Dileep

Dileep started his career at Kalabhavan, working as a mimicry artist in the 1980s.[9] He also performed in Asianet's comedy show Comicola. Later, he served as the assistant director to the Indian film director, Kamal. While being an assistant director, Dileep acted in a few small roles, debuting with a small scene in Kamal's Ennodu Ishtam Koodamo (1992). Kamal recommended his name to many directors. The film Manathe Kottaram (1994), directed by Sunil, gave him his first break in the role of Dileep, through which he gained his screen name. Other minor roles during this time included Joshi's Sainyam (1993), Sibi Malayil's Sindoora Rekha (1995), Viji Thampi's Pidakozhi Koovunna Nootand (1994),and Sudhinam (1994), Thooval Kottaram (1996), Swapna Lokathe Balabhaskaran (1996), and Ee Puzhayum Kadannu (1996). He played a supporting role in I. V. Sasi's Varnapakittu (1997). Punjabi House (1998) led to the beginning of the popular Dileep-Harishri Asokan combo.

Dileep with Profoundis Team

In 2000, Dileep starred in the films Mister Butler (2000), Darling Darling (2000) and Joker (2000). He played a supporting role in Thenkasipattanam in 2000,[10] and also appeared in Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001), Ishtam (2001), and Mazhathullikkilukkam (2002).

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, that same year he also debuted in Tamil cinema with Raajjiyam. His next appearances were in the films Kalyanaraman (2003), Jayaraj's Thilakkam (2003), and Johny Antony's C.I.D. Moosa (2003) He also produced and starred in T. V. Chandran's Kadhavaseshan (2004). In 2004, he starred in Priyadarshan's Vettam. Chanthupottu (2005) saw his reunion with Lal Jose. He won a Special Mention at the Kerala State Film Awards for his performance in the movie.[11] He ventured into action with Joshy's Runway (2004). Kochi Rajavu (2005), was his next release. His next releases were Chess (2006) and Don (2006). Also in 2006, he lent his voice to the character played by Shahid Kapoor in Priyadarshan's Hindi film Chup Chup Ke.[12] The story of the 2006 movie Pachakuthira was written by Dileep.[13] His second film with the director Sathyan Anthikad, Vinodayathra, was released in April 2007. The same year, he played the athlete Arjun in Speed Track, the debut of director Jayasurya. He then appeared in Blessy's Calcutta News (2008).

Dileep produced Joshiy-directed Twenty:20 (2008) to raise funds for the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The film starred became the highest-grossing Malayalam film (₹ 31.4 crore) until that time.[14] In 2009, his films included Crazy Gopalan and Moz & Cat directed by director Fazil. Dileep's performance in the 2009 movie Passenger was well received. He ended the decade with Swantham Lekhakan which saw him team up with Indian actress Gopika.

Dileep in 2016

In the beginning of the 2010s, Dileep starred in Bodyguard directed by Siddique. The film had multiple remakes including Kaavalan starring Vijay, and Bodyguard, starring Salman Khan. Aagathan and Paappi Appacha were his next films. His production venture Malarvaadi Arts Club was directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan which was also the debut vehicle of Nivin Pauly. The Hindi children's movie Toofan was released in 2010, directed by Major Ravi.[15] In 2010, he also starred in his 100th movie, Kaaryasthan. In 2011, he appeared in Christian Brothers, China Town, Orma Mathram, The Filmstaar and Vellaripravinte Changathi, for which he won a Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.[16]

His first release in 2012 was Spanish Masala directed by Lal Jose. His next movie in 2012 was Mayamohini. His first release in 2013 was Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath. He played the lead role in Vysakh's Sound Thoma and later starred in Sringaravelan. In 2014 was he appeared in Rafi's Ring Master. He also appeared in Avatharam and Villali Veeran. In 2015 he starred in Ivan Maryadaraman, a remake of Maryada Ramanna. He also did a guest appearance in Shivrajkumar 'sVajrakaya. He played the title character in Jeethu Joseph's Life of Josutty. "Two Countries" released on Christmas Day 2015, directed by Shafi, became the highest-grossing film in his career. In 2016, his first film was "King Liar". Later he starred in Welcome to Central Jail, and Pinneyum, with veteran director Adoor Gopalakrishnan. His 2017 film, Ramaleela, became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time. His first movie release of 2018 was Kammarasambhavam, in which he played negative role for first time and it co-starred South Indian actor Siddharth.

Besides acting and film production, Dileep is also involved in film distribution (through Graand Production) and exhibition. He owns the multiplex theater complex D Cinemaas situated in Chalakudy. He along with his friend Nadirshah founded the restaurant chain Dhe Puttu, they have restaurants in Kochi, Kozhikode, Qatar and Dubai, as of 2019.[22]

On 28 June 2017, Dileep was interrogated by the Kerala Police[23] in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of Bhavana, who was allegedly kidnapped and molested by a gang while traveling from work on 17 February 2017.[24][25][26][27][28] On 10 July 2017, Dileep was arrested by Kerala Police for alleged conspiracy, and was remanded by the court.[29] On 3 October 2017, he was released on conditional bail by the Kerala High Court.[30] 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.[31][32]

Following his arrest, Dileep's membership was revoked by various film organisations.[33] Several political parties protested against Dileep and his business firms were vandalised, including Dhe Puttu restaurant and the multiplex theatre D Cinemaas.[34] Dileep in the major prosecution process has filed an additional plea for accessing video footage of the incident. The plea was denied by both the Angamaly Magistrate Court and Kerala High Court. Mukul Rohatgi, a former Attorney General of India represented him in the case. In April 2019, the Government of Kerala froze charges against him until the court has given an independent verdict on the case.[35][36] Mukul Rohatgi was able to get him a stay on the trial from Supreme Court thus making the case inactive until Dileep gets access to the video.[37]