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How did Dileep become one of the most influential figures in Malayalam cinema, even though he was never bigger than Mohanlal or Mammootty as a star? If you ask me about Dileep's position as a star in Malayalam cinema, he was always behind Mohanlal and Mammootty. Mohanlal and Mammootty are like the Khans of Bollywood. They are the biggest superstars of their industry. Dileep's stardom was more comparable to Hrithik Roshan. You can call him a big star or a Tier 1 actor, but not the biggest star in the industry. Dileep's journey towards stardom began in the late 1990s with Punjabi House. The success of films like Ee Parakkum Thalika, Meesa Madhavan and CID Moosa in the early 2000s established him as a major star. His biggest strength was comedy. He had tremendous reach among family audiences, especially children. During his peak, his popularity was so strong that he managed to move ahead of established stars like Jayaram and Suresh Gopi in terms of box-office pull. From 2000 to 2017, Dileep was arguably the third-biggest star in Malayalam cinema after Mohanlal and Mammootty. But his influence went far beyond acting. He was also a major producer and had considerable influence within the Malayalam film industry. His position in AMMA and his connections across the industry made him one of the most powerful personalities in Malayalam cinema. However, everything changed in 2017 following his arrest in the actress sexual assault case. His career and industry relationships took a massive hit. He was removed from membership of several film industry organisations, and his influence gradually started declining. Although he was acquitted in December 2025, the damage caused by the controversy and his arrest had already taken a heavy toll on his public image and professional standing. Even his box-office position has changed significantly. His comedy films no longer enjoy the same acceptance, and Ramaleela remains an important turning point in discussions about his career. Today, Dileep is nowhere near the influential position he once enjoyed in Malayalam cinema. He is no longer the powerful industry figure he was before 2017. Dileep's story is an interesting example of how someone can be much more powerful behind the scenes than his actual position as a superstar suggests. What do you think? Can Dileep ever regain his lost position in Malayalam cinema?