DileepWriter M.T. Vasudevan Nair, in a collection of essays titled Kilivathililoode, terms Adoor Bhasi as an actor who evolved immensely and benefited out of it. Tracing an actor's journey through his oeuvre may throw up interesting facts about what made or unmade his acting and cinematic dispensation.
As in all build-ups, the early and formative years are crucial. In Malayalam, after the Left-backed theater movements sent its meticulously technical actors to films, like N.N. Pillai, Thilakan, and later, the more adaptable personalities like K.P.A.C. Lalitha, another milder and populist movement was taking shape in the background.
Dileep joins other mimicry artists during a stage performance.The Kathaprasangams and plays, the reality shows of yesteryear, was gently being replaced by a new art form where a scout of sprightly young men mimed and mimicked their ways into the hearts of people. As temple grounds and celebrations turned to mimicry artistes, the Kalabhavans and Guinnesses were celebrity tags, which brought in more viewers and money.
At least three super hit movies had mimicry and the lives of mimicry artistes as the main theme. Hits like Mimics Action 500 and Kasarkode Khaderbai threw up an array of actors from the stage to the silver screen. The migration was not one without its set of problems. The humor that worked on the stage – loud, screechy tonal implants and a swell of hyperventilation – could not be successfully adapted for the screen.
But a crop of actors managed to swim through the rip tide and find a place in the more placid cinematic ambiance, which the new and evolved audience wanted. Dileep was one. Dileep brought to films the rich mimicry experience and had in him the agility to adapt to the new format. The instant responses had given him the tactile ability to judge the pulse of the audience and this helped him immensely as he went about creating his cinematic edifice.
Here is a quick run through some of his most successful films.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Georgettan's Pooram (2017): Directed by K. Biju, the film is Dileep's latest. The film was a dud as Dileep's screen charisma failed to weave a magic. It turned out to be a nemesis as a selfie at the shooting location of the film provided curcial evidence in the probe into actress attack case.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Welcome to Central Jail: The film (2016) was directed by Sundar Das. Vedhika plays the female lead. Ironically, the film proved to be a jinx for Dileep. One year later he was slapped with conspiracy charges in the sensational actress attack case. He was trolled on the social media with memes of clips from the movie that went against Dileep.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Thilakkam (2003) The comedy directed by Jayaraj was intended to be a laugh riot. The film had Kavya Madhavan as lead pair opposite Dileep. The movie once again proved Dileep could handle comic scenes with elan. Though the film didn't go down well with critics, it was a success at the box office.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Pinneyum (2016): The film was written, co-produced and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. This was the last film Dileep paired with Kavya Madhavan before the actress attack row erupted.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Life of Josutty (2015): Substantial or hollow, a Dileep flick has by now become a sure bet for producers and theater owners. He had endeared himself to legions of family audience through his clownish and wits and tear-jerking emotions. The film directed by Jeethu Joseph had Jyothi Krishna playing the female lead opposite Dileep.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Singaravelan(2013): The film directed by Jose Thomas. The film starring Dileep and Vedika in the lead reaffirmed Dileep's position as a people's hero. The film was critically denounced. However, its commercially success proved his mass appeal.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
My Boss: The third film by Jeethu Joseph My boss is a loose remake of the 2009 Hollywood film The Proposal. The film was most noted for the crackling chemistry between Dileep and Mamtha Mohandas and their fine comic timing.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Kathavaseshan (2004): This T.V. Chandran movie saw Jyothirmayi playing the female lead opposite Dileep. The film proved Dileep's mettle in emoting serious roles. He displayed splendid acting which catapulted him beyond the realm of mimicry.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
CID Moosa (2003): The film directed Johny Antony had Dileep as the co-producer along with his brother Anoop. The film set off a new era in Malayalam film industry and cemented Dileep's position as a safe bet in comedy and action genre. The film had Bhavana playing the female lead opposite Dileep.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Meesa Madhavan: The film directed by Lal Jose and written by Ranjan Pramod had Dileep in the title role. The film went on to become a commercial success and the highest grossing Malayalam film of 2002 and also established Dileep's status as a bankable star.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001): The film directed by Thaha had Nithya Das playing the female lead opposite Dileep. The film was an out-and-out comedy filled with slapstick and situational humor. Replete with antiques and buffoonery, the film was on the beaten formulaic track of caper comedy.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Dhosth (2001): A campus movie on love triangle which had Dileep, Kavya Madhavan and Kunchacko Boban playing the prominent roles. The film was directed by Thulasidas.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Ishtam (2001): Directed by Sibi Malayil, Navya Nair paired with Dileep in the lead. The film proved Dileep's ability to blend humor and emotion so well and he excelled in playing an endearing character.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Thenkassipattanam (2000): The film was directed by Rafi Mecartin. The multi-starrer highlighted the immense talent of Dileep to rub shoulders with the towering personalities in Malayalam film industry. The film was a blockbuster and proved to be Dileep's launchpad for low-budget, high-grosser flicks.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Chandranudikkuna Dikil (1999): The film was directed by Lal Jose. Dileep and Kavya Madhavan were in the lead roles. The film gave Kavya Madhavan her break as a lead actress. Lal, Biju Menon, Samyuktha Varma, Jagadish, and Innocent played prominent roles.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Punjabi House: The 1998 Malayalam comedy, written and directed by Rafi Mecartin, saw Dileep, Mohini, Lal, Cochin Hanifa, Harisree Asokan, Neena Kurup, and Janardanan. The movie gave Dileep a much-needed break with the role of Unni.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Ee Puzhayum Kadannu (1996): The film directed by Kamal had Dileep and Manju Warrier in the lead. The film saw the slow emergence of the naive hero who effectively harped on the emotional nerves of middle class audience. That film was a hit and proved to be a curtain raiser for several low-brow Dileep-genre movies.
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Dileep's eventful journey: from sidekick to superstar
Sallapam (1996): The film scripted by A.K. Lohithadas was directed by Sundar Das. With the film Dileep embarked on his modest journey as a lead actor. It was the first movie which had Dileep and Manju Warrier as the lead pair.
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