Dileep

Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan,better known by his stage nameDileep, is an Indian actor, producer, comedian and entrepreneur who predominantly works in theMalayalam film industry. He has also acted inTamil,Hindi, and Kannada films. He has won several awards, includingKerala State Film Awardsand oneFilmfare Awards South.
Beginning as animpressionistin stage shows, Dileep obtained recognition after being cast in the television comedy seriesComicolaonAsianetand its successorCinemala. He then produced and performed in the audio cassette seriesDe Maveli KombathuwithNadirshah, a successfulsketch comedy, which was later turned into a television series on Asianet.
He began his film career as anassistant directorand worked under directorKamalin nine films, beginning withVishnulokamin 1991, and made his acting debut with a minor role in Kamal'sEnnodu Ishtam Koodamo(1992). He acted in a major role as a struggling young man who wants to meet his favourite actress in the 1994 filmManathe Kottaramtaking 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 inMeesha Madhavanwhich 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 wasC.I.D. Moosa.
Outside of films, Dilieep also owns themultiplex theatreD Cinemaas, and therestaurant chainDhe Puttu. Dileep was married to actressManju Warrierfrom 1998 to 2015. He married actressKavya Madhavanin 2016.
Dileep was born inEdavanakad,Ernakulam,Kerala, India to Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam on 27 October 1967.He is the eldest among three children.He has a brother, Anoop, and a sister, Sabitha.
Dileep studied atVidyadhiraja Vidya Bhavan Higher Secondary SchoolinAluva, where he passed the tenth standard in 1985, and joined theUnion Christian College, Aluvafor pre-degree third group, during 1985–1987. Later, he pursued a degree in history atMaharaja's College, Ernakulam.
It was during his time in Maharaja's College that he began takingimpressionistacts seriously.Dileep along with his friendNadirshahproduced and performed in theOnam-based audio cassette titledDe Maveli Kombathu, which helped his entry into the film industry.
Dilieep started his career atKalabhavan, working as amimicryartist in the 1980s.He also performed inAsianet's comedy showComicola. Later, while working as theassistant directortoKamal, he acted in a few small roles, starting with a small scene inKamal'sEnnodu Ishtam Koodamo(1992). Kamal recommended his name to many directors. He started using the name of the role Dileep inManathe Kottaram(1994), as his screen name. Success of two 1996 films, Kamal'sEe Puzhayum Kadannuand Sundar Das'Sallapam, anchored his place in the Malayalam film industry.He played a supporting role inI. V. Sasi'sVarnapakittu(1997).Punjabi Housein 1998 marked the beginning of the successful Dileep-Harishree Ashokancombo.
Ee Parakkum Thalika(2001) andKuberan(2002) were a major success at box office and are considered two of the best movies in his career.
In 2002 he won theKerala State Film Special Jury Awardfor playing the role of Kunjan in the filmKunjikoonan. InLal Jose'sMeesa Madhavan(2002), Dileep played the role of the thiefMadhavan. This movie, which eventually developed acultfollowing was a major breakthrough in his career as it increased Dileep's stardom to a new level in Malayalam cinema.The same year he also debuted inTamil cinemawithRaajjiyam.C.I.D. Moosa(2003), a slapstick comedy byJohny Anthonyis considered one of Dileep's career best movies by many fans.In 2004, he produced and starred inT. V. Chandran'sKadhavaseshan. He won aSpecial Mentionfor his performance inChanthupottu(2005).
Dileep producedJoshiy-directedTwenty:20(2008) to raise funds for theAssociation of Malayalam Movie Artists(AMMA). The film became the highest-grossing Malayalam film (₹31.4 crore) until that time.
He ventured into production withMalarvaadi Arts Club.Kaaryasthan(2010) was his 100th movie,For his role inVellaripravinte Changathi(2011) he won aKerala State Film Award for Best Actor."Two Countries" released on Christmas Day 2015, directed by Shafi, became the highest-grossing film in his career.His 2017 film,Ramaleela, became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
After a break, in the movieKeshu 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.
Dileep married actressManju Warrieron 20 October 1998; their daughter, Meenakshi, was born in 2000.In July 2014, the couple filed for divorce which was granted on 31 January 2015.On 25 November 2016, Dileep married actressKavya Madhavan.The couple have a daughter born in 2018.
Besides acting and film production, Dileep is also involved in film distribution (through Graand Production) andexhibition.He owns themultiplex theatercomplex D Cinemaas situated inChalakudy.He along with his friendNadirshahfounded therestaurant chainDhe Puttu, they have restaurants inKochi,Kozhikode,QatarandDubai.
He is popularly called 'Janapriya Nayakan' (transl. popular hero) by delivering consecutive hits which entertained the audience of all ages.
2019 filmShibustarringKarthikdirected byArjunandGokulis a film made on Dileep, and is based on an ardent fan of Dileep who wants to make a movie with him.
On 28 June 2017, Dileep was interrogated by theKerala Policein connection with the abduction andsexual assaultof actressBhavanaon 17 February 2017.On 10 July 2017, Dileep was arrested by the Kerala Police for alleged conspiracy, and was remanded by the court.Following his arrest, Dileep's membership was revoked by various film organisations.Several political parties protested against Dileep and his business firms were vandalized, including Dhe Puttu restaurant and themultiplex theatreD Cinemaas.On 3 October 2017, he was released on conditional bail by theKerala High Court.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 theCentral Bureau of Investigation.
Dileep filed an additional plea for accessing video footage of the incident. The plea was denied by both the Angamaly Magistrate Court and theKerala High Court.Mukul Rohatgirepresented him in the case. In October 2018, Dileep was granted bail by the Kerala High Court.In April 2019, theGovernment of Keralafroze charges against him until the court has given an independent verdict on the case.In May 2019, theSupreme Courtstayed his trial until his plea for footage is considered.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.
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.Based on these claims, Kerala police registered a new case against Dileep for conspiracy to assault investigating officers.On 7 February 2022, he and others were granted anticipatory bail byKerala High Courtin conspiracy case.Case against him is put on hold.
Playback singing
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