Dileep Shankar was a renowned Malayalam actor, casting director and playwright. he is popularly known for his roles in hit TV shows like Ammaariyathe, Sundari, and Panchagni. With an illustrating career spanning threatre, television and films, Dileep became a household name in the Indian entertainment industry.
He came in news for his unfortunate demise on December 29, 2024 at the age of 54. It marked the end of a vibrant and promiswing journey in the arts. In this article, we will discuss his life journey and more about his inspiring career in the field of acting in TV shows and movies in detail.
Dileep Shankar Biography

Dileep Shankar was a renowned Malayalam actor, casting director, he was born on October 29, 1970, in Kerala, India. his popularity come behind the roles in hit TV shows like Ammaariyathe, Sundari, and Panchagni.
Full Name | Dileep Shankar |
Profession | Actor, casting director, playwright |
Currently in news for | Unfortunate demise on December 29, 2024 |
Date of Birth | October 29, 1970 |
Place of Birth | Kerala, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Dileep Shankar Age and Perosnal Details

Dileep Shankar was born on October 29, 1970. But unfortunately he died on December 29, 2024 when he was 54 years old. He was born in Kerala, India. He holded Indian nationality and his zodiac sign was Scorpio. He was found dead in a hotel room where he was staying for a serial shoot.
Date of Death | December 29, 2024 |
Age at Death | 54 |
Profession | Actor, Casting Director, Playwright |
Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
Weight | Approx. 75 kg |
Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
Eye Color | Brown |
Hair Color | Black |
Distinguishing Features | Warm smile and expressive eyes |
He was approximately 5 feet and 9 inches tall. He weighed around 75 kgs. He had brown hair and black short hair. He had a warm smile and expressive eyes. He had a charismatic appearance which was marked by his tall and sturdy fame. He was known for his natural acting style which made him a relatable figure both on screen and off screen.
Education of Dileep
Institution name | St. Albert’s College, Mahatma Gandhi University (MG University) |
Field of study | Arts |
He was born and raised in Kerala, India. He pursued his education at St. Albert’s College and later at Mahatma Gandhi University (MG University). These institutions are known for fostering artistic talent. He exhibited a keen interest in arts from a young age. He used to participate in college plays and extracurricular activities. His early exposure to threatre laid the foundation of his successful career.
Dileep’s Threater Journey

Dileep had a passion for storytelling and found a home in threatre when he wrote and directed 36 plays. His work delved with the complexities of human emotions and earned his critical acclaim. He directed the celebrated stage production Zangoora– The Gypsy Prince which was staged at the Kingdom of Dreams from 2010 to 2012.
Dileep Shankar Movies and Tv shows

He also received recognition as a casting director and contributed to several internationally acclaimed films. Some of his notable works are mentioned above. Have a look at them. His ability to identify talent and bring authentic characters to life made him a respected figure in the industry.
Year | Project |
---|---|
2001 | Monsoon Wedding |
2004 | Shadows of Time |
2007 | The Darjeeling Limited |
2012 | Life of Pi |
2009 | Delhi 6 |
2013 | Bhaag Milkha Bhaag |
Acting Career
Year | Project |
---|---|
2011 | Chaappa Kurish (role: Joppan) |
2013 | North 24 Kaatham |
2022-2023 | Ammayariyathe |
2024 | Etho Janma Kalpanayil |
He made his acting debut in the year 2011 through the Malayalam film Chaappa Kurish where he played the role of Joppan which earned him great recognition. He later appeared in films such as North 24 Kaatham (2013) which showed hisw versatility and depth as an actor. He was also involved in hit TV series such as Ammayariyathe (2022-2023) and Etho Janma Kalpanayil (2024). His spectacular performance later earned him the prestigious Satyajit Ray Mini Screen Award for best actor in 2024.
Dileep Shankar Wife and Children

Dileep and his family shared a strong bond with his family. He was married to Suma who support him throughout his journey. They both have two children: a daughter named Deva and a son named Dhruva. He was know for his warm and grounded personality and he ofen share his heartfelt moments with his family on social media.
Relation | Name |
---|---|
Wife | Suma |
Daughter | Deva |
Son | Dhruva |
Dileep Shankar Net Worth Insights
Net worth | 15 crore rupees (as of 2025) |
Income sources | Acting, casting direction |
Additional income sources | Threatre directing, playwriting |
In 2025, his estimated net worth was 15 crore rupees. Dileep Shankar’s primary sources of income included his work as an actor, casting director, and playwright. His diverse contributions to films, television, and theatre brought him both critical acclaim and financial stability.
The Death of Dileep Shankar

On December 29, 2024, Dileep Shankar was found dead in a hotel room in Thiruvanathapuram, where he was staying for a serial shoot. The sudden demise of Dileep sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Initial investigations found on signs of any foul play (murder or suicide) but the cause of death remained under examination. People were left with questions and want to know the reason for Dileep’s death.
What was the Dileep Shankar Death Reason?
The police first suspected that it was a suicide but this statement lacked evidence. The further investigations suggested that internal bleeding as the possible cause of death. The actor might have fallen and hit his head. His internal organs were spen for postmortem when the reports came, it reveal that the cause of death was internal bleeding.
Reportedly the death happened two days before and the hotel staff reported the case. The police discovered that the AC of the room was still functioning, hence, the body had not decomposed. There were no indications of unnatural death in the room.
Deelip’s Social Media Popularity

@dileepsankaractor | |
Not known | |
Twitter (X) | Not known |
He was quite active on instagram and had about 27 thousand followers. He used to share his personal and professional details through his instagram account.
Trivia
- Dileep directed 36 plays, a record among contemporary Indian playwrights.
- He received training in casting direction from acclaimed Hollywood professionals.
- His debut film Chaappa Kurish was inspire by a true story.
- Dileep preferred method acting for his roles.
- He was a guest lecturer in theatre at several universities in Kerala.
- North 24 Kaatham was one of his favorite films to work on.
- He loved photography and often clicked candid shots of co-stars.
- Dileep was a philanthropist and supported several arts education programs.
- He never missed a chance to perform at local cultural festivals in Kerala.
- Dileep’s favorite playwright was Shakespeare, citing Hamlet as his all-time favorite.
FAQs
A – October 29, 1970.
A – His wife’s name is Suma.
A – He had two children, Deva and Dhruva.
A – His role in Etho Janma Kalpanayil, which won him the Satyajit Ray Mini Screen Award.
A – Chaappa Kurish (2011).
A – 54 years old.
A – Yes, as a casting director in films like Life of Pi.
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