The long-running Kerala actor rape case has taken another dramatic turn, with the state government announcing that it will file an appeal against the verdict that acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep. The decision comes days after the trial court cleared Dileep of all charges related to the 2017 abduction and assault of a prominent female actor, a case that shocked the Malayalam film industry and sparked widespread discussions on women’s safety in cinema.
Officials from the Kerala Home Department confirmed that the government will seek legal advice from the Director General of Prosecution before moving forward with the appeal. The state has maintained that there were serious lapses and unanswered questions in the court’s findings, and believes the matter deserves another judicial examination. Women’s rights activists and several film personalities have also urged the government to pursue a higher court review, citing the gravity and sensitivity of the case.
The survivor, who has remained resilient throughout the eight-year legal battle, has expressed support for the appeal. The case originally led to a major shake-up in Mollywood, resulting in public protests, the formation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), and intense debates on power structures inside the film industry.
As the Kerala government prepares its appeal, the spotlight once again returns to the legal system’s ability to uphold justice in high-profile assault cases. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial, not only for Dileep’s future but also for the larger conversation on accountability, gender safety, and transparency in Kerala’s film fraternity.
