In this Indian name, the name Padmanabhan is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Gopalakrishnan or by his stage name Dileep.
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.
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]
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]
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
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]
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
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]
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
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.
