21 Facts About Dileep

Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, better known by his stage name Dileep, is an Indian actor, producer, comedian and entrepreneur who predominantly works in the Malayalam film industry.

Dileep has won several awards, including Kerala State Film Awards and one Filmfare Awards South.

At his peak, Dileep was one of the most commercially successful malayalam actors.

Dileep 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.

Dileep 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.

Dileep 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.

Dileep established himself as a successful actor during the late 1990s, mostly playing comedic roles.

Dileep was married to actress Manju Warrier from 1998 to 2015.

Dileep was born in Edavanakad, Ernakulam, Kerala, India to Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam on 27 October 1967.

Dileep started using the name of the role Dileep in Manathe Kottaram, as his screen name.

In Lal Jose's Meesa Madhavan, Dileep played the role of the thief Madhavan.

Dileep won a Special Mention for his performance in Chanthupottu.

Dileep produced Joshiy-directed Twenty:20 to raise funds for the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists.

Dileep married actress Manju Warrier on 20 October 1998; their daughter, Meenakshi, was born in 2000.

Besides acting and film production, Dileep is involved in film distribution and exhibition.

Dileep owns the multiplex theater complex D Cinemaas situated in Chalakudy.

On 10 July 2017, Dileep was arrested by the Kerala Police for alleged conspiracy, and was remanded by the court.

Dileep requested the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Dileep filed an additional plea for accessing video footage of the incident.

In October 2018, Dileep was granted bail by the Kerala High Court.

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.