Dileep gets serious about serious films

Kochi (Kerala), Aug 7 (IANS): Malayalam superstar Dileep seems most earnest about changing his image from a comic star to a serious actor.

So he first did an action-oriented role in Joshi's "Runway". Now he has started shooting for T.V. Chandran's "Kathavaseshan", an offbeat film where he plays a 30-year-old expatriate civil engineer.

Dileep is co-producing the movie along with his brother Anoop under the banner of Grand Productions, which had earlier produced "CID Moosa" directed by Johny Antony. What is surprising is that Dileep started this film even when his old pals like Lal Jose and Johny Antony were waiting for him to complete Priyadarshan's "Vettam" that is due for release during Onam.

Dileep's craving for critical approval may have taken him to T.V. Chandran. Mammootty got one of his three National Awards for his role in Chandran's "Ponthan Mada". Then, Meera Jasmine won the state award for playing the role of a teenage Muslim girl in Chandran's "Padam Onnu, Oru Vilaapam".

Maybe, next year, Dileep will be gracing the podium at award functions.