Dileep has no dates to spare in 2002. He is so busy that he could not present himself to receive the 'Mathrubhumi' popular actor of the year award at Kochi. He sent Manju Varier, his wife, who was not seen on stage for a long time to receive the award.

His demand as a successful hero started with Parakkum Thalika and Ishtam. Mazhathullikkilukkam followed. His new film Kuberan with Samyuktha Varma and Uma as his heroines has just released and running well. The fact that there are only a fewer new films in the circuit and no superstar films came out during this period did contribute to the present status of Dileep.


Excerpts from the interview.

With the success of Parakkum Thalika and Ishtam You have become a prized actor in Malayalam films. How do you take this situation?

This is just my lady luck. Luck and gift of Providence. I had a feeling that ParakkumThalika. would be a success when I was acting in it. But I never thought it would become a hit.

Every hit brings a set of clones to the screen. That is the trend of the industry. Would you accept such monotonous roles?

One can't say that definitely. But it is natural to make similar films, when a humorous film becomes a hit. Nobody would risk his or her money in a project, which would fail. So every body connected with the show business takes a path of sure success. Actors also have no choice. I believe that many films fail in box office due to dearth of good stories. Sometimes the stories of present films remind me of old films.

You have acted along with superstars. What have you learned from them?

An actor would automatically learn a lot of things from others. I consider myself as a student of acting. I don't consider myself as a complete actor. I try to learn from my seniors also. (Dileep acted in, Raakshasaraajan along with Mammootty and almost shot a couple of scenes with Mohan Lal in now abandoned Chakram)

Why do you think the audience likes you?

I think people like my looks and expressions. For sometime I was an assistant to director Kamal. This helped me to measure up the possibilities of a character and meet the expectations of a audience.

We miss Manju Varier very much. She is an actress of unmatched talents. Nobody has replaced her so far. Audience is eager to see Manju Varier once again on screen. What is her reaction? Wouldn't you let her act?

It is her decision not to act again. I am happy that every body likes her. It gives me immense pleasure to hear that she is adored as an actress by Keralites. But I don't think she will change her decision. She is a housewife now. We have a daughter Meenakshi. She is content with her present life.

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