Ever since actor Dileep came under the police radar in connection with the February 17 actress attack case, Malayalam director Vinayan has been raising serious allegations against the embattled star. He had even called Dileep’s arrest a scar on the Malayalam movie industry.
Although Vinayan is against all kinds of pro-Dileep campaign, the director has now extended his support for the movie, Ramaleela that features the actor in the lead role.
Talking to a daily, the filmmaker said, "There is no need for me to stand in favor of any actor. If he is guilty, he should be punished. But that doesn’t mean that I am against his movie.”
He also said, “We have to learn to see art as art and crime as crime. Those who are calling for the boycott of the movie should understand that Dileep has already collected about Rs 2 crore as remuneration. If this film tanks or succeeds, it's not going to affect the court's decision. A culprit remains a culprit."
Dileep was arrested on July 10 in connection with the abduction and assault on the young actress in Kochi on February 17. The police had arrested Pulsar Suni, who had worked as a driver of many film personalities, six days after the incident.
The movie's release had got indefinitely delayed after the actor's arrest. However, the makers last week announced that movie would be released on September 28.