Kochi, Nov 25: A Kerala court on Tuesday announced that it will pronounce its verdict on December 8 in the sensational 2017 actress abduction and assault case, in which popular Malayalam actor Dileep stands as the eighth accused, charged with criminal conspiracy.

The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court has directed all 10 accused to be present in the Court on December 8.

Dileep was arrested and spent several weeks in jail before getting bail in 2017.

The case stems from one of the most shocking incidents in Kerala’s recent history.

On February 17, 2017, a leading Malayalam actress was abducted and sexually assaulted inside a moving car while travelling from a film set in Thrissur to Kochi.

The prime accused, Sunil Kumar alias Pulsar Suni, was arrested soon after, along with his close associates, all alleged to be part of the assault plan.

After spending seven years in jail, Suni was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court.

Investigators state that Suni had been working on film shooting sets as a driver since 2010 and had known Dileep personally.

According to the police charge sheet, Dileep allegedly harboured deep personal resentment against the actress, accusing her of informing his former wife about his alleged relationship with another actor — a development that reportedly caused friction and led to marital upheaval.

The prosecution claims this strained personal equation led to a conspiracy, with Dileep purportedly seeking revenge by using Suni and his associates to intimidate and humiliate the actress.

Dileep, however, has consistently denied all allegations, claiming he has been framed.

The case, unprecedented for its combination of cinema and crime, has seen prolonged legal proceedings, high-stakes witness testimonies, multiple forensic examinations, allegations of evidence tampering, and intense media scrutiny over the years.

As the court moves toward the long-awaited verdict, the Malayalam film industry, legal observers, and the public are preparing for a judgment that could have far-reaching implications not just for the high-profile accused but for questions of justice, accountability, and the rights of survivors in India’s entertainment sector.

Mumbai, Nov 25: Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has shared a warm note for her cousin Armaan Jain on his birthday on Tuesday. Calling him her “darling bro”, the diva said she “can’t wait to celebrate soon.”

Taking to her Instagram stories, Kareena showered Armaan with love and good wishes, making the family moment a highlight for fans. She even shared a monochrome picture posing next to Armaan and his wife Anissa Malhotra.

For the caption, she wrote: “Happy birthday darling bro Love you loads and loads.Can’t wait to celebrate soon @therealarmaanjain.”

Kareena and Armaan are making headlines for the Netflix special “Dining with the Kapoors.”

The hour-long special brings together cousins, siblings, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and in-laws for a lively and candid celebration of family bonds. Directed by Smriti Mundhra and created by Armaan, “Dining with the Kapoors” offers a glimpse into the family’s cherished traditions.

One moment from the special showed Kareena Kapoor calling the family “funny, loving, and united,” while also highlighting their shared love for food. It was revealed that Armaan had organized the luncheon to commemorate what would have been Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary.

On the work front, Kareena was last seen in Singham Again starring Ajay Devgn. It also features Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor and Jackie Shroff.

Kareena is currently shooting for ‘Daayra’ with Meghna Gulzar and Prithviraj Sukumaran. “Daayra” delves deep into the complexities of today’s society, confronting urgent and unsettling truths that resonate with the times.

This gripping crime-drama thriller unravels the timeless conflict between crime, punishment, and justice, with Kareena and Prithviraj bringing raw intensity and gravitas to their powerful roles.

Following the success of “Sam Bahadur,” this marks Meghna’s next directorial venture, a gripping tale that brings together a powerhouse creative team and a compelling narrative.

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has landed in trouble after his recent remarks on Lord Hanuman during the launch event of his upcoming film Varanasi in Hyderabad on Saturday (November 15) sparked a major controversy. Soon after the launch, an FIR was registered against the acclaimed director for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

On Tuesday, November 18, the Saroornagar police in Hyderabad received a complaint from the Vanara Sena organisation, alleging that Rajamouli had hurt Hindu sentiments by saying, “I don’t believe in God Hanuman.”

The police added how they are currently investigating the matter.

As of now, SS Rajamouli has not reacted to the controversy.

At the event that was held at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, technical glitches prevented the teaser from being played. An emotional Rajamouli apologised to the 50,000-strong crowd, saying he felt as though he had been let down by Lord Hanuman.

“When my father talked about Hanuman and suggested relying on his blessings for success, I got so angry,” he said. The filmmaker also clarified that he does not believe in God.

He also mentioned that his wife, Rama, was a great devotee of Hanuman. “My wife has a great devotion to Lord Hanuman. She talks to Him like He’s her friend. I even got angry with her for a while. Let’s see,” said the director.

Soon after Rajamouli’s statement went viral on social media, netizens slammed him, with many expressing surprise, noting that his blockbuster films, including Baahubali and RRR, draw heavily from Hindu epics and mythology.

Varanasi stars Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Babu, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, and is slated for release in 2027.