The arrest of top Malayalam actor Dileep on Monday evening has the makings of a warped crime thriller filled with a vendetta and a nasty villain at its centre. The 48-year-old actor has been accused of orchestrating the abduction and sexual assault of his colleague (name withheld) in February and is now imprisoned at the Aluva Sub Jail, near Kochi.
According to reports, the actor paid Rs15 million (Dh852,576) to a local goon, who was later identified as Pulsar Suni, to block the actress’ car at around 10pm on February 17 near Kochi. A gang of masked men attacked the actress in her vehicle and allegedly took pictures of the molestation.
The Welcome To Central Jail star’s intention was to allegedly settle personal scores by blackmailing the actress with those images.
For those in the dark, the survivor of the attack and Dileep were good friends until a few years ago. But their relationship soured when she allegedly ratted him out to his ex-wife, Manju Warrier, about his affair with another colleague and Dileep’s current wife, Kavya Madhavan.
Popular actress and Dileep’s first wife, Manju Warrier. |
According to reports, the actor of more than 130 films in a career spanning two decades, didn’t take to that betrayal kindly. Apart from causing an unofficial boycott of the actress from films, Dileep is said to have been planning this sexual assault for the last three years.
At the time of going to print, the actor — who currently has more than four films riding on him — is likely to be in prison for 14 days and his lawyer will post bail on July 12.
PUBLIC OUTCRY
Meanwhile, the highly influential actor is feeling the heat of his arrest. Protests have erupted in Kerala with a mob seeking a strict sentence for the accused. Meanwhile, Dileep’s restaurant Dhe Puttu, has also been vandalised. Dileep’s membership to The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (Amma), an authority led by iconic Kerala stars such as Mohanlal, Mammootty and Innocent, has been revoked. The actor was the treasurer of Amma.
Mammootty, who is also the general secretary of Amma and who has been maintaining a distance from this issue, confirmed the membership expulsion to the local media. The decision was taken after the actor’s arrest when several members of the film fraternity met at Mammootty’s residence.
“We will never favour a particular section of people in Amma. The organisation is for all,” said Mammootty to reporters. He was flanked by Mohanlal and actor Prithviraj.
Mamootty’s reassurance about Amma being a neutral body is a telling sign that the Malayalam film industry and its key players are in damage-control mode. Their recent meeting came under fire when its board members, led by actor Innocent, attacked the media for asking questions about the organisation’s support for Dileep. On Tuesday, Mammootty expressed his regret over the previous meeting in which actors such as Ganesh slammed the media. A large section of the Malayali community expressed outrage at the remarks, with some commenting that the situation reeked of deep-seated sexism and patriarchy that exists in the Kerala film industry. Incidentally, Dileep was seated on the stage during the meeting.
LIP-SERVICE
As soon as news of the attack on the actress became public, top actors, including Dileep, paid lip-service by claiming that the culprits behind the heinous incident should be sent to prison. Dileep’s ex-wife, actress Manju Warrier, even suggested at the time that there was a premeditated conspiracy behind the assault.
Interestingly, until his arrest, Dileep has been crying foul to the media and claiming that he had being unfairly targeted. Even after his arrest, Dileep addressed the media saying he was innocent and was framed.
Kavya Madhavan |
While this is a developing story, sources reveal that several other arrests may soon follow. As a part of the probe, Dileep’s wife, Kavya Madhavan’s boutique, was also subjected to a raid. The police is said to have found conclusive proof linking the actor to the attack, following their extensive investigation.
The case has captured every Keralite’s imagination, with the arrest sending shockwaves across the state.
Over the years, Dileep has enjoyed stupendous success after a playing a string of common-man roles. Whether it’s playing a goofy, pampered brother in Twenty Twenty or a Robin Hood-style thief in the blockbuster Meesa Madhavan, he has appealed to many because of his approachable personality. In all his interviews, he comes across as Mr Nice Guy and a wholesome family man.
However, not everyone has been a fan. The late actor Thilakan labelled him as “venomous” in his interviews. The award-winning actor bore the brunt of Dileep’s wrath and is believed to have been sidelined under Dileep’s diktats from films.
Director Vinayan, in a panel discussion, even declared that while he hopes that his colleague Dileep is innocent, there’s no denying the actor’s vengeful ways.
It remains to be seen if Dileep’s case — which has come under intense scrutiny by the public and the media — will swing in the direction of Salman Khan’s 2002 hit-and-run case when his vehicle caused the death of one, and injured four others; the actor was finally acquitted in 2015.
But there’s no denying that Dileep is going through the lowest phase in his life right now.
TIMELINE
February 2017
On February 17, the actress is abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving vehicle for over two hours. The vicious attack, carried out by a gang of masked men, is captured on camera by her captors. The attack is led by a local goon called Pulsar Suni. The actress files a police complaint and arrests are made within three days. Dileep, later that week, took to Facebook claiming that he is being dragged into the crime.
June
Dileep claims that Pulsar Suni, the prime accused, has been blackmailing him, demanding Rs15million to keep his name out of the case. At the end of June, Dileep undergoes a marathon grilling by police.
July
Dileep’s wife Kavya Madhavan’s boutique is raided and on July 10, the actor is arrested.
Celeb reactions:
“Truth succeeds. Big Salute to Kerala police. Will be with dear friend till the last. It is indeed a historic moment for those who were eagerly waiting to know the truth. I don’t really know how to express my emotion right now. Hats off to Kerala police,” said actress Remya Nambeesan in a Facebook post.
“I acknowledge it as a crime as done by someone of my family. It is a major development in the cases related to atrocities against women. He should be penalised. The case has led to a situation where the society won’t allow any atrocities against women,” actor Mala Paravthi told local media.
