Dileep-Manju Warrier Divorce: Rare Photos Of The Couple

Dileep and Manju Warrier, the ever favourite pair of Malayali audience are legally separated now. The Ernakulam family court granted divorce for the couple, on January 31st, Saturday. As per the reports, no maintenance petition was filed by Dileep or Manju for the custody of daughter Meenakshi. So, the 13 year old will be staying with her father hereafter.

Manju Warrier-Dileep wedding was a great shock for the Malayali audience. The couple got married without the consent of both families, in a low-key ceremony on October 20th, 1998. Manju decided to retire from the movies immediately after her marriage, to the much shock of her fans and media. Dileep's open disapproval in his wife pursuing an acting career, was highly criticized by the public and celebrities.

Despite the initial issues, the couple patched up with both the families and started living in Aluva, with Dileep's family. It was a tough time for Dileep, as the actor started loosing opportunities due to his controversial marriage. But the things started changing with the massive success of Joker, directed by Lohithadas.

The media and fans described Manju Warrier as the lucky charm of Dileep. The actor started receiving prestigious movie offers and rose to super stardom, in a couple of years. Dileep has always been vocal about how Manju supports the family and his career. The actor has even declared that Manju is the reason behind all his happiness and prosperity.

Dileep once wrote about their love story and recalled the funny moments they shared in the movie sets, in a feature series published in Manorama weekly, which was titled as Sallapam. But the things started changing once the rumours about Dileep's alleged linkup with his lucky co-star, started coming out.

Things started getting worse when Manju Warrier performed her arangettam at Guruvayoor Sreekrishna Temple. Even though the arangettam news was officially announced by Dileep himself; the actor was not present at the event. Later Manju moved out and started living with her parents, in Thrissur; while Dileep and Meenakshi continued living in Aluva.

Manju Warrier made her comeback into movies in 2014, with How Old Are You directed by Roshan Andrews. The actress also started brand endorsemenst and replaced Dileep as the brand ambassador of Kalyan Jewellers. Manju also received Manorama News Maker Award 2014. Dileep, on the other hand, is going through a down phase in his career with consecutive box office failures.

Both actors has always refused to reveal the actual reason behind the divorce and requested the media and fans to respect their privacy. Both and Dileep and Manju was very particular about maintaining a dignified silence and has hardly made some comments about each other. The divorce of Malayalam cinema's most celebrated star couple will remain as a big pain for the fans of both the actors.

Check out the slides for some rare photographs of Dileep and Manju Warrier

Sallapam

The snap from the Dileep and Manju's first movie Sallapam.

Manju Warrier made her debut in lead roles with Sallapam, opposite Dileep. The movie directed by Sundar Das went on to become a blockbuster. The couple fell in love on the sets of their second movie, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu.

Wedding

Some clicks from the wedding day.

Dileep and Manju Warrier tied the knot in a low key wedding ceremony, which was held in the presence of Dileep's best buddies, Lal Jose, Biju Menon, Kalabhavan Mani and Nadhirshah.

Manju's Retirement

A snap from the first interview of Dileep and Manju after marriage.

In the interview, Dileep openly stated his disapproval over Manju pursuing an acting career. Manju, to the much shock of her family, friends and fans, announced her retirement from movies and happily accepted the role of a homemaker.

Meenakshi's Birth

First pic with Meenakshi.

Things started changing after the birth of the couple's daughter, Meenakshi. Dileep's Lohithadas flick Joker released at the same time. The movie was a great comeback for Dileep; and acted a saving grace for the Dileep's almost dead career.

Success And Stardom

Dileep and Manju clicked during a fun moment.

Dileep rose to popularity with the consecutive super hits, including Thenkashipattanam, Ishtam, Kuberan, Meesa Madhavan, Kunjikoonan etc. The actor gained immense popularity and rose to super stardom, with Meesa Madhavan directed by his best pal Lal Jose.

Lucky Charm

A picture from the interview given to Vanitha Magazine.

Dileep has openly stated Manju as his lucky charm and the reason behind his all prosperity, in many interviews.

Love Story

A snap with Meenakshi, clicked during an interview.

Dileep narrated their love story through a feature series named Sallapam, which was published in Manorama weekly.

Dileep's Alleged Linkup

A click from an Onam special interview.

Reports regarding Dileep's alleged linkup with his co-star started coming out during late 2000's. Manju constantly supported her husband during the crisis and stood by him despite the rumours.

Best Friends

A click from the audio launch ceremony of multi-starrer Twenty 20, produced by Dileep.

Dileep has always remarked that Manju is his best friend, with whom he can share each and every thing.

Separation And Divorce

The last joint pic of the couple, which was clicked during the filming of Dileep's Mayamohini.

Manju moved out of Dileep's house in 2013. The couple filed a joint divorce petition in July 2014 and the court granted the divorce on 31st January, 2015.