Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan,[3] better known by his stage name Dileep, is an Indian actor, producer, comedian and entrepreneur who predominantly works in the Malayalam film industry. He has also acted in Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada films. He has won several awards, including Kerala State Film Awards and one Filmfare Awards South.[4]

Dileep
Dileep in 2016
Born
Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan[1]

(1967-10-27) 27 October 1967 (age 57)
EducationBA, Mahatma Gandhi University
Occupations
  • Film actor
  • film producer
  • businessman
Years active1991–present
WorksFull list
Spouses
(m. 1998; div. 2015)
(m. 2016)
Children2
Awards

Beginning as an impressionist in stage shows, Dileep obtained recognition after being cast in the television comedy series Comicola on 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 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 major role as a struggling young man who wants to meet his favourite actress 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 2002 he played the titular role in Meesha Madhavan which became the highest grossing Malayalam film ever at that time and catapulted him into superstardom gaining the moniker “Janapriyanayakan”. In 2003, Dileep founded the film production company Graand Production, its debut film was C.I.D. Moosa.

Outside of films, Dilieep also owns the 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.

Early life and education

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Dileep was born in Edavanakad, Kochi of Kerala, India to Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam on 27 October 1967.[5][6] His father is from travancore and mother is from Kochi.[7] He is the eldest among three children.[8] He has a brother, Anoop, and a sister, Sabitha.[9]

Dileep studied at Vidyadhiraja Vidya Bhavan Higher Secondary School in Aluva, where he passed the tenth standard in 1985, and joined the Union Christian College, Aluva for pre-degree third group, during 1985–1987. Later, he pursued a degree in history at Maharaja's College, Ernakulam.[10]

It was during his time in Maharaja's College that he began taking impressionist acts seriously.[citation needed] Dileep along with his friend Nadirshah produced and performed in the Onam-based audio cassette titled De Maveli Kombathu, which helped his entry into the film industry.[11]

Career

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1991–1999: early years

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Dilieep started his career at Kalabhavan, working as a mimicry artist in the 1980s.[12] He also performed in Asianet's comedy show Comicola. Later, while working as the assistant director to Kamal, he acted in a few small roles, starting with a small scene in Kamal's Ennodu Ishtam Koodamo (1992). Kamal recommended his name to many directors. He started using the name of the role Dileep in Manathe Kottaram (1994), as his screen name. Success of two 1996 films, Kamal's Ee Puzhayum Kadannu and Sundar Das' Sallapam, anchored his place in the Malayalam film industry.[13] 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.[14]

2000–2009: stardom

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Dileep in 2008

Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001) and Kuberan (2002) were a major success at box office and are considered two of the best movies in his career.[15]

In 2002 he won the Kerala State Film Special Jury Award for playing the role of Kunjan in the film Kunjikoonan. In Lal Jose's Meesa Madhavan (2002), Dileep played the role of the thief Madhavan. This movie, which eventually developed a cult following was a major breakthrough in his career as it increased Dileep's stardom to a new level in Malayalam cinema.[16] The same year he also debuted in Tamil cinema with Raajjiyam.[17] C.I.D. Moosa (2003), a slapstick comedy by Johny Anthony is considered one of Dileep's career best movies by many fans.[18] In 2004, he produced and starred in T. V. Chandran's Kadhavaseshan. He won a Special Mention for his performance in Chanthupottu (2005).[citation needed]

Dileep produced Joshiy-directed Twenty:20 (2008) to raise funds for the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The film became the highest-grossing Malayalam film ( 31.4 crore) until that time.[19]

2010–present

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He ventured into production with Malarvaadi Arts Club. Kaaryasthan (2010) was his 100th movie,[20] For his role in Vellaripravinte Changathi (2011) he won a Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.[21] "Two Countries" released on Christmas Day 2015, directed by Shafi, became the highest-grossing film in his career.[22] His 2017 film, Ramaleela, became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.[23]

After a break, in the movie Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan (transl. Keshu is the lord of this house) Dileep comes to the screen in the title role along with Urvashi. The film was originally scheduled for a theatrical release but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India. [24]

Personal life

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Dileep with Manju Warrier attending a function

Dileep married actress Manju Warrier on 20 October 1998; their daughter, Meenakshi, was born in 2000.[25][26] In July 2014, the couple filed for divorce which was granted on 31 January 2015.[27] On 25 November 2016, Dileep married actress Kavya Madhavan.[28][29][26] The couple have a daughter born in 2018.[30]

Off-screen work

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

Media image

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He is popularly called 'Janapriya Nayakan' (transl. popular hero) by delivering consecutive hits which entertained the audience of all ages.[31]

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

Controversies

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On 28 June 2017, Dileep was interrogated by the Kerala Police in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of actress Bhavana on 17 February 2017.[33] On 10 July 2017, Dileep was arrested by the Kerala Police for alleged conspiracy, and was remanded by the court.[34] Following his arrest, Dileep's membership was revoked by various film organisations.[35] Several political parties protested against Dileep and his business firms were vandalized, including Dhe Puttu restaurant and the multiplex theatre D Cinemaas.[36] On 3 October 2017, he was released on conditional bail by the Kerala High Court.[37] 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.[38]

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.[39] In April 2019, the Government of Kerala froze charges against him until the court has given an independent verdict on the case.[40] In May 2019, the Supreme Court stayed his trial until his plea for footage is considered.[41] 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.[42]

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.[43][44] Based on these claims, Kerala police registered a new case against Dileep for conspiracy to assault investigating officers.[45] On 7 February 2022, he and others were granted anticipatory bail by Kerala High Court in conspiracy case.[46] Case against him is put on hold.

Playback singing

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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

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Awards

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Kerala State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Asianet Film Awards
  • 2002: Best Actor – Kunjikoonan
  • 2004: Special Jury Award – Kathavasheshan
  • 2008: Best Film – Twenty:20
  • 2010: Most Popular Actor – Body Guard
  • 2013: Award of Excellence for completing 20 years in Malayalam film industry[51]
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards
  • 2001: Best Supporting Actor-Joker
  • 2004: Best Actor – Kadhavaseshan
  • 2005: Best Actor – Chanthupottu
South Indian International Movie Awards
Vanitha Film Awards
  • 2013: Best Popular Actor
Jaihind Film Awards
  • 2010: Most Popular Actor Award
  • 2011: Chalachitra Pratibha Award
  • 2012: Best Actor – Mayamohini, Arike
  • 2013: Most Popular Actor Award
  • 2014: Most Popular Actor Award
Amrita Film Awards
  • 2010: Most Popular Actor Award

References

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  1. ^ "The rise and fall of Dileep". India Today. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  2. ^ "കണ്ണ് റഞ്ഞ് കോളേജിന്റെ പടികൾ ഇറങ്ങിയ ദിലീപ് | Dileep | Interview | G S Pradeep |" (in Malayalam). Kairali TV. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  3. ^ "The rise and fall of Dileep". India Today. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  4. ^ "The 'Being Human' Salmanification of 'Janapriya Nayakan' Dileep". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 24 August 2018.[dead link]
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "The rise and fall of Dileep". India Today. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Dileep – Malayalam celebrities the stories and the gossips". movies.deepthi.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2008.
  9. ^ "താരങ്ങളുടെ വോട്ടു ആർക്കൊക്കെ?". manoramaonline.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "Nostalgia grips Dileep fans as buddy Nadirshah shares old photo". Malayala Manorama. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  13. ^ "The rise and fall of Mollywood's people's hero Dileep..." Malayala Manorama. 12 July 2017.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Five Dileep-starrer comedy films that could give you instant relief, during stressful self-isolation". The Times of India. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  16. ^ "The Hindu : 'Meesa Madhavan'". The Hindu. 21 December 2016. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "Unforgettable Dectective roles in Mollywood". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "Kariyasthan is Dileep's 100th film". Sify. 25 November 2010. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Have portrayed role of ill-fated actor truthfully: Dileep – NDTV". 27 July 2014. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014.
  22. ^ "ടൂ കണ്‍ട്രീസ് കളക്ഷന്‍ ക്കോര്‍ഡിലേക്ക്". 3 March 2016. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  23. ^ Soman, Deepa. "Dileep's 'Ramaleela' enters 50 crores club". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  24. ^ "KESHU EE VEEDINTE NADHAN REVIEW : FORTUNE FAVOURS THE GOOD". Times of India. 31 December 2021. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  25. ^ "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.
  26. ^ a b 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.
  27. ^ "Actors Dileep, Manju Warrier separate". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ "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.
  30. ^ "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.
  31. ^ "My Critics Don't Know Me: Actor Dileep". The New Indian Express. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  32. ^ "ദിലീപ് ആരാധകൻ്റെ കഥ പറയുന്ന 'ഷിബു'; ഉടൻ തീയേറ്ററുകളിലേക്ക്". Samayam Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  33. ^ WION Web Team (12 January 2022). "Bhavana Menon- Dileep sexual assault case: A timeline of events". WION. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ "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.
  36. ^ "Mob turns violent, Dileep's business firms attacked". Deccan Chronicle. 21 July 2017. Archived from the original on 20 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ "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.
  39. ^ "Here is a timeline of events in the Kerala actress abduction case". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  40. ^ "Malayalam superstar Dileep gets relief in abduction case | English Manorama". English.manoramaonline.com. 9 April 2019. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  41. ^ "Supreme Court stays Dileep's trial in actor sexual assault case". The Hindu. 3 May 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  42. ^ Rajagopal, Krishnadas (30 November 2019). "Dileep can inspect memory card, but can't have copy: SC". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 December 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  43. ^ "Fresh case against actor Dileep, brother". Hindustan Times. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  44. ^ "New allegations surface against Dileep: How this can impact sexual assault case". The News Minute. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  45. ^ "Kerala police register non-bailable case against actor Dileep". The New Indian Express. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  46. ^ Gopakumar, K. C. (7 February 2022). "Kerala HC grants anticipatory bail to Dileep, others". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  47. ^ "State Film Awards (2000–12)". Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  48. ^ "Dileep: 'Chanthupottu' – Malayalam Actor of the Decade". MSN. 26 February 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2013.[permanent dead link]
  49. ^ "Dileep: 'Kunjikoonan' – Malayalam Actor of the Decade". MSN. 26 February 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  50. ^ "Ajit, Simran bag Filmfare awards". The Times of India. 17 May 2003. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011.
  51. ^ "16th Ujala Asianet Film Awards 2004". Metromatinee. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
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