Top 5 Regional cinema news of the day: Dileep not guilty in assault case; OTT release date for 'Kaantha'; actor Kalyan Chatterjee no more

A dramatic day in regional entertainment unfolded with major developments across Malayalam and Tamil–Telugu, Gujarati crossover cinema and the Bengali film fraternity. From a landmark court ruling to box-office records and a heartfelt farewell to a veteran star, here are the top stories for the day.The Kerala actress assault case finally reached a legal conclusion after eight years of nationwide attention. Actor Dileep was declared not guilty by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court. Reportedly, the court ruled that the prosecution failed to produce legally sustainable evidence proving Dileep’s involvement or conspiracy in the 2017 crime.Meanwhile, the Dulquer Salmaan-led thriller Kaantha, which released on November 14, 2025, is preparing for an OTT release. Netflix has now officially scheduled its digital premiere for December 12, 2025, in five languages—Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi.At the box office, Mammootty’s crime thriller Kalamkaval continues to roar with an India net of Rs 16.35 crore in just three days. According to the Sacnilk website, the film registered its highest single-day performance on Sunday.However, the day also brought sorrow to Indian cinema, as Bengali actor Kalyan Chatterjee passed away at 81. With a career spanning over 400 films, his contribution helped shape the golden era of Bengali cinema. Condolences have poured in from artists, fans, and film bodies alike.The popular Garba icon Kinjal Dave announced her engagement on December 6, 2025, by sharing a special video from the ceremony on her Facebook and Instagram pages. Kinjal got engaged to actor and businessman Dhruvin Shah. The couple shared a vibrant engagement video via her Instagram handle and penned a heartwarming caption that read, “God’s Plan.”