jury Award)|Special Jury Award]] – ''[[Kunjikoonan (2002 film)|Kunjikoonan]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.in.msn.com/southcinemathisdecade/malayalamactor/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=3664894&page=13 |title=Dileep: 'Kunjikoonan' – Malayalam Actor of the Decade |publisher=MSN |date=26 February 2010 |access-date=20 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306130131/http://entertainment.in.msn.com/southcinemathisdecade/malayalamactor/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=3664894&page=13 |archive-date=6 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


;[[Filmfare Awards South]]
===Asianet Film Awards===
* 2002: [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam|Best Actor in Malayalam]] – ''[[Meesha Madhavan]]''<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-05-17/news-interviews/27262867_1_film-awards-lal-jose-girish-kasaravalli | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811040901/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-05-17/news-interviews/27262867_1_film-awards-lal-jose-girish-kasaravalli | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 August 2011 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Ajit, Simran bag Filmfare awards | date=17 May 2003}}</ref>
At [[Asianet Film Awards]]:
 
;[[Asianet Film Awards]]
* 2002: Best Actor – ''[[Kunjikoonan (2002 film)|Kunjikoonan]]''
* 2002: Best Actor – ''[[Kunjikoonan (2002 film)|Kunjikoonan]]''
* 2004: Special Jury Award – ''[[Kathavasheshan]]''
* 2004: Special Jury Award – ''[[Kathavasheshan]]''
* 2008: Best Film – ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]''
* 2008: Best Film – ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]''
* 2010: Most Popular Actor – ''Body Guard''  
* 2010: Most Popular Actor – ''Body Guard''
* 2013: Award of Excellence for completing 20 years in Malayalam film industry<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metromatinee.com/news-articles/16th-ujala-asianet-film-awards-2014-winners-list-7548 |title=16th Ujala Asianet Film Awards 2004 |work=Metromatinee |access-date=11 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517014018/http://www.metromatinee.com/news-articles/16th-ujala-asianet-film-awards-2014-winners-list-7548 |archive-date=17 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 2013: Award of Excellence for completing 20 years in Malayalam film industry{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
 
;[[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards]]
* 2001: Best Supporting Actor-Joker
* 2004: Best Actor – Kadhavaseshan
* 2005: Best Actor – ''Chanthupottu''


;[[South Indian International Movie Awards]]
===Kerala Film Critics Association Awards===
* 2014: Best Actor – ''[[Sound Thoma]]''
At [[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards]]:
 
* 2001: Best Supporting Actor, in ''Joker''
;[[Vanitha Film Awards]]
* 2004: Best Actor – ''[[Kadhavaseshan]]''
* 2013: Best Popular Actor
* 2005: Best Actor – ''[[Chanthupottu]]''
 
;Jaihind Film Awards


===Jaihind Film Awards===
* 2010: Most Popular Actor Award
* 2010: Most Popular Actor Award
* 2011: Chalachitra Pratibha Award
* 2011: Chalachitra Pratibha Award
Line 131: Line 166:
* 2014: Most Popular Actor Award
* 2014: Most Popular Actor Award


;Amrita Film Awards
===Other awards===
 
* 2002: [[Filmfare Awards South]], [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam|Best Actor in Malayalam]] – ''[[Meesha Madhavan]]''<ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Ajit-Simran-bag-Filmfare-awards/articleshow/46685961.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811040901/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-05-17/news-interviews/27262867_1_film-awards-lal-jose-girish-kasaravalli | url-status=live | archive-date=11 August 2011 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Ajit, Simran bag Filmfare awards | date=17 May 2003}}</ref>
* 2010: Most Popular Actor Award
* 2010: Amrita Film Awards, Most Popular Actor Award
* 2013: [[Vanitha Film Awards]], Best Popular Actor
* 2014: [[South Indian International Movie Awards]], Best Actor – ''[[Sound Thoma]]''


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
{{commons category|Dileep}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{IMDb name|0226770|name=Dileep}}
* {{IMDb name|0226770|name=Dileep}}


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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Dileep}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
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[[Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:People from Aluva]]
[[Category:People from Aluva]]
[[Category:Actors from Ernakulam district]]
[[Category:South Indian International Movie Awards winners]]
[[Category:South Indian International Movie Awards winners]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Kerala Film Critics Awards winners]]
[[Category:Kerala Film Critics Association Awards winners]]
[[Category:1967 births]]

Latest revision as of 02:18, 13 March 2026


This article is about an Indian actor. For other uses, see Dileep (disambiguation).

Dilieep
Dileep in 2016
Born
Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan

(1967-10-27) 27 October 1967 (age 58)
Edavanakkad, Ernakulam district, Kerala[1]
Alma materMahatma Gandhi University
Occupation
  • Actor
  • producer
  • businessman
Years active1991–present
Works
Full list
Spouse(s)
​
(
m. 1998; div. 2015)
(
m. 2016)
Children2
Awards

Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, known by his moniker Dilieep or Dileep, is an Indian film actor, producer, and entrepreneur who predominantly works in the Malayalam cinema. He has acted in over 150 films and won several awards, including four Kerala State Film Awards and a Filmfare Awards South.

Beginning as a stage mimic, Dileep initially gained attention through the comedy audio series Dhe Maveli Kombathu and the television programmes Comicola and Cinemala on Asianet. He entered films as an assistant director to Kamal, beginning with Vishnulokam (1991), and made his acting debut with a minor role in Kamal's Ennodishtam Koodamo (1992). His first lead role came with Manathe Kottaram (1994), followed by breakthrough roles in Sallapam and Ee Puzhayum Kadannu in 1996, which established him as a bankable actor. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, he became widely known for slapstick comedies, such as Punjabi House (1998), Thenkasipattanam (2000), Darling Darling (2000), Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001), and Ishtam (2001).

The success of Meesha Madhavan (2002) elevated him to stardom and earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam. That year, he also received the Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award for Kunjikoonan, followed by a Special Mention for Chanthupottu (2005). In 2003, he launched his production company Graand Production, debuting with C.I.D. Moosa. He has also appeared in off-beat works such as Kathavaseshan (which he also produced and which won Second Best Film at the state awards) and Perumazhakkalam. In 2008, he produced Twenty:20 on behalf of AMMA, which became the highest-grossing Malayalam film at the time.

Dileep won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for Vellaripravinte Changathi (2011). His later films Two Countries (2015) and Ramaleela (2017) each grossed over ₹50 crore and placed among the higher-grossing Malayalam films of their respective years. Outside films, he owns a multiplex theatre and restaurant chains.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Dileep was born as Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan at Edavanakad in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, to Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam on 27 October 1967.[2][3][4] He is the eldest of three children.[5]

Dileep attended Vidyadhiraja Vidya Bhavan School in Aluva, where he passed the tenth standard in 1985. He then joined the Union Christian College, Aluva, to complete his pre-degree during 1985–1987. Later, he pursued a degree in history from the Maharaja's College, Ernakulam.[6]

It was during the time at Maharaja's College that he began taking impressionist acts seriously.

Career[edit | edit source]

1991–1999: From mimicry to cinema[edit | edit source]

Dileep began performing mimicry on stage after becoming an active member of the troupe Harisree.[4] He later worked with other troupes as well, including Cochin Guinness.[7] In the early to mid-1990s, Dileep, along with Nadirshah, created Dhe Maveli Kombathu, a comedy audio cassette series released annually during Onam. The series, which depicted Mahabali visiting Kerala, became a widespread success. Around the same time, Dileep began appearing on television through Asianet's comedy programmes Comicola and Cinemala.[8][9]

With the support of actor Jayaram, Dileep entered the film industry as an assistant director to filmmaker Kamal, beginning with Vishnulokam (1991). His first task on set was operating the clapperboard for lead actor Mohanlal.[10] He was credited on screen as "Dileep".[11] Although he worked behind the camera, acting had always been his ambition,[12] and he continued assisting Kamal on several films, including Ulladakkam (1991), Champakulam Thachan (1992), and Ghazal (1993).[13] Dileep made his acting debut in a small role in Kamal's Ennodishtam Koodamo (1992) after a scheduled actor failed to appear.[4] He gained further visibility with a supporting role in Sainyam.[14]

Beginning his career with comic supporting parts, Dileep soon transitioned to leading roles that the media later characterised as "friendly, boy-next-door" portrayals. His first breakthrough came in the comedy-drama Manathe Kottaram (1994), in which he starred alongside Nadirshah, Harisree Ashokan, and Khushbu; the film achieved moderate commercial success. He continued in comic roles in films such as Three Men Army and Ezharakkoottam (both 1995)—the latter marking a turning point in his career and helping pave the way for future lead roles.[12]

From 1996 onward, Dileep established himself as a successful leading actor.[4] Impressed by his performance in Ezharakkoottam, director Sundar Das cast him as the lead in the drama Sallapam (1996), also featuring Manju Warrier. The film became a breakthrough for him as a hero and was followed later that year by Ee Puzhayum Kadannu (1996), directed by Kamal and featuring the same lead pair, which was also a commercial success.[12] These films made the onscreen romantic duo popular, and the two would later marry in 1998. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dileep had achieved broad audience appeal, particularly through slapstick comedies. Film trade analyst Sreedhar Pillai observes that Dileep filled the gap in the slapstick-comedy market left by Mohanlal, who had moved away from the genre to focus on other kinds of roles.[15]

He further cemented his bankability with films such as Manthra Mothiram (1997). The 1998 comedy Punjabi House was described in the media as his first "blockbuster".[14] The film also marked the beginning of the comedy duo of Dileep and Harisree Ashokan.[16] The 1999 film Chandranudikkunna Dikkil was Dileep's first collaboration with both Kavya Madhavan[17] and director Lal Jose. Though not a commercial success, the pairing proved successful in their later films.[18]

2000–2009: Stardom[edit | edit source]

Dileep in 2008

His range as an actor gained recognition with Lohithadas' Joker (2000); filmmaker Lal Jose later noted that "the big names in the industry started realising his potential after his work in Lohithadas' Joker".[12] By this time already a bankable lead, Dileep opted for a supporting comedic role in Thenkasipattanam headlined by Suresh Gopi and Lal—a performance that earned him appreciation.[19] The film was also a major commercial success. He continued his success with films such as Darling Darling (2000), Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001), and Ishtam (2001).[19]

In 2002, Dileep starred as a small-town thief in Lal Jose's Meesha Madhavan, which became the highest-grossing film of the year. The comedy-drama played a significant role in elevating his stardom.[20][21] That same year, he portrayed a hunchback in Kunjikkoonan (2002), a box office success.[10] The film earned him a Special Jury Award at the Kerala State Film Awards.[22] His 2002 comedy Kalyanaraman also performed well at the box office. In February 2003, The Hindu noted that "the actor who went through a tough period earlier is now considered as the trump card for success in the industry".[23] That year, he also debuted in Tamil cinema with Raajjiyam.[24]

In 2003, his comedy Thilakkam with Kavya Madhavan was another commercial success.[17] That year, Dileep founded his production house, Graand Productions.[10] It's debut production, C.I.D. Moosa (2003), starring himself and directed by Johny Antony, turned out to be a commercial success.[13]

In 2004, his action comedy Runway performed well at the box office.[17] Rasikan, however, received a lukewarm reception from audiences.[25] Priyadarshan's comedy Vettam failed commercially but went on to develop a cult following in later years.[26] Dileep also ventured into off-beat cinema with the drama Kathavasheshan (2004), which he produced as well.[4] The film won four Kerala State Film Awards, including Second Best Film.[22] It was followed by the tragic drama Perumazhakkalam (2004), based on a real incident, in which he played a convict facing a death sentence.[27] Nonetheless, in a 2005 interview, Dileep stated that he did not intend to move away from slapstick comedies, remarking, "I know my strengths and weaknesses".[25]

In 2005, he starred in the commercially successful action entertainer Kochi Rajavu.[25] The same year, he portrayed an effeminate man in Lal Jose' comedy Chanthupottu. His performance won him a Special Mention at the Kerala State Film Awards.[22] The Hindu later highlighted Meesha Madhavan and Chanthupottu as "two of the most significant films in Dileep's career".[12] In 2006, Sify.com described Dileep and Kavya Madhavan as "the most romantic pair in modern times ... the on-screen chemistry between the pair makes them the hottest pair in Malayalam".[17]

Dileep is known for his belief in astrology and has often aimed to release his films on July 4.[28] This practice began with Ee Parakkum Thalika and continued with Meesha Madhavan, C.I.D Moosa, and Pandippada. Ironically, his film July 4 (2007) missed the date by a day and failed at the box office.[29] In 2008, he produced the multi-starrer Twenty:20 on behalf of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), featuring almost every actor from the guild. The film became the highest-grossing Malayalam film at that time,[12] grossing ₹31.4 crore.[30]

2010 – 2019[edit | edit source]

In 2010 and 2011, Dileep appeared in several commercially successful films, including the comedies Bodyguard, Paappi Appacha, Kaaryasthan (his 100th film), Marykkundoru Kunjaadu and China Town, as well as the action film Christian Brothers.[31] He also produced the successful Malarvadi Arts Club, which marked the debut of Vineeth Sreenivasan (directorial) and Nivin Pauly.[32] His period drama Vellaripravinte Changathi (2011) earned him a Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor and was also a commercial success.[33] He also appeared in Oral Mathram, a social drama about a missing child, scripted by C. V. Balakrishnan.[34]

In 2012, Dileep's films collectively grossed ₹32.7 crore—the highest for any Malayalam actor that year. The year began with the failure of Spanish Masala, but Mayamohini became his highest grosser of the year. While Arike underperformed, My Boss was a commercial success, and Mr. Marumakan recovered its investment.[35] Assessing the 2013 box office, The Hindu observed that "the unquestioned hero of the masses was Dileep ... some [films] were downright crass but they made the box office ring". The comedies Sound Thoma and Sringaravelan were his major theatrical successes, while Kammath and Kammath, Nadodimannan, and Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal turned profitable after accounting for satellite-rights revenue. Dileep remarked that "I am confused. If my films run, they are branded as brainless entertainers and if they fail to perform well, I am asked if I have lost my popularity!".[36]

In 2014, Rafi-directed Ring Master received mixed reviews but performed well commercially.[37] It was followed by Villali Veeran, which Khaleej Times noted "has not beaten box office records but if reports are to go by, it would not dent the producer’s pockets."[38] That year, when The Hindu asked why his films "seldom get good reviews and mostly play to the gallery", Dileep replied that he prefers box office success over reviews.[39] Similarly, Onmanorama observed that "it's an undeniable fact that the Dileep brand has grown to be the most salable entertainment product in the Malayalam entertainment market".[40]

After the failure of Ivan Maryadaraman (2015), a remake of a Telugu film, Dileep announced that he was "done with remakes", stating that he would prefer original scripts "instead of wasting my time with remakes".[41] His immediate release Chandrettan Evideya was a commercial success, but the subsequent films Love 24x7 and Life of Josutty "could not woo the box office in a major way".[42] The year concluded with Two Countries, which became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films till then.[43] He followed it with another commercial success, the slapstick comedy King Liar (2016).[44] He paired with Kavya Madhavan in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's drama Pinneyum.[33] Sundar Das' Welcome to Central Jail, arrived alongside five other films, with The New Indian Express noting that "all the six films recorded good collection during the Onam days".[45]

Dileep's first release of 2017 was Georgettan's Pooram, a kabaddi-themed sports drama, which Deccan Chronicle described as "an above average family entertainer".[46] He followed it with Ramaleela, a political thriller directed by debutant Arun Gopy, in which he played a politician on the run. Released during his judicial custody, the film opened to positive reviews,[47] and became his second film to gross above ₹50 crore after Two Countries.[48] He next appeared in Kammara Sambhavam (2018). The period thriller centred on the contested legacy of Kammaran during the freedom struggle.[49]

In Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel (2019), he portrayed a lawyer with a stammer. The film was a commercial success.[50] A tonal shift followed with Subharathri, where Dileep played a key supporting role; the drama-thriller received positive reviews, particularly for his performance.[51] He subsequently co-starred with Arjun Sarja in the action film Jack & Daniel, which reviewer Anna M. M. Vetticad described as "silly, unoriginal but tolerable timepass".[52] His Christmas film My Santa earned positive reviews.[53]

2020 – present[edit | edit source]

Between 2020 and 2022, Dileep had no major theatrical releases apart from Thattassery Koottam, which he produced and appeared in briefly. His 2021 film Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan, directed by longtime friend Nadirshah, premiered directly on Disney+ Hotstar. In the comedy-drama, he played an elderly man who wins a lottery, a film Moneycontrol.com described as part of a "comedy that goes beyond language".[54]

In 2023, he produced and co-starred in with Joju George in Voice of Sathyanathan. Despite unfavourable reviews, it grossed over ₹23 crore in four weeks.[55] He stars in Gun Gopy-directed Bandra which incurred loss and received widespread negative reviews, with the producer alleging review bombing.[56] In 2024, Dileep starred in Thankamani, a crime thriller based on a 1986 incident, which failed critically and commercially.[57] He then produced and acted in Pavi Caretaker, described by Hindustan Times as reminiscent of his earlier slapstick roles.[58]

In Prince and Family (2025), he played a modest man whose life takes a turn after marrying a spirited social media influencer. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film became a box office success.[59] His forthcoming release is Bha Bha Ba, in which he stars alongside Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan.

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Dileep with Manju Warrier attending a function

Dileep married actress Manju Warrier on 20 October 1998; their daughter, Meenakshi, was born in 2000.[60][61] In July 2014, the couple filed for divorce which was granted on 31 January 2015.[62] Their daughter stays with Dileep.[63] On 25 November 2016, Dileep married actress Kavya Madhavan.[64][65][61] The couple have a daughter born in 2018.[63]

Other activities[edit | edit source]

Dileep owned the multiplex theater complex D Cinemaas situated in Chalakudy when it opened in December 2014.[66] Dileep owns Dhe Puttu, a restaurant chain with branches in Kerala and the Middle East.[10]

Media image[edit | edit source]

He was popularly called 'Janapriya Nayakan' (transl. popular hero) by delivering consecutive hits which entertained the audience of all ages.[67] The 2019 film Shibu told the story of an ardent fan of Dileep who wants to make a film with him.[68]

Sexual assault case[edit | edit source]

Main article: 2017 Kerala actor assault case

On 28 June 2017, Dileep was questioned by the Kerala Police in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of actress Bhavana on 17 February 2017.[69] On 10 July 2017, he was arrested on allegations of conspiracy and was remanded by the court.[70] Following his arrest, various film organisations revoked his membership.[71] Protests were held by political parties against Dileep, and his business establishments, including the Dhe Puttu restaurant and the D Cinemaas multiplex, were vandalised.[72] On 3 October 2017, the Kerala High Court granted him conditional bail.[73] In June 2018, Dileep filed a petition in the Kerala High Court alleging that the Kerala Police had deliberately framed him and requesting that the investigation be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).[74]

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.[75] In April 2019, the Government of Kerala froze charges against him until the court had given an independent verdict on the case.[76] In May 2019, the Supreme Court stayed his trial until his plea for footage was considered.[77] 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.[78]

In December 2021, film director Balachandra Kumar gave an interview to a news channel in which he alleged that he had witnessed conversations—purportedly involving Dileep—about influencing witnesses, harming police officers involved in the investigation, and the alleged possession of the assault video. He also claimed he had audio recordings of these conversations.[79][80] Based on these claims, Kerala police registered a new case against Dileep for alleged conspiracy to assault investigating officers.[81] On 7 February 2022, Dileep and others were granted anticipatory bail by Kerala High Court in the case.[82]

The trial, which began on 8 March 2018 at a sessions court in Ernakulam, lasted eight years.[83] On 8 December 2025, the Ernakulam Principal District and Sessions Court delivered its verdict, acquitting Dileep of all charges.[84]

Playback singing[edit | edit source]

Playback singing

Song Film Year Lyrics Composer
"Theme Music" Chandranudikkunna Dikhil 1999 S. Ramesan Nair Vidyasagar
"Onnaam Malakerii" Kalyanaraman 2002 Kaithapram Damodaran Berny-Ignatius
"Saare Saare" Thilakkam 2003 Kaithapram Damodaran Kaithapram Damodaran
"Manmadanalle" Inspector Garud 2007 Alex Paul
"Kandaal Njaanoru" Sound Thoma 2013 Nadirshah Gopi Sunder
"Ashakoshale Pennundo" Sringaravelan 2013 Nadirshah Berny-Ignatius
"Naranga Mittayi" Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan 2022 Sajesh Hari Nadirshah

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Main article: Dileep filmography

Awards[edit | edit source]

Kerala State Film Awards[edit | edit source]

At the Kerala State Film Awards:

Asianet Film Awards[edit | edit source]

At Asianet Film Awards:

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards[edit | edit source]

At Kerala Film Critics Association Awards:

Jaihind Film Awards[edit | edit source]

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

Other awards[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "കണ്ണ് റഞ്ഞ് കോളേജിന്റെ പടികൾ ഇറങ്ങിയ ദിലീപ് | Dileep | Interview | G S Pradeep |" (in മലയാളം). Kairali TV. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "Suresh Gopi, Tamannaah Bhatia, and other celebs extend birthday wishes to Dileep". The Times of India. 27 October 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "Makers of 'Thankamani' drop the second look poster on Dileep's birthday". The Times of India. 27 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Jacob, Jeemon (2 February 2022). "The rise and fall of Dileep". India Today. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "Dileep – Malayalam celebrities the stories and the gossips". movies.deepthi.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2008.
  6. ↑ "Dileep – Career, productions, latest movies and awards by actor Dileep Photos". Zonkerala.com. 27 October 1967. Archived from the original on 13 September 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  7. ↑ പഴേരി, അജ്മൽ (30 June 2024). "'എനിക്കും വേണം ഗിന്നസ് റെക്കോഡ്' 'അതിന് നിനക്ക് എന്ത് കഴിവാണുള്ളത്?'" (in മലയാളം). Grihalakshmi. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  8. ↑ George, Anubha (12 February 2019). "Why mimicry artists are bigger (and better) in Kerala than anywhere else in India". Scroll.in. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "An Onam sans Dileep: Mollywood stares at another first". Malayala Manorama. 29 August 2017. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Philip, Shaju (16 January 2022). "The Sunday Profile: Dileep, Hero in trouble". The Indian Express. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "Vishnulokam Malayalam Full Movie | Mohanlal | Santhi Krishna | Urvashi | Kamal | Raveendran |". YouTube. Malayalam Latest Movies. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 George, Vijay (4 November 2010). "Charging forward". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 India Today Web Desk (12 July 2017). "Kerala actress abduction: Dileep's rise from a mimic to a powerful force in Mollywood, before his fall". India Today. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Express News Service (31 October 2015). "My Critics Don't Know Me: Actor Dileep". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  15. ↑ Pillai, Sreedhar (11 July 2017). "Stardom to Jail Inmate: The Rise & Fall of Malayalam Actor Dileep". The Quint. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  16. ↑ മേനോൻ, ശ്രീലക്ഷ്മി (4 July 2020). "ജൂലെെ നാല്: മെഗാ ഹിറ്റായ നാല് ചിത്രങ്ങളും കൂട്ടുകെട്ടും, ഹരിശ്രീ അശോകൻ പറയുന്നു". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Moviebuzz (8 January 2006). "Dileep-Kavya in New Zealand!". Sify. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  18. ↑ "Dileep and I had differences; our film suffered because of the hit movie, reveals Lal Jose". Mathrubhumi. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Chandran K. P., Ramesh (12 July 2017). "The rise and fall of Mollywood's people's hero Dileep". OnManorama. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  20. ↑ Aravind, C. V. (4 July 2017). "Sathyan Anthikad and Lal Jose: Winning the hearts of the Malayalam 'family' audience". The News Minute. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  21. ↑ "The Hindu : 'Meesa Madhavan'". The Hindu. 21 December 2016. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 "State Film Awards". www.prd.kerala.gov.in. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  23. ↑ G., Krishnakumar (15 February 2003). "A filmi shot in the arm". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  24. ↑ "April brings cheer to Tamil film industry – The Times of India". cscsarchive.org. 22 March 2012. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Moviebuzz (21 April 2005). ""I have more enemies than friends": Dileep". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  26. ↑ Krishna, Gayathri (21 August 2024). "Vettam re-release: Dileep's all-time favourite comedy film to hit the big screen again soon". OTTPlay. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  27. ↑ Radhakrishnan, Manjusha (29 July 2025). "Nimisha's Yemen pardon debate and the Malayalam classic that predicted this pain and confusion". Gulf News. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  28. ↑ Moviebuzz (14 June 2005). "Dileep's lucky date!". Sify. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  29. ↑ Onmanorama staff (11 December 2020). "Dileep and July 4 connection: Fans trend #GoldenDayOfDileep on Twitter". OnManorama. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  30. ↑ Nair, Manoj (21 May 2011). "Malayalam movies: Non-linear narratives are making the box-office ring louder". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  31. ↑ DHNS (12 November 2011). "Next Malayalam star in the making". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  32. ↑ "'First is always special...' : Nivin Pauly fondly remembers debut film 'Malarvadi Arts Club'". Mathrubhumi. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Dileep on working with Adoor Gopalakrishnan and his choice of roles". The Hindu. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  34. ↑ Kumar, P. K. Ajith (21 July 2011). "Memories of another day". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  35. ↑ TNN (10 January 2017). "Meet the top five show stealers of 2012". The Times of India.
  36. ↑ George, Vijay (26 December 2013). "Three's company". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  37. ↑ Gauri, Deepa. "Ring Master receives mixed response". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  38. ↑ "Villali Veeran: A vintage Dileep movie". Khaleej Times. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  39. ↑ George, Vijay (31 July 2014). "The people's hero". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  40. ↑ K., Padmakumar (4 August 2014). "Avatharam: For a crime that never thrills". Onmanorama.com. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  41. ↑ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (20 October 2015). "I'm done with remakes: Dileep". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  42. ↑ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (17 December 2015). "The hero of the masses". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  43. ↑ Onmanorama staff (2 February 2016). "Dileep's 'Two Countries' to enter Rs 50 crore club". OnManorama. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  44. ↑ Onmanorama staff (5 December 2015). "Top 10 highest grossing Mollywood movies of 2016". OnManorama. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  45. ↑ Express News Service (19 September 2016). "Onam releases garner decent collections at the box office". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  46. ↑ K. S., Aravind (2 April 2017). "Georgettan's Pooram movie review: Light like a festival". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  47. ↑ E., Anagha Jayan (30 September 2017). "Dileep's 'Janapriyan' tag is well-earned: Prayaga Martin". OnManorama. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  48. ↑ Soman, Deepa. "Dileep's 'Ramaleela' enters 50 crores club". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  49. ↑ Kurup, Akash. "Kammara Sambhavam starts streaming on Jio Cinema". OTTPlay. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  50. ↑ Onmanorama staff (11 December 2020). "Dileep-Kavya dine out, pics go viral". Onmanorama.com. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  51. ↑ Onmanorama staff (11 December 2020). "Dileep fought back tears while filming Shubharathri climax". Onmanorama.com. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  52. ↑ Vetticad, Anna M. M. (16 November 2019). "Jack & Daniel movie review: Dileep-Arjun Sarja team up for some silly, unoriginal but tolerable timepass". Firstpost. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  53. ↑ Zoom TV Digital (12 February 2021). "[VIRAL VIDEO] Dileep and Manju Warrier's daughter Meenakshi rocks at Nadirshah's daughter's wedding". Zoom. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  54. ↑ Lakhe, Manisha (1 January 2022). "'Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan' Review: A funny Take On Families And Lottery Money". Moneycontrol.com. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  55. ↑ ETimes.in (21 August 2023). "'Voice of Sathyanathan' box office collections: Dileep starrer crosses Rs 23 crores". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  56. ↑ "'Bandra' negative reviews: Production company approaches court, seeks action against 7 YouTubers". Mathrubhumi. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  57. ↑ TOI Entertainment Desk (26 March 2024). "Dileep's 'Thankamani' disappoints at box office with final collections of just Rs 4.57 crores". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  58. ↑ Srinivasan, Latha (27 April 2024). "Pavi Caretaker review: Dileep's slapstick comedy will appeal strictly to his fans". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  59. ↑ Filmfare (14 May 2025). "Dileep On The Controversy That Rocked His Career: "The Day Will Come When I Can Tell My Side"". Filmfare. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  60. ↑ "This is shocking. Dileep was married to another woman before Manju Warrier?". India Today. 3 August 2017. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 Dileep and Kavya Madhavan expecting their first child Archived 17 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine. The Indian Express (6 September 2018). Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  62. ↑ "Actors Dileep, Manju Warrier separate". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 "Kavya Madhavan and Dileep welcome a baby girl". The Indian Express. 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  64. ↑ "Dileep and Kavya Madhavan get married in a private ceremony, watch video and pics". 25 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  65. ↑ "Marital maze: Manju Warrier was not Dileep's first wife, say TV reports". The Malayala Manorama. 8 August 2017. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  66. ↑ "Dileep's own multiplex D Cinemaas opens in Chalakkudy". The Times of India. 19 December 2014. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  67. ↑ "My Critics Don't Know Me: Actor Dileep". The New Indian Express. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  68. ↑ "ദിലീപ് ആരാധകൻ്റെ കഥ പറയുന്ന 'ഷിബു'; ഉടൻ തീയേറ്ററുകളിലേക്ക്". Samayam Malayalam (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  69. ↑ WION Web Team (12 January 2022). "Bhavana Menon- Dileep sexual assault case: A timeline of events". WION. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  70. ↑ Philip, Shaju (11 July 2017). "Kerala actor Dileep arrested on conspiracy charge in actress attack". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  71. ↑ "Actor Dileep expelled from AMMA after his arrest". The Times of India. 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
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  73. ↑ K. C., Gopakumar (3 October 2017). "Dileep granted bail in woman actor sexual assault case". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  74. ↑ "Tactics to delay trial? Dileep seeks CBI probe in Malayalam actor abduction case". The News Minute. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
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  84. ↑ The Hindu Bureau (8 December 2025). "Dileep acquitted in Kerala actor rape case; six found guilty". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
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  88. ↑ "Ajit, Simran bag Filmfare awards". The Times of India. 17 May 2003. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011.

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