Actor Dileep may have secured an acquittal in the 2017 Malayalam actor abduction and assault case, but the public mood around him remains sharply divided.

Even after Monday’s (December 8) verdict, the actor’s immediate remarks–where he appeared to take aim at his former wife, Manju Warrier–triggered a wave of criticism online, with many saying it only reinforced longstanding concerns about his conduct. 

As debate around the ruling intensified, an old interview with filmmaker Vinayan resurfaced, drawing renewed attention due to the serious allegations he had levelled against Dileep years ago. The remarks, made in 2017 shortly after Dileep’s arrest, cast the actor as a powerful force within Malayalam cinema–one Vinayan described as the “unofficial kingpin” of the industry.

Vinayan’s explosive allegations resurface

Days after Dileep was arrested on 10 July 2017, Vinayan told The Times of India: “From my personal experience, I know that Dileep is a master manipulator and Mammootty and Mohanlal have just been puppets in his hands.”

In the same interview, he suggested that Dileep held significant sway over the direction and functioning of the Malayalam film industry. According to Vinayan, the hostility between them began after he, as president of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA), intervened in a dispute involving Dileep and a producer.

Vinayan on his fallout with Dileep

The director has alleged on multiple occasions that taking a stand against the actor came at a personal cost. Earlier, Vinayan alleged he lost nearly ten years of opportunities after refusing to support Dileep during an internal dispute at MACTA.

Ironically, Vinayan had played a key role early in Dileep’s career, casting him in lead roles in films including ‘Kalyana Sougandhikam’, ‘Ullasapoongattu’, ‘Anuragakottaram’, ‘Pranaya Nilavu’, and ‘Rakshasa Rajavu’.

Vinayan has also characterised Dileep as someone adept at seeking revenge. After the recent verdict, he reiterated that the “government is responsible for proving whether there was a conspiracy” behind the crime. Although legally nothing prevents Dileep from re-entering industry bodies, Vinayan cautioned that “overenthusiasm” to welcome him back would expose these groups’ “true intentions.” He added, “Dileep was asked to prove the truth, and he did it. Nonetheless, I stand with the survivor.”

The verdict and what comes next

The case verdict was delivered on December 8 by Ernakulam Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese, who acquitted Dileep, the eighth accused. The trial, which spanned nearly eight years, found the first six accused guilty. Their sentencing is scheduled for December 12.

Those convicted include NS Sunil, also known as Pulsur Suni, who was accused of orchestrating the abduction and assault. Others found guilty are Martin Antony (second accused), B. Manikandan (third accused), VP Vijeesh (fourth accused), H. Salim alias Vadiwal Salim (fifth accused), and Pradeep (sixth accused). Additional accused in the broader case include Charly Thomas (seventh), Sanilkumar alias Mesthri Sanil (ninth), and G. Sarath (fifteenth).

The crime dates back to 17 February 2017, when a popular South Indian actress–active in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films–was abducted and assaulted inside her moving car by a group of men.