KOCHI: A day after actor Dileep was granted bail by the Kerala High Court in the actor assault case, the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) reinstated him as its president. Dileep was removed from the post soon after his arrest in connection with the case on July 10.
“We have not ousted him from the organisation. I was handed over the charge of the president of the new association since Dileep was not in a position to undertake the role following the incidents that took place almost three months back. Now Dileep is back and that is why we have decided to reinstate him as president,” said film producer Antony Perumbavoor.
Antony will continue as vice-president of FEUOK.
On whether Dileep had been officially intimated about the change, FEOUK office-bearers said they will soon communicate with him in this regard. “We do not see any reason for Dileep rejecting our decision,” said M C Bobby.
Around 5 p.m on Tuesday, Dileep was released on bail and drove to his home near here, after spending 85 days in judicial custody.
Wednesday saw a stream of film personalities, including actors, producers and directors calling on Dileep, but the actor refused to speak to the media saying he did not have permission to speak to the press.
The team of his blockbuster film "Ram Leela", released last week, held a small celebration at his home.
He, along with his actress wife Kavya Madhavan, called on his counsel Raman Pillai to convey their thanks for securing him bail in the fifth attempt.
Meanwhile, with Dileep out on bail, the police probe team which was getting ready to file the charge-sheet in the case, on Wednesday decided to defer it.
Now all eyes are on the actors' body -- Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) -- which soon after Dileep's arrest decided to suspend him from the body and also removed him as its treasurer.
Miffed by the actor walking out on bail, the recently-formed Women in Cinema Collective, led by Dileep's former wife and actress Manju Warrier, in their Facebook post said on Wednesday that even as the law was taking its course, they were fully behind their fellow actress, who underwent painful moments when she was abducted.
"We will be with her all the more strongly in her pursuit for justice," the post read.
The abduction of the popular actress took place in February when she was on way from Thrissur to Kochi.
She was forcibly taken around in her vehicle and allegedly molested for about two hours before being dumped near an actor-director's home.
The key accused -- Pulsar Suni and his accomplices involved in the actual abduction -- were arrested a week later. After their questioning, police unearthed a conspiracy angle in the abduction and arrested Dileep.
(with IANS inputs)