Kerala star couple Dileep-Manju Warrier's divorce proceedings begin

It's now official. Kerala's star couple Dileep and Manju Warrier's divorce proceedings have officially begun with the former filing a petition here Thursday seeking a divorce.

Dileep has filed a petition at the family court here seeking separation from his wife and also requested the court to see that the details of the petition and the case should not be published by the media citing a Supreme Court directive. The court agreed to his plea.

The two have been living separated for a while now and their teenage daughter now lives with Dileep.

The two got married in 1998 rpt 1998 after which Manju called time on her film career, while Dileep's career continued.

Last year when Manju, an experienced danseuse, re-launched her dancing career and acted alongside Amitabh Bachchan in a commercial advertisement, it was more or less clear that the two have decided to part and when she faced the arclights on the set of "How Old Are You", it became clear it was a matter of time before they began the official separation.

The court Thursday posted hearing on Dileep's petition for July 23 and asked Manju to also be present. On that day, the court will decide if there be need for an in camera hearing as requested by Dileep.

Meanwhile Dileep has also filed a caveat stating that in case Manju files a petition, he should be heard before the court admits it.

Manju, now 35, began her eventful career in 1995 and in a short span of four years acted in 20 films before their marriage in 1998.

Some of her best known films include "Sallapam", "Ee Puzhayum Kadannu", "Thooval Kottaram", "Kaliyattam", "Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu", "Daya", "Summer in Bethlehem" and "Pathram".

In her career, she won four Filmfare Awards South for Malayalam best actress and won the National Film Award - Special Jury Award for her performance in "Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu" in 1999.