Kochi: Veteran actor Innocent, 75, passed away tonight at a private hospital in Kochi where he was undergoing treatment for respiratory problems, media reports said.
Also a former Left backed independent parliamentarian, Innocent Vareed Thekkethala
successfully battled with cancer a few years back.
Innocent entered the film industry in 1972 with the movie Nrityashala. He produced a few films which were not successful.
He was involved in family business in Davangere. He worked in Malayalam, Hindi, English, Tamil and Kannada films.
He is noted for his comedy roles in most of his 750 odd films. He had also donned negative roles in Mazhavilkavadi, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, Ganamela among others.
A winner of three Kerala State Film Awards among others, he was the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) from 2003 to 2018. Innocent has written his books and has contributed articles in magazines and newspapers.
Innocent made a space for him in the Malayalam film industry competing with stalwarts like Jagathy Sreekumar. Innocent was always part of Priyadarshan, Satyan Anthikkad, Fazil and Kamal.
His roles in Ramji Rao Speaking, Mannar Mathai Speaking, Kilukkam, Godfather, Vietnam Colony, Nadodikattu, Manichitrathazhu, Kalyanaraman are unforgettable.
Other notable films include Kabooliwaala, Gajakesariyogam, Mithunam, Mazhavilkavadi, Manassinakkare, Thuruppugulan, Naran Rasathanthram, and Mahasamudram.
He had recovered from cancer due to which he did not appear in any films in 2020.
His body be kept at Kochi Indoor stadium from 8 am to 11 am on Monday for the public to pay homage. Later, the body will be kept at Irinjalakuda Town Hall from 12 pm to 3 pm and later at his residence from 3 pm.
The cremation will be held at Irinjalakuda Cathedral Church cemetery at 5 pm on Monday.
