Kochi : Innocent, a synonym of taintless smile in Malayalam film , is no more. The veteran actor breathed his last at 10:30 Sunday night. He was 75.
Innocent had battled cancer for ten long years. The end came at Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi from multi-organ failure following Covid complications and breathing difficulty that ended in cardiac arrest.
Innocent has acted in over 750 films in career that spans over four decades. In 2014, Innocent entered Parliament winning Chalakudy constituency on LDF ticket. He has also served as Municipal Councilor in Irinjalakuda. Innocent was president of the actors’ organisation AMMA for 12 years. The veteran actor last appeared in 2022 movie Tiger.
Innocent won State Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1989 for his performance in “Mahavilkavadi”. His movies “Vidaparanjyum mumbe(before saying farewell)” and “Ormakal(Memories_” have won State Award for second Best Movie. Innocent is recipient to several accolades including the Film Critics Award for Best Actor(for Patham Nilayile Theevandi) etc.
Innocent was born to iranjalakuda couple Thekethala Vareeth and Margalitha on 28 February 1948. He schooled at Little Flower Convent Irinjalakuda, did his high school at National HS and Donbosco SNH. He debuted in films in 1972 movie Nritha Shala followed by brief roles in movies like Jesus, Nell etc. He also later forayed into film production and made movies notable among which are Illakamanal, Vita Deyil Saidi, Orma Kayalil, Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback, Oruukatha Oru Nunakatha etc.
Innocent also played roles in Hindi films Malamal Weekly and Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, Kannada film Shikarai and Tamil film Liza Liza.
The actor is survived by wife Alice; Son : Sonnet. Daughter-in-law Rashmi; Siblings - Dr. Kuriakos, Adv Wells, Celine, Linta, Lena and Late Stanisalvos and Pauli.
