Mohanlal, Mammootty Puppets In Actor Dileep’s Hands’; When A Malayalam Director Made SHOCKING Allegations

Even after his acquittal in the 2017 case involving the abduction and sexual assault of a Malayalam actress in a moving vehicle in Kochi, Dileep’s first reaction after Monday’s (December 8) verdict - in which

he took jabs at his former wife Manju Warrier - only intensified backlash against the actor, with many arguing it exposed his “true colours.” While a section of people celebrated the judgment, widespread scepticism remains, especially since several witnesses who originally testified against Dileep later turned hostile. Amid renewed debate around the case, an old interview of acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Vinayan has resurfaced online, drawing fresh attention. In this interview, Vinayan made a series of explosive allegations about Dileep’s influence in the industry - including the claim that the actor once controlled Malayalam cinema from behind the scenes. Speaking to Times of India shortly after Dileep’s arrest on July 10, 2017, Vinayan had said, “From my personal experience, I know that Dileep is a master manipulator and Mammootty and Mohanlal have just been puppets in his hands.”

According to Vinayan, Dileep wielded immense clout within the Malayalam film ecosystem - clout that he believes allowed the actor to shape careers, control decisions, and even steer the direction of the industry. The filmmaker also alleged that his own fallout with Dileep began years earlier, when he was the head of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA). At the time, he had reportedly taken action against Dileep for allegedly refusing to work on a film despite accepting an advance payment.Also Read: Kerala Sexual Assault Case Verdict: Actor Dileep NOT Found GuiltyVinayan later revealed on a television channel that his decision to not take a “pro-Dileep stance” came at a heavy personal cost, claiming he lost nearly a decade of opportunities in the industry. According to him, Dileep’s message to the industry was clear, anyone who attempted to “teach him a lesson” should not be allowed to survive in Malayalam cinema. The filmmaker has also said that Dileep had walked out of a film that was to be directed by Thulasidas after accepting Rs 40 lakh in advance, and that as MACTA chief, he had intervened to resolve the issue.During a meeting on the matter, it became evident that Dileep was in the wrong, Vinayan claimed. MACTA subsequently urged the actor to settle the issue immediately - something Dileep allegedly did not take kindly to, resulting in long-standing friction between the two. Ironically, Vinayan was among the earliest directors to offer Dileep significant roles, casting him in films such as Kalyana Sougandhikam, Ullasapoongattu, Anuragakottaram, Pranaya Nilavu, and Rakshasa Rajavu.In fact, after Dileep’s arrest in connection with the 2017 assault case, Vinayan spoke to Manorama News, calling the incident a deep wound to the Malayalam film industry. “Dileep is an expert in exacting revenge,” he said. He also added, “The fact that a film star was behind such a heinous act is a disgrace to Malayalam cinema in front of the world.” Vinayan urged authorities at the time to ensure that the survivor received justice.Following Dileep’s acquittal this week, the director reiterated his stance, emphasising that the larger conspiracy angle still needs clarity. He told the media that it is the government’s responsibility to prove whether a conspiracy existed and argued that further court proceedings - ideally by a higher court - would add credibility to the process.