Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan,[3] better known by his stage name Dileep, is an Indian actor, producer, comedian and entrepreneur who predominantly works in the Malayalam film industry.

[4] Beginning as an impressionist in stage shows, Dileep obtained recognition after being cast in the television comedy series Comicola on Asianet and its successor Cinemala.

He acted in a major role as a struggling young man who wants to meet his favourite actress in the 1994 film Manathe Kottaram taking the screen name Dileep.

In 2002 he played the titular role in Meesha Madhavan which became the highest grossing Malayalam film ever at that time and catapulted him into superstardom gaining the moniker “Janapriyanayakan”.

Dileep was born in Edavanakad, Kochi of Kerala, India to Padmanabhan Pillai and Sarojam on 27 October 1967.

[citation needed] Dileep along with his friend Nadirshah produced and performed in the Onam-based audio cassette titled De Maveli Kombathu, which helped his entry into the film industry.

[14] Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001) and Kuberan (2002) were a major success at box office and are considered two of the best movies in his career.

This movie, which eventually developed a cult following was a major breakthrough in his career as it increased Dileep's stardom to a new level in Malayalam cinema.

Moosa (2003), a slapstick comedy by Johny Anthony is considered one of Dileep's career best movies by many fans.

[citation needed] Dileep produced Joshiy-directed Twenty:20 (2008) to raise funds for the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

Kaaryasthan (2010) was his 100th movie,[20] For his role in Vellaripravinte Changathi (2011) he won a Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.

[32] On 28 June 2017, Dileep was interrogated by the Kerala Police in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of actress Bhavana on 17 February 2017.

[35] Several political parties protested against Dileep and his business firms were vandalized, including Dhe Puttu restaurant and the multiplex theatre D Cinemaas.

[42] In December 2021, film director Balachandra Kumar gave an interview to a news channel where he alleged that he was witness to discussions among people including Dileep, regarding turning witnesses hostile, attacking police officers leading the investigation and being in illegal possession of the assault video.

[43][44] Based on these claims, Kerala police registered a new case against Dileep for conspiracy to assault investigating officers.