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Innocent
Innocent in 2011
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office 5 June 2014 (2014-06-05) – 23 May 2019 (2019-05-23)
Preceded by	K. P. Dhanapalan
Succeeded by	Benny Behanan
Constituency	Chalakudy
Municipal councillor of Irinjalakuda
In office 1979 (1979)–1982 (1982)
Acting
In office 1972 (1972)–2023 (2023)
Personal details
Born	Innocent Vareed Thekkethala (1948-02-28)28 February 1948 Irinjalakuda, Kingdom of Cochin, Dominion of India
Died	26 March 2023(2023-03-26) (aged 75) Kochi, Kerala, India
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Alice ​(m. 1976)​
Children	1
Occupation	Actor writer politician producer singer
Years active	1972–2023

Innocent Vareed Thekkethala (28 February 1948 – 26 March 2023), known mononymously as Innocent, was an Indian actor, film producer, writer and politician. He predominantly worked in Malayalam films in addition to few Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and English films, mostly in comedic roles. In a career spanning more than five decades, he acted in more than 700 films and is considered one of the best comedians in Malayalam cinema. He also appeared in roles with negative shades such as in Mazhavilkavadi, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu and Ganamela. Innocent had won several awards, including Kerala State Film Award and Kerala Film Critics Award. He served as the Member of Parliament in the 16th Lok Sabha (2014-2019) of India representing Chalakudy constituency.

In 1979, he was elected as the municipal councilor of Irinjalakuda municipality. Innocent won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency as an independent candidate supported by the Left Democratic Front (LDF). Innocent served as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), a guild of Malayalam artists from 2003 to 2018.

In 2012, Innocent along with his wife, was diagnosed with throat cancer. After overcoming the first stage of cancer, he returned to the silver screen in 2013 with films like Geethanjali. Cancer Wardile Chiri (Laughter in the Cancer Ward) is a memoir written by Innocent while he was undergoing cancer treatment. Innocent wrote seven books based on his experiences at different phases of life with a humorous undertone. He has also contributed to columns in numerous magazines and newspapers. In 2020, Innocent won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Humour for his book Irinjalakudaku Chuttum.

Early life

Innocent was born on 28 February 1948 to Margaret and Vareed of the Thekkethala house in Irinjalakuda, Kingdom of Cochin (present-day Kerala). He was the fifth child and third son of his parents, who had eight children. He had his primary education at Little Flower Convent Higher Secondary School, Irinjalakuda, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Irinjalakuda, and Sree Sangameswara NSS School, Irinjalakuda. He studied till eighth grade and discontinued his studies as he could not cope with studying. Innocent went to Madras (then) for his acting career and worked there as a production executive.

During the emergency years, Innocent made his way to Davanagere and joined his cousins George (studying medicine at JJM Medical College), Davis, and his brother Sunny who were managing the Shamannur Match factory. Later, he became the proprietor of the factory. To get detailed insight into his early struggles and making of Innocent, the actor, please refer: My contemporary Cousin in thefreshblog.com

As Innocent was keen on the performance activities, he seized the opportunity to participate in Davangere, Kerala Samajam drama, and received audience approval in entertainment events.

Innocent left Davangere in 1974. He tried his hand at multiple businesses and jobs to eke out a living. From being a stationary owner to a wholesale sandal distributor to setting up a leather business to a cycle renting business to a cement supplier and also that of a coach cum manager of a volleyball team, a game he knew nothing about.

Growing up, he had a few conflicts with his father, Vareed, because his brothers continued to have an excellent education and became successful doctors, lawyers, and judges. After some time, he entered politics and became Municipal councilor of Irinjalakuda.

Film career

Innocent entered the film industry in 1972 with the movie Nritashala. At first, he produced a few serious offbeat films, but he was not successful. In the long span of his career, Innocent has worked in more than 700 films, mostly in comedy roles, predominantly in Malayalam. He has also acted in a few Tamil and Hindi films.

Innocent's mannerisms and diction is unique in Malayalam cinema and he wildly caught the attention of the Malayalam audience. This made him one of the best in the Malayalam comedy scene, also making him a hot favorite for mimicry artistes. His popularity can be gauged from the fact that many frontline directors in Malayalam (like Priyadarshan, Satyan Anthikkad, Fazil and Kamal) rarely made films without Innocent. He has proven his acting skills in serious and character roles in several films. He has been the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) for 12 years. He has held the post for the last four consecutive terms.

Innocent played has played many comedy roles in movies like Ramji Rao Speaking, Mannar Mathai Speaking, Kilukkam, Godfather, Vietnam Colony, Nadodikattu, Manichitrathazhu, Kalyanaraman, Chronic Bachelor etc. Innocent has also played several character and villain roles in movies such as Keli, Kathodu Kathoram.

Other films include Kabooliwaala, Gajakesariyogam, Mithunam, Mazhavilkavadi, Manassinakkare, Thuruppugulan, Rasathanthram,Naran and Mahasamudram. His pairing with K. P. A. C. Lalitha was highly successful. They have acted together in many movies such as Ponn Muttayidunna Tharavu, My Dear Muthachchan, Godfather and Manichitrathazhu. Philip's was his last film before his death in March 2023.

Books

Innocent has authored seven books: Njan Innocent, Cancer Wardile Chiri, Irinjalakudakku Chuttum (memoirs), Mazha Kannadi (collection of short stories), Chirrikku Pinnil (autobiography) and Kalante Delhi Yathra Anthikkad Vazhi are some of them. Cancer Wardile Chiri (Laughter in the Cancer Ward) is an account of his experiences while undergoing treatment for throat cancer. Irinjalakudakku Chuttum won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Humour in 2020.

Politics

Innocent was the Irinjalakkuda Mandalam Secretary of the Revolutionary Socialist Party during the 1970s. He had contested the Irinjalakkuda municipal council elections as Revolutionary Socialist Party-backed candidate in 1979 and had won that election. He was rumoured to be a Left Democratic Front (LDF)-supported independent candidate from the Irinjalakkuda assembly constituency in the 2006 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections but this did not happen. Innocent won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency in Thrissur district as an independent candidate supported by the LDF.

Innocent lost in the Lok Sabha elections 2019 to UDF candidate Benny Behanan.

Personal life

On 26 September 1976, Innocent married Alice; they had a son named Sonnet. Innocent Jr. and Anna are Sonnet's twin children. Childhood Innocent was played by Innocent Jr. in a documentary.

Illness and death

On 3 March 2023, Innocent was suddenly hospitalised after feeling ill. He was placed under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support after his condition turned for the worse. A cancer survivor, Innocent was in the hospital for nearly three weeks. He died at VPS Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, on 26 March 2023, at the age of 75 of complications from COVID-19 as confirmed by Dr. V. P. Gangadharan who was treating him.

Awards

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Kerala State Film Awards

• 1989 – Second Best Actor – Mazhavil Kavadi, Jaathakam
• 1981 – Second Best Film (Producer) – Vida Parayum Munpe
• 1982 – Second Best Film (Producer) – Ormakkayi

Kerala State Film Critics Award

• 2009 – Best Actor – Patham Nilayile Theevandi

Asianet Film Award

• 2001 – Supporting Actor Award – Ravanaprabhu
• 2004 – Supporting Actor Award – Vesham
• 2006 – Best Actor in a Comic Role – Rasathanthram, Yes Your Honour
• 2008 – Supporting Actor Award – Innathe Chintha Vishayam
• 2010 - Character Actor Award -Kadha Thudarunnu
• 2011 - Character Actor Award -Snehaveedu, Swapna Sanchari
• 2013 – Lifetime Achievement Award

Other awards

• 2004 – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam for Manassinakkare
• 2007 – Sathyan Award
• 2008 – Annual Malayalam Movie Award (Dubai) for Outstanding Performance
• 2013 – TTK Prestige-Vanitha Film Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2019 – He is Distributing Awards Realtors Investors Summit

Filmography

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As actor

Malayalam films

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Other language films

Story

• Pavam IA Ivachan (1994)
• Keerthanam (1995)

Producer

• Vida Parayum Munpe (1981)
• Ilakkangal (1982)
• Ormakkayi (1982)
• Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback (1983)

Playback singing

• Aanachandam – Gajakesariyogam (1990)
• Kandallo – Sandram (1990)
• Kunukupenmaniye – Mr Butler (2000)
• Onnam Malakeri – Kalyanaraman (2002)
• Chendakkoru kolundeda – Manassinakkare (2003)
• Sundarakeralam – Doctor Innocentanu (2012)
• SaMaGaReSa - Tsunami (2021)

Television

References

1. "Legendary actor Innocent passes away". The Times of India. 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
2. ^ "Versatile Innocent completes 50 years in Malayalam cinema". OnManorama. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
3. "Best Comedians of Mollywood". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
4. ^ "Innocent | National Portal of India". 25 February 2019. Archived from the original on 25 February 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
5. ^ "In Kerala, Left backs Independent Innocent". The Indian Express. 7 March 2014. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
6. "ചിരിച്ചും ചിന്തിച്ചും ചിരിപ്പിച്ചും ഇന്നസന്റ്‌" (in Malayalam). mangalam.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
7. "അഭിനയത്തിൽ മാത്രമല്ല, സംഘടനാ പാടവത്തിലും ഏറെ മുന്നിൽ; അമ്മയുടെ പ്രസിഡന്റായത് 18 വർഷം തുടർച്ചയായി". 24 News. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
8. "From wreaths to laughter: Innocent's inspirational journey through cancer". OnManorama. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
9. "Innocent apologises for actors' action". The Hindu. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2019 – via www.thehindu.com.
10. "Actor Innocent to call it quits as AMMA President at end of term". The News Minute. 31 March 2018. Archived from the original on 25 February 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
11. Muringatheri, Mini (27 March 2023). "A laughter that defeated even cancer". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
12. "Actor Innocent bags Kerala Sahitya Akademi's best humour award". OnManorama. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
13. "Actor Innocent's tombstone engraved with images of his evergreen characters". OnManorama. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
14. Daily, Keralakaumudi. "Innocent says wherever he goes seeking chance, they say one thing, later rode to Mysuru, do you know how much was his first remuneration?". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
15. "Innocent (1948-2023): Man who made Keralites laugh, Innocent takes his final bow". The Indian Express. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
16. "CINIDIARY - A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal". cinidiary.com. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
17. "ഇന്നസന്റ് ഓർമയായി; മടങ്ങുന്നത് ജനകീയനായ അഭിനേതാവ്". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
18. "Movies, Interviews". Manorama Online. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
19. "actor Innocent passed away". www.twentyfournews.com. 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
20. "ചിരി മാഞ്ഞു, ഇന്നസെൻ്റ് ഇനി ഓർമ്മ; അന്ത്യം കൊച്ചിയിലെ ആശുപത്രിയിൽ". Samayam Malayalam (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
21. Innocent (12 December 2013). Cancer Wardile Chiri. Mathrubhui Books. p. 127. ISBN 9788182661110. ASIN 8182659108 .
22. "Triumph of Innocence". Mathrubhumi. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
23. "Akademi fellowship for Sethu, Perumbadavam". The Hindu. 17 August 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
24. ^ "Innocent". 14 November 2007. Archived from the original on 23 March 2008.
25. "Mangalam Varika 15 Oct 2012". mangalamvarika.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
26. "Malayalam actor Innocent hospitalised, in serious condition". gulfnews.com. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
27. "നടൻ ഇന്നസെന്റ് അന്തരിച്ചു". 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
28. "ചിരി മാഞ്ഞു, കഥാപാത്രങ്ങൾ അനശ്വരം; ഇന്നസെന്റ് ഇനിയില്ല". Mathrubhumi. 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
29. "Innocent, Malayalam Actor And Former Lok Sabha MP, Dies At 75". NDTV.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
30. "16th Ujala Asianet Film Awards 2014 – Winners List". Metromatinee.com. 11 January 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
31. "TTK Prestige-Vanitha Film Awards: Shobhana, Prithviraj win best actor, actress awards". Kerala9.com. 20 January 2014. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
32. വിജയനെ അന്വേഷിച്ചിറങ്ങിയാണോ? ഇന്നസെന്റിനോട്‌ ഇങ്ങനെ ചോദിക്കല്ലേ [Are you looking for Vijayan? Don't ask Innocent that question.]. Mangalam (in Malayalam). 8 August 2014. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014.
33. "Panthayakuthira Movie". MalayalaSangethamInfo. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
34. "Fashion Parade Movie". MalayalaSangethamInfo. 26 February 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
35. "Aana Alaralodalaral movie review". Times of India. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
36. "Marakkar review: Mohanlal film is visually stunning, badly written". The News Minute. 2 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
37. "Teaser for Mukesh-starrer Phillip's is out". Cinema Express. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
38. "List of Malayalam Songs by Singers Innocent". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2015.

Further reading

• Innocent (12 December 2013). Cancer Wardile Chiri. Mathrubhumi Books. p. 127. ISBN 9788182661110. ASIN 8182659108 .

External links

• Innocent at IMDb
• Movie Index
• Profile of Malayalam Actor Innocent
• 16th LS member from Kerala

• Biography

• Media from Commons
• Data from Wikidata

• 1948 births
• 2023 deaths
• Indian male comedians
• People from Irinjalakuda
• Indian male film actors
• Male actors from Kerala
• Kerala State Film Award winners
• People from Thrissur
• Filmfare Awards South winners
• India MPs 2014–2019
• Independent politicians in India
• Indian actor-politicians
• Kerala municipal councillors
• Malayalam comedians
• 20th-century Indian male actors
• Kerala politicians
• Revolutionary Socialist Party (India) politicians
• People from Chalakudy
• Politicians from Thrissur
• Male actors in Kannada cinema
• Male actors in Hindi cinema
• Male actors in Tamil cinema
• Male actors in Malayalam cinema
• 21st-century Indian male actors
• Malayalam screenwriters
• Malayalam playback singers
• Malayalam film producers
• Film producers from Kerala
• Male actors from Thrissur
• Male actors in Malayalam television
• Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award
• Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India
• Kerala Film Critics Awards winners