As Dileep's movie hits theatres tomorrow, boycott calls echoes even as strong pre-sale figures emerge

Ernakulam: Actor Dileep who got a major relief in the actress assault case after he was acquitted by the Principal sessions court in Ernakulam is all set for the release of his latest Malayalam movie 'Bha Bha Ba' which is set to hit the screen on December 18.

While the court acquitted him due to a lack of evidence, many public organizations and social media campaigns argue the verdict is a "travesty of justice" and have urged audiences to shun the film in solidarity with the survivor.

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Multiple organizations in Kerala have launched formal boycott campaigns ahead of the film's December 18, 2025 release. Last week, a group of women on a Thiruvananthapuram-Kalpetta bus protested the screening of a film starring Dileep, forcing the crew to halt it—a move cited by media as representative of current public sentiment.

Dubbing artist and activist Bhagyalakshmi slammed superstar Mohanlal for his "insensitive" cameo in the film and for promoting it immediately after the acquittal.

Bha Bha Ba sees strong pre-release booking

Despite the boycotts, the film has seen strong pre-release buzz, with reports of over ₹1 crore in pre-sale tickets and more than 10,000 bookings per hour on online platforms.

Mohanlal faces backlash after appearing as cameo in the film

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal found himself at the centre of a fresh controversy after appearing in a cameo in ‘Bha Bha Ba’ along with actor Dileep.

The backlash erupted just days after Dileep was acquitted in the long-running 2017 actor assault case, reopening wounds and reigniting debates around accountability, power and solidarity in the Malayalam film industry.

The controversy began on December 10, when the trailer of 'Bha Bha Ba' was released— two days after a Kerala sessions court acquitted Dileep of masterminding the abduction and sexual assault of a fellow Malayalam actor.

Dileep fans to watch the movie at 8am

The movie, promoted as a mass comedy-action entertainer, benefits from a solo Christmas release and a special guest appearance by Mohanlal, which has further boosted hype. Online platforms have seen over ten thousand tickets booked per hour in the run-up to its release.

Directed by debutant Dhananjay Shankar, ‘Bha Bha Ba’ stars Dileep alongside Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan.

Written by Fahim Safar and Noorin Shereef, the film blends action, comedy, songs, and thrills, carrying the tagline “World of Madness”.

The title represents Bhayam Bhakthi Bahumanam—Fear, Devotion, and Respect. Fan shows are scheduled to begin from 8 am on December 18, aiming for a grand opening success across Kerala.