Dileep is a celebrated Indian film actor and producer known for his contributions to Malayalam cinema. With a career spanning over three decades, he has delivered numerous blockbuster films, earning accolades and a massive fan following.
This blog post explores his early life, rise to stardom, career highlights, controversies, and interesting facts.
Early Life and Upbringing
Dileep, born Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan Pillai, hails from Edavanakad, Kerala, India. He was born on October 27, 1967, into a middle-class family. His parents, Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam, raised him alongside his siblings, Anoop and Sabitha.
- School: Vidyadhiraja Vidya Bhavan Higher Secondary School, Aluva
- College: Union Christian College, Aluva
- Degree: Bachelor’s in History from Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam
During his college years, Dileep developed a passion for mimicry and acting, which eventually led him to the entertainment industry.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan Pillai |
| Nickname | Janapriyanayakan |
| Alternative Names | Dileep |
| Date of Birth | 27 October 1967 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 57 Years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Edavanakkad, Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Hometown | Aluva, Kerala, India |
| Current Address | Not Known |
| Education Qualification | B.A. in Economics, M.A. in History |
| Hobbies and Interests | Watching films |
| Languages Known | Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada |
| Social Media Profiles | Facebook , Instagram |
| Wikipedia Profile | Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile | IMDb Profile |
| Website | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Average |
| Body Measurements | 40-34-14 inches |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Weight | 176 lbs (80 kg) |
| Chest | 40 inches |
| Waist | 34 inches |
| Biceps | 14 inches |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Short, neatly styled |
| Distinctive Features | Expressive eyes, round face |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Dileep’s personal life has been widely discussed in the media. He was married to Manju Warrier, a renowned actress, in 1998. The couple had a daughter, Meenakshi, but their marriage ended in 2015. Later, in 2016, he married Kavya Madhavan, another popular actress.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Wife | Kavya Madhavan |
| Father | Padmanabhan Pillai |
| Mother | Sarojam Pillai |
| Children | Meenakshi (Daughter) |
| Siblings | Anoop (Brother), Sabitha (Sister) |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Manju Warrier, Kavya Madhavan |
| Significant Relationships | Manju Warrier (Ex-Wife) |
Rise to Stardom
Dileep started his career as a mimicry artist before transitioning into films. He worked as an assistant director under Kamal before making his acting debut in 1992.
- Punjabi House (1998) – Established him as a leading actor.
- Meesha Madhavan (2002) – Became a massive hit and earned him the title “Janapriyanayakan.”
- C.I.D. Moosa (2003) – A cult comedy film.
- Kunjikoonan (2002) – Showcased his versatility.
- Chanthupottu (2005) – A unique role that won critical acclaim.
Dileep – Selfie
Dileep – Debut Film – Ennodishtam Koodamo
Dileep – Successful Film – Meesha Madhavan
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Dileep has acted in over 150 films, spanning various genres. His ability to portray comedic, dramatic, and action roles has made him a household name.
- Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor – Vellaripravinte Changathi (2011)
- Filmfare Award South – Best Actor (Malayalam)
- Asianet Film Awards – Multiple wins for Best Actor
- Vanitha Film Awards – Best Actor
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, Producer, Entrepreneur |
| Debut Film | Ennodishtam Koodamo (1992) |
| Notable Roles | Meesha Madhavan, Kunjikkoonan, Chandupottu, Vellaripravinte Changathi, Ramaleela |
| Recent Films | Voice of Sathyanathan (2023) |
| Upcoming Films | N/A |
| Popular TV Series | C.I.D. Moosa |
| Awards & Achievements | Kerala State Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | N/A |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | construct 1000 houses for the Kerala poor at a cost of around Rs. 55 crores |
| Professional Associations | Dileep Associates in Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Training & Education | B.A. in Economics, M.A. in History |
| Production Company | Graand Production |
| Box Office Success | Meesha Madhavan, Kunjikkoonan, Chandupottu, Ramaleela |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Vellaripravinte Changathi, Ramaleela, Voice of Sathyanathan |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | ₹300 crore |
| Per Movie Charges | Not Known |
| Per Endorsement Charges | Not Known |
| Sponsorship Deals | N/A |
| Business Ventures | Dhe Puttu (restaurant chain), Multiplex theater |
| Investments | Real estate, startups |
| Real Estate Holdings | Multiple properties |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | I founded Heilbronn Properties Ltd |
| Cars Collection | BMW, Toyota |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Jayasurya |
| Favorite Actress | Kavya Madhavan |
| Favorite Film | Vishnulokam |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | football |
| Favorite Books | N/A |
| Favorite Colour | Black |
| Favorite Food | Sadhaya Foods |
| Things s/he likes | Acting, Comedy, Family |
| Things s/he dislikes | Controversies, Negative press |
Top 5 Best Films – Dileep
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Meesha Madhavan | 2002 | Madhavan |
| Punjabi House | 1998 | Unnikrishnan |
| C.I.D. Moosa | 2003 | Sahadevan |
| Kunjikoonan | 2002 | Vimal Kumar |
| Chanthupottu | 2005 | Radhakrishnan |
Controversies – Dileep
- Actress Assault Case (2017) – Allegations of involvement in a criminal conspiracy.
- AMMA Expulsion (2017) – Removed from the Malayalam film association.
- Divorce from Manju Warrier (2015) – Highly publicized separation.
- Kavya Madhavan’s Divorce Rumors (2009) – Speculated involvement in her first marriage ending.
- Industry Feuds – Clashes with fellow actors and directors.
Interesting Facts – Dileep
- Started as a mimicry artist before entering films.
- Owns a film production company – Graand Production.
- Runs a restaurant chain – Dhe Puttu.
- Has acted in Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada films.
- Known for his comedic timing and versatile roles.
- Nicknamed “Janapriyanayakan” (People’s Hero) in Malayalam cinema.
Dileep remains one of the most influential actors in Malayalam cinema, despite controversies. His versatility, dedication, and contribution to Indian cinema have cemented his legacy. Whether through blockbuster films, awards, or personal struggles, his journey continues to captivate audiences.
