What next for Dileep? Acquittal could pave way for return to film bodies that once shunned him
Minutes after the acquittal, B Unnikrishnan of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) told reporters in Kochi that the body will take a “relook at his expulsion”, which came into effect in 2017.
4 min readHyderabadUpdated: Dec 9, 2025 10:46 AM IST
Dileep had alleged that he had been framed following a statement by his ex-wife Manju Warrier in support of the survivor, and that a prominent police officer and a “gang of criminal police” plotted the case against him. (File photo)
At his Aluva residence, on the outskirts of Kochi city, actor-producer Dileep was on Monday seen celebrating his acquittal in the 2017 case of an actress’s abduction and sexual assault. He was accused of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and destruction of evidence – charges brought by the prosecution that did not hold up in a Principal Session Court in Ernakulam.
Minutes after the acquittal, B Unnikrishnan of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) told reporters in Kochi that the body will take a “relook at his expulsion”, which came into effect in 2017. “He was removed from FEFKA after he was accused in the case. We will start the process to take a relook at the decision in view of his acquittal,” B Unnikrishnan said, avoiding a direct comment on whether the decision will be revoked.
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) also released a short statement: “Let law take its course. AMMA respects the court.” AMMA had expelled Dileep in 2017, prompting the actor to submit his resignation. Later, even as AMMA tried to reinstate Dileep, widespread criticism led him to state that he wouldn’t want to join back.
Sources in the Malayalam film industry told The Indian Express that the acquittal paves the way for Dileep’s return to both associations. “He has been acquitted; why should he not be reinstated?” a producer told The Indian Express, while an actor said there are “many who want him back”.
Fellow actor-producers could bring up the matter to reinstate Dileep in the next executive committee meeting of the AMMA and FEFKA, sources said, adding that an “emergency meeting” may even be called to this end. AMMA had expelled Dileep in 2017, after an emergency executive committee meeting held in the Kochi residence of superstar Mammootty. When contacted, three of the executive committee members of AMMA, including its woman president, actor Swetha Menon, declined to comment. Director and FEFKA office bearer B Unnikrishnan was not available for comment.
An AMMA member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “The verdict will surely put pressure on different film bodies to bring him back.”
Dileep’s close friend Nadirsha told The Indian Express, “AMMA and FEFKA could reinstate Dileep now that he is acquitted. Dileep should also be willing to join these bodies now.”
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The Kerala government has said that it will appeal against the trial court’s verdict. Speaking to reporters, Saji Cheriyan, Kerala’s culture minister, said, “The state government is firmly with the survivor – has been and will always be.”
Support also flowed in for the survivor with several leading actors, directors and producers using the hashtag #Avalkkoppam (with her). Speaking to The Indian Express, senior film editor Beena Paul, who is also part of Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), said, “We believe in the judicial process in the country. We hope that the survivor will get justice… meanwhile, because of her grit, a lot of changes have happened in the film industry – including the formation of WCC.”
Actor Rima Kallingal, a close friend of the survivor, wrote on social media, “Always, more stronger than ever, now. Avalkkoppam.” Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu was critical of the judicial process. She wrote, “Justice what? And now we watch a carefully crafted screenplay unfold so cruelly now.”
Nikhila Henry is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Hyderabad. With a career spanning 17 years, she has established herself as an authoritative voice on South Indian affairs, specialising in the complex intersections of politics, education, and social justice.
Experience & Career: Nikhila commenced her journalism career in 2007 as an education correspondent for The Times of India in Hyderabad,where she gained recognition for her coverage of student politics. Her professional trajectory includes a four-year tenure at The Hindu, where she focused on minority affairs and social welfare. In 2019, she took on a leadership role as the South Bureau Chief for The Quint, where she directed regional coverage across all five South Indian states. Her expansive career also includes a tenure at the BBC in New Delhi and contributions to prestigious international outlets such as The Sunday Times (London) and HuffPost India.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nikhila’s reportage is marked by a deep-seated understanding of grassroots movements and institutional policy. Her core focus areas include:
Regional Politics: Comprehensive analysis of the socio-political dynamics across South India.
Education & Student Movements: Chronicling the evolution of Indian academics and the rise of youth activism.
Minority Affairs: Rigorous reporting on the welfare, rights, and challenges facing marginalized communities.
National Beat: Elevating regional stories to national prominence through investigative and on-ground reporting.
Authoritativeness & Trust
A respected figure in Indian media, Nikhila is not only a seasoned reporter but also an accomplished author and editor. She authored the critically acclaimed book The Ferment: Youth Unrest in India and edited Caste is Not a Rumour, a collection of writings by Rohith Vemula. Her dual background in daily news reporting and long-form authorship allows her to provide readers with a nuanced, historically-informed perspective on contemporary Indian society.
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