(Left) N.S. Suni aka ‘Pulsar’ Suni, the first accused in the actor rape case. (Right) Malayalam actor Dileep.
Eight years ago, in February 2017, the Malayalam film industry was shaken when news emerged that a well-known actor had been abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of men in a moving vehicle while travelling on one of the busiest roads in the state. The incident was not only horrifying in itself but also deeply unsettling for an industry known for its camaraderie among actors.
Soon, the case snowballed into a turning point that would redefine the industry’s power hierarchies. Dileep, one of Malayalam cinema’s most influential stars — who had initially expressed solidarity with the survivor — was arrested and charged with orchestrating the assault. The allegations that he had conspired to carry out the crime sent shockwaves through the film fraternity and the wider public, igniting unprecedented discussions about gender, power, and accountability within Malayalam cinema.
The incident exposed the long-suppressed misogyny and patterns of sexual violence that had persisted behind closed doors in Malayalam cinema, forcing the industry and its audience to confront them openly.
Now, after nearly nine years of investigation, legal battles, and intense public scrutiny, the case is nearing a pivotal moment. The Ernakulam District and Sessions Court is set to pronounce its verdict on Monday, December 8, marking a decisive chapter in one of Kerala’s most closely watched criminal trials.
Here is a timeline of key events that have unfolded since the incident on February 17, 2017:
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Published – December 08, 2025 06:55 am IST
