The Night That Shook Malayalam Cinema
The court has acquitted actor Dileep in the 2017 Malayalam actress abduction and assault case, while six others were convicted
The 2017 Malayalam actress abduction and sexual assault case involving actor Dileep is trending again on social media, with old videos, court updates, and strong public reactions being widely shared. Many young viewers are learning about the case for the first time.
The case began on 17 February 2017, when a well-known Malayalam actress was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi. During the journey, her driver slowed the car, allowing a group of men to enter the moving vehicle. She was abducted and sexually assaulted for almost two hours, and the assault was recorded to blackmail her. After the attack, she reached a police station and filed a complaint. Pulsar Suni, the main attacker, and his gang were arrested.
The case took a major turn when the investigation pointed towards actor Dileep. According to the police, the alleged motive was revenge after the actress reportedly revealed Dileep’s extramarital relationship to his then-wife. Dileep denied the charges. He was arrested in July 2017, granted bail after three months, and the case continued for years.
During the trial, around 20 witnesses turned hostile, withdrew statements, or changed earlier claims, raising questions about influence and pressure. The survivors continued to fight courageously, and the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) was formed in 2017 to support women in the industry.
In 2019, actress Bhavana publicly revealed she was the survivor. She returned to films with Ntikkakkakkoru Premondarnn (2023) and will appear in The Door in 2025.
On 8 December 2025, the court acquitted Dileep due to lack of evidence but convicted six accused, including Pulsar Suni. The verdict has sparked national debate, and WCC has expressed deep disappointment.
