Malayalam film actors Dileep and Kavya Madhavan finally tied the knot at a star-studded but simple ceremony held in a hotel in the port city of Kochi yesterday. The wedding finally put an end to more than half a decade of speculations that the two were in love and was to blame for the breakdown of their earlier marriages.
“When I thought of having a family, I decided to marry the one who was made a scapegoat (by gossipmongers) because of me,” Dileep told reporters after the ceremony.
“I think people wanted this to happen. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have happened,” added Kavya, 32, who had a short-lived marriage with an expatriate in 2009.
Though actor Manju Warrier, Dileep’s ex-wife of 16 years, gracefully kept away from function, their daughter Meenakshi was seen happily sharing the dais with her father’s new love.
“I am extremely happy,” the teenager told reporters. “It was I who suggested that he wed Kavya. I impressed upon him and made him take this decision.”
Before tying the knot Dileep took to Facebook and to go live to seek the blessings of his fans and well-wishers.
“This is a big decision in my life. I had told you all earlier that if I marry, I will keep you informed. So, here it is,” he said.
“I am getting married and had wanted to do so for some time now. My daughter, mother and friends have supported my decision. When I thought of getting married, I felt I should marry the person with whom my name has been linked most often…so I am marrying her today.”
The couple said they would be flying to Singapore late in the evening. 
The two had last acted together in Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Pinneyum. It was not immediately clear if Kavya would continue her acting career. Manju had taken a long break from acting after the marriage.
Besides superstar Mammootty, Jayaram and many co-stars, directors, producers and his close friends, Meera Jasmine, his heroine of several films, also attended the ceremony.
“It’s right decision for both of them to unite,” Meera said.  “Let the couple be happy. I wish them well.”
The actors’ decision came as a surprise for many reporters. Many got a call from Dileep just minutes before the function began. Most of the guests also had no idea what they were being invited to, and many confused it for a film set.
“My husband (producer Suresh Kumar) told me we were going to attend a function. The venue also had no trappings of a wedding,” said Menaka, a yesteryear actress.