Once the darling of Malayalam cinema, and someone who has been in the shadows for quite a while, Dileep returns to the spotlight with Prince and Family, but will the seemingly changed industry give him back his spot?
Once hailed as Malayalam cinema's janapriya nayakan, Dileep is one of the most polarising figures in the industry today. After facing a string of box-office failures, the actor has finally delivered a film that has been received warmly. Debutant director Binto Stephen's Prince and Family has not only brought a bonafide success to Dileep's career, but also given him a prominent space in mainstream media. This was something that was missing ever since he was accused of orchestrating the sexual assault of a prominent Malayalam actor.
In the 2000s, a Dileep film was a festival. In fact, he is considered to be the knight in shining armour, who saved the industry from a seemingly dry spell. His movies, such as Meesha Madhavan, CID Moosa, Kalyanaraman and Punjabi House, delivered wholesome entertainment. Films like Chanthupottu and Kunjikkoonan cemented his image as an actor who was also a star. For generations, Dileep was a household name. His endearing on-screen characters and comedic sense appealed to family crowds throughout the state. His evolution from a mimicry artist to a boy-next-door to a superstar became a story for the ages.
However, this persona took a hit after he was arrested in July 2017 for allegedly conspiring in the sexual assault of a fellow actor. The incident sent shockwaves through Kerala and the wider film community. Public outcry was swift, and social media was in uproar. Some members of the industry even distanced themselves from Dileep, and one of the biggest consequences of this case was the creation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). The case, which remains under trial, has seen multiple twists, including accusations of witness intimidation and efforts to derail the legal process.
Despite the controversies, Dileep’s fanbase, though diminished, has not disappeared. Supporters argue he is the target of a conspiracy and iterate the age-old idiom of 'innocent until proven guilty.' On the other hand, his films too didn't seem to be in sync with the evolving audience, and were found wanting on multiple levels. The same slapstick comedy, body-shaming humour, and gendered jokes didn’t land like they used to. Movies like Bandra and Thankamani even failed to find favour in OTT, and are left in limbo. Apart from Kammara Sambhavam and Ramaleela, Dileep’s movies have been below average post 2017 and failed to make an impact until Prince and Family. Interestingly, both those films dealt with public perception and how the whitewashing of an image can occur with the help of media and the use of the right resources. Nevertheless, with Prince and Family, Dileep has found his core audience of 'family audience' flocking to theatres.
In his recent spate of interviews, Dileep has taken a humbling stance and requested the media who 'pushed him down for years' to stand with him now. He is doing several interviews with Youtube-native media to promote the movie as well as himself, which seems to be working in his favour. He is subtly appealing to the emotional sensibilities of audiences, especially those who still view him as a victim of media vilification. These interviews tend to merge promotion of the film with personal reflection, confusing the boundary between Dileep, the actor, and Dileep, the accused. Irrespective of whether this is a PR stunt or a sincere plea for understanding, the reception has been welcoming, which indicates that at least some of the public are prepared to listen.
His movies have also set this narrative for a while now, several of his characters mirror a victim narrative. Be it a misunderstood underdog, a wrongly accused man, or an individual battling betrayal and injustice. These roles, intentionally or not, often appear to parallel his real-life situation and may contribute to a larger attempt at reclaiming public sympathy. In Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel, he plays an underdog, who is mocked and doubted but eventually proves his worth and uncovers corruption. In Voice of Sathyanathan, his character is wrongly targeted by authorities, another symbolic nod to being misjudged.
His upcoming film Bha Bha Ba which stands for Bhaya, Bhakthi, Bahumanam (translates to 'Fear, Devotion, Respect') is said to be an action comedy thriller film written by Fahim Safar and Noorin Shereef, alongside big names Vineeth Sreenivasan, and Dhyan Sreenivasan in the lead roles and a stellar supporting cast, with a cameo by Mohanlal as well. Bha Bha Ba is scheduled to release this year. This is like a sure-shot way to get back into business, and plonk himself into the right angle of the spotlight.
It is almost like Dileep has played the waiting game for a long time now, and is hoping that people, who were against him due to the court proceedings and accusations, have softened over time. As they say time heals, but it also has the power to forget. But will time forgive? Well... we can only wait and watch.
