Manju Warrier
IANS/Kochi
It's now official. Kerala's star couple Dileep and Manju Warrier's divorce proceedings have officially begun with the former filing a petition here Thursday seeking a divorce.
Dileep filed a petition at the family court seeking separation from his wife. He also requested the court to see that the details of the petition and the case not be published by the media, citing a Supreme Court directive. The court agreed to his plea.
The couple have been separated for a while now and their teenage daughter lives with Dileep.
They got married in 1998 when Manju called time on her film career, while Dileep continued his acting career.
Last year, Manju, an experienced dancer, relaunched her dancing career and acted with Amitabh Bachchan in a commercial advertisement. After she acted in How Old Are You, it became clear the couple were heading for separation.
The court will hear Dileep's petition on July 23 and asked Manju to be present.
Dileep has also filed a caveat stating that in case Manju files a petition, he should be heard first.
Manju, 35, began her eventful career in 1995 and in a short span of four years acted in 20 films before marrying Dileep in 1998.
Some of her best known films include Sallapam, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu, Thooval Kottaram, Kaliyattam, Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu, Daya, Summer in Bethlehem and Pathram.
In her career, she won four Filmfare Awards for best actress and won the National Film Award for her performance in Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu in 1999.