Who is Dileep?
Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan is known by the name Dileep in the industry. He is an Indian actor, producer, singer, and entrepreneur who primarily works in the Malayalam industry. Dileep is a seasoned actor and has acted in over 150 films. He has won many awards and accolades in his career, including four Kerala State Film Awards and a Filmfare Awards South. On 28 June 2017, Dileep was questioned by the Kerala Police in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of actress Bhavana on 17 February 2017. On 10 July 2017, he was arrested on allegations of conspiracy and was remanded by the court. Now, on 8 December 2025, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court acquitted Dileep of all charges at the conclusion of a trial that had lasted nearly nine years.
Wiki/Overview
| Full Name | Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan Pillai |
| Nickname | Janapriya Nayakan |
| Profession | Actor, Singer, Producer and Entrepreneur |
| Date of Birth | 27 October 1967 |
| Place of Birth | Aluva, Kerala |
| Age (as of 2025) | 57 years old |
| Father | Padmanabhan Pillai |
| Mother | Sarojam Pillai |
| Spouse | Manju Warrier (Divorced) (First Wife), Kavya Madhavan (Second Wife) |
| Education | Graduation in Arts |
| Known for | Dileep is a renowned Malayalam Actor, Singer, Producer and Entrepreneur. |
| Residence | Kerala, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Height | 5’7 |
| Weight | 70 kgs |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
Early life
Dileep was born on 27 October 1967 in Aluva, Kerala, India to parents Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam Pillai.
Career
Dileep is a well-known actor in the Malayalam film industry. He started with small or supporting roles early in his career. Over time, thanks to his comic timing and ability to connect with family-drama stories, he became a popular lead actor. As he gained fame, he also moved into other parts of filmmaking becoming a producer and a distributor.
For many years, Dileep was among the top stars in Malayalam cinema. He appeared in many successful films and was considered a big draw at the box office. Even when the tastes of audience changed, he tried to adapt. For instance, between 2020 and 2022, he had limited theatrical releases and some of his films, like Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan, premiered directly on streaming platforms. In recent years, he has produced and acted in films such as Voice of Sathyanathan (2023), though some of his newer films did not do well at the box office.
In 2017, an actress alleged that she was abducted and sexually assaulted, and Dileep was named among the accused. After a long-drawn legal battle lasting nearly eight years, on 8 December 2025 a court in Kerala, Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court acquitted Dileep. The court said the prosecution failed to prove his role beyond reasonable doubt. For now, he is legally cleared of all charges in that case.
Education
Dileep attended Vidyadhiraja Vidya Bhavan School in Aluva, where he passed the tenth standard in 1985. He then joined the Union Christian College, Aluva, to complete his pre-degree during 1985–1987. Later, he pursued a degree in History from Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam.
Family and Affairs
Dileep first got married to actress Manju Warrier on 20 October 1998. The couple have a daughter together named Meenakashi, who was born in 2000. The couple got divorced in the year 2015. Dileep found love again, he married actress Kavya Madhavan on 25 November 2016. The couple have a daughter together which is born in the year 2018.
Appearance
Dileep has a good height of 5’7 inches while he weighs 70 kilograms. He has brown coloured eyes and black coloured hair.
Achievements
Dileep has received many awards for his work in Malayalam films over his long career. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 2011 for his role in Vellaripravinte Changathi. Earlier, he got Special Jury / Special Mention honours at the same state awards for films like Chanthupottu (2005) and Kunjikoonan (2002). He also won the Filmfare Awards South as Best Actor (Malayalam) for Meesha Madhavan in 2002. Beyond these, he got several honours from awards bodies like the Asianet Film Awards, Kerala Film Critics Association, and others for both comedic and serious roles.
Money Factor
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Salary / Income | N/A |
Trivia and Facts
- Dileep owned the multiplex theatre complex D Cinemas situated in Chalakudy when it opened in December 2014.
- Dileep owns Dhe Puttu, a restaurant chain with branches in Kerala and the Middle East.
