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Quick Facts
Biography
Dileep (born Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan Pillai, on 27 October 1968) is an Indian film actor, singer, impressionist, producer, and businessman. He works predominantly in Malayalam film industry. In a career spanning over two decades, he has starred in more than 130 films.
Dileep began his film career in 1991 by assisting director Kamal. He attained popularity through his impressionist acts in stage shows and Comicola, a television comedy series aired on Asianet. His role as Dileep in Manathe Kottaram (1994) paved way to his acting career. Films such as Sallapam (1996), Ee Puzhayum Kadannu (1997), Punjabi House (1998), Udayapuram Sulthan (1999), and Chandranudikkunna Dikhil (1999) established his status as a prominent actor during the late-1990s.
After delivering back-to-back hits in the early-2000s with films such as Thenkasipattanam (2000), Joker (2000), Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001), Ishtam (2001), Mazhathullikkilukkam (2002) and Kalyanaraman (2002), Dileep established himself as a bankable lead star in Malayalam cinema industry, especially with the blockbuster success of Meesa Madhavan (2002). He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his role as Madhavan in Meesa Madhavan. He won his first Kerala State Film Award (Special Jury) for his performance as Kunjan in Kunjikoonan (2002) and later won the Best Actor Award for his performance as Mukkom Shajahan in the film Vellaripravinte Changathi (2011).
Dileep ventured into production, and produced and starred in C.I.D. Moosa (2003) under the banner Graand Production. Kathavasheshan (2004) won Dileep the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film as a producer. In 2008, under the banner of Graand Production, Dileep produced Twenty:20 by casting most of the mainstream actors of Malayalam cinema, which had become the highest grossing Malayalam film at that time. He produced the multi-starrer in order to raise funds for the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). He is celebrating 25 years on Indian film industry.
Early Life
Dileep was born Gopalakrishnan as eldest among three children to on 27 October 1968 in Aluva, Ernakulam district, Kerala to Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam. He has a younger brother, Anoop and a younger sister, Sabitha. He studied in VVBHS high school (passed 10th Standard in 1985) and joined Union Christian College, Aluva (pre-degree, 3rd group, 1985–1987) and pursued degree in History from Ernakulam Maharaja's College. Dileep started to take mimicry seriously. Dileep rendered his voice in Onam-based comic albums "De Maveli Kombathu", with his friends Nadir Shah and Abi.
Career
1991–2000
Dileep started his career at Kalabhavan, working as a mimicry artist. He also performed in Asianet's comedy show Comicola. Later he got a chance to be the assistant director to Kamal. While being an assistant director, Dileep did some small roles, debuting with just a small scene in Kamal's Ennodu Ishtam Koodamo (1992). He recommended his name to many directors. The film Manathe Kottaram (1994), directed by Sunil, gave him the first break and his screen name Dileep came into place through the character of the same name that he played. Other minor roles during this time included Joshi's Sainyam (1993), Sibi Malayil's Sindoora Rekha (1995), Viji Thampi's Pidakozhi Koovunna Nootand (1994), Kamal's Ulladakkam (1993) and Sudhinam (1994),Thooval Kottaram (1996), Swapna Lokathe Balabhaskaran (1996), Ee Puzhayum Kadannu in 1996. Sallapam (1996) gave him the much needed break and he became a recognisable figure in the movie industry.. He played a supporting role in I. V. Sasi's Varnapakittu in 1997.Punjabi House (1998) was a major success for the actor and it saw the beginning of the popular Dileep-Harishri Asokan combo. His other films Meenathil Thalikettu (1998) and Chandranudikkunna Dikhil (1999) also fared well.
2000s
Dileep started the millennium with hits like Mr. Butler (2000) and Darling Darling (2000). He played a supporting role in the blockbusterThenkasipattanam (2000). He ended the year with Joker (2000). The movie depicting the hardship of circus artists was a critical and commercial success.Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001) was also a major success.Ishtam (2001), Mazhathullikkilukkam (2002) were above average grossers. He ended the year with Kunjikkoonan (2002). He won the Kerala State Film Special Jury Award for playing Kunjan in Kunjikoonan. The movie was also a considerable boxoffice success. With Lal Jose's Meesa Madhavan (2002) Dileep turned an overnight superstar. He played to perfection the role of the thief Madhavan. The movie was the year's highest grosser and his chemistry with Kavya Madhavan was wooed. The movie's music was composed by Vidyasagar and the movie achieved cult status in the state. Kalyanaraman (2003), Jayaraj's Thilakkam (2003), and Johny Antony's C.I.D. Moosa (2003) (which he produced himself) continued the actor's dream boxoffice run. He also produced and starred in T. V. Chandran's Kadhavaseshan (2004). In 2004, he starred in Priyadarshan's Vettam. Despite the initial hype the movie tanked at the boxoffice. Chanthupottu (2005) saw his reunion with Lal Jose. The movie was commercially and critically well received. He also won the Special Jury Award at the Kerala State Film Awards for his performance in the movie.. He ventured into action with Joshy's Runway (2004). The movie broke several box-office records and gave Dileep the tag of Popular Actor. Kochirajavu (2005) his next release was an above average grosser. Lion (2006) a political thriller was another blockbuster for the actor. His next releases were Chess (2006) and Don (2006). The former was a below average grosser while the Shaji Kailas directed Don despite its huge initial pull bombed at the boxoffice. He played the athlete Arjun in Speed Track, the debut of director Jayasurya. His second film with the director Sathyan Anthikad, Vinodayathra, was released in April 2007. The movie gave Dileep his first success after several duds. He appeared in Blessy's Calcutta News (2008). The movie failed critically and commercially. In 2006 he lent his voice to the dumb character played by Shahid Kapoor in Priyadarshan's Hindi film Chup Chup Ke. Story of the 2006 movie Pachakuthira was written by Dileep.
Dileep produced Joshiy's Twenty:20 (2008). In 2009, his films included Crazy Gopalan, Moz & Cat directed by director Fazil. The former under performed at the boxoffice while the latter bombed. Passenger. The movie was a sleeper hit and the actor's performance was well received. He ended the decade with critically acclaimed Swantham Lekhakan which saw him team up with Gopika after the superhit Chanthupottu.
2010s
In the beginning of the 2010s, Dileep starred in Bodyguard directed by Siddique. The film was a moderate success while its remakes Kaavalan starring Vijay and Bodyguard starring Salman Khan became huge hits. The latter also reached the coveted 100 crore mark. Aagathan and Paappi Appacha were his next films. The former under performed while the latter fared well at the box office. His production venture Malarvaadi Arts Club was directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan which was also the debut vehicle of Nivin Pauly. The Hindi movie Toofan was released in 2010, which is a children's film, directed by Major Ravi. In 2010, he also starred in his 100th movieKaaryasthan. Despite mixed reports from critics the movie was a blockbuster. In 2011, he starred in Marykkundoru Kunjaadu was a mega hit. He also appeared in multi starrer Christian Brothers and China Town. Both went on to become huge hits. In 2011, he also starred in Orma Mathram, The Filmstaar and Vellaripravinte Changathi for which he won a Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.
His first release in 2012 was Spanish Masala directed by Lal Jose. Despite its initial pull the movie under performed at the box office. His next movie in 2012 Mayamohini swept the box office by storm, it went on to become one of the highest grosser in the history of Mollywood. With Mr. Marumakan and My Boss he continued his dream boxoffice run. His first release in 2013 was the multistarrer Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath. Despite poor reviews the starpower of the leads (other being Mammootty) the movie became a big hit. He played the lead role in Vysakh's Sound Thoma and later starred in Sringaravelan. Both fared well at the boxoffice once again proving Dileep's stronghold as the boxoffice king. Nadodimannan and Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal failed considerably at the boxoffice despite huge initial pull. In 2014 was he appeared in another hit Raffi's Ring Master thst grossed over 10 crores. He also appeared in Avatharam and Villali Veeran. The former was an above average grosser while the latter flopped. In 2015 he starred in Ivan Maryadaraman, the official remake of Son of Sardar. The producers recovered its costs within the first week of the release but failed to become a hit. He followed it up with Chandrettan Evideya . The movie was critically and commercially successful. He also did a guest appearance in a song in Kannada star Shivrajkumar 's Vajrakaya. He was last seen playing the title character in Jeethu Joseph's Life of Josutty. Despite their previous collaboration My Boss was a huge blockbuster, this movie become an above average grosser. "Two Countries" released on Christmas 2015 directed by Shafi became one of the biggest blockbuster hit in Dileep's career and the film received mostly positive review all over and became the highest-grossing film in his career. Two countries enters 50 crore club and currently next to "Drishyam ", "Ennu ninte Moideen", "Amar Akbar Anthony" and "Premam ". In 2016 his first film was "King Liar " that entered the 20 crore.
Filmography
Assistant Director
- Ulladakkam (1991)
- Champakulam Thachan (1992)
- Ennodishtam Koodamo (1992)
- Vishnu Lokam (1992)
- Ghazal (1993)
- Bhoomi Geetham (1993)
- Mazhayethum Munpe (1995)
- Ee Puzhayum Kadannu (1996)
- Manthramothiram (1997)
Producer
- C.I.D. Moosa ( 2003)
- Kadhavasheshan (2004)
- Pandippada (2005)
- Twenty:20 (2008)
- Malarvaadi Arts Club (2010)
- The Metro (2011)
- Love 24x7 (2015)
- Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan (2016)
Playback Singing
Song | Film | Year | Co-Singers | Lyrics |
---|---|---|---|---|
Theme Music | Chandranudikkunna Dikkil | 1999 | Sruthi | S Ramesan Nair |
Onnaam Malakeri | Kalyaanaraaman | 2002 | Innocent, Lal, Narayanankutty, Kochu Preman, Lalu Alex, Salim Kumar | Kaithapram |
Saare Saare | Thilakkam | 2003 | Sujatha Mohan, Dileep, Chorus | Kaithapram |
Kandaal Njaanoru | Sound Thoma | 2012 | – | Nadirsha |
Ashakoshale Pennundo | Sringaaravelan | 2013 | Afsal & Nadirsha | Nadirsha |
Television
- Comicola (Asianet)
- Cinemala (Asianet)
- Dhe Chef (Mazhavil Manorama) as Chief Host
Awards
- Kerala State Film Award
- 2011 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor – Vellaripravinte Changathi
- 2004 – Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film – Kathavasheshan (producer)
- 2005 – Special Jury Award for Chanthupottu
- 2002 – Special Jury Award for Kunjikoonan
- Asianet Film Awards
- 2002 – Asianet Film Award – Best Actor – Kunjikoonan
- 2004 – Special Jury Award – Kathavasheshan
- 2008 – Best Film – Twenty:20
- 2010 – Most Popular Actor : Body Guard
- 2013 – Award of Excellence for completing 20 years in Malayalam film industry
- Vanitha Film Awards
- 2013 – Best popular Actor –
- Kerala Film Critics Awards
- Best Actor – Chanthupottu
- Filmfare Awards
- 2002 – Best Actor – Meesha Madhavan
- JAIHIND FILM AWARDS
- 2010 – Most Popular Actor Award
- 2011 – Chalachitra prathibha award
- 2012 – Best Actor – Mayamohini Arike
- 2014 – Most Popular Actor Award
- SIIMA AWARDS
- 2014 – Best Actor – Sound Thoma
- AMRITA FILM AWARDS
- 2008 – Best Film – Twenty:20
- 2010 – Most Popular Actor Award
- Entertainment (2010-02-26). "Dileep: 'Chanthupottu' – Malayalam Actor of the Decade". Entertainment.in.msn.com. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
- Entertainment (2010-02-26). "Dileep: 'Kunjikoonan' – Malayalam Actor of the Decade". Entertainment.in.msn.com. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
- http://www.metromatinee.com/news-articles/16th-ujala-asianet-film-awards-2014-winners-list-7548
Personal life
Dileep married actress Manju Warrier on 20 October 1998. The couple has one daughter named Meenakshi. In July 2014, the couple filed for divorce which was granted on 31 January 2015. Dileep married actress Kavya Madhavan on 25 November 2016 at Vedanta Hotel, Kochi.