KOCHI/THRISSUR: The body of actor and former MP Innocent was brought to Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Kadavanthra from Lakeshore Hospital for the public to pay homage. People can pay homage from 8 am to 11 am and then will be taken to his native place Irinjalakuda. After the public homage at Irinjalakuda Town Hall, the body will be brought home at 5 pm. The funeral will be held tomorrow at St Thomas Cathedral, Irinjalakuda at 10 am.

Innocent, a former Member of Parliament and former president of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists), who captivated Malayalees through various roles which was full of humor and seriousness for more than five decades, passed away at 10.30 pm last night. He was 75 years old.

Innocent was admitted to Lakeshore Hospital on March 2. He was being treated for cancer and had problems with his lungs, heart and kidneys. His condition remained critical for two weeks after being on ventilator and ICU. A medical board was convened by a team led by Innocent's cancer specialist Dr V P Gangadharan at 9 pm last night. The board at 10 pm decided to remove the life-sustaining Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) system as no hope was there. His death was confirmed at 10.30 pm. Actors like Mammootty, Mohanlal, Jayaram, Dileep and others reached the hospital after hearing his death.

He was subjected for chemotherapy after suffering from throat cancer in 2013. After recovering, he became active in films. Though he was stricken with cancer three times later, he returned to life with a smiling face. For 18 years he was the president of AMMA. He came to Parliament from Chalakudy in May 2014 with the support of LDF. He lost to Benny Behanan in 2019. He had served as the municipal councilor of Irinjalakuda.

He had acted in more than 700 films, and the roles he played, big and small, were lively and varied. He grew from comedian to character actor, antagonist and hero.

His first film released was Nrithsala in 1972. Innocent had also started Shatru Combines, a film production company along with David Katchapilly. The films released under this banner are Ilakangal, Vida Parayum Munpe, Ormmakkayi, Lekhayude Orum Maranam Oru Flash Back and Oru Katha Oru Nunakatha. He had acted in the films of popular directors like Priyadarshan, Sathyan Anthikad, Siddique Lal, Anil Babu, Kamal, Sibi Malail and I V Sasi.

His roles in Mazhavilkavadi, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, Thalayanamantram, Gandhi Nagar Second Street, Sasneham, No 20 Madras Mail, Malayogam, Ramjirao Speaking, Devasuram, Vesham, Mannar Mathai Speaking, Godfather, Vietnam Colony, Gajakesariyogam, Doctor Pashupathi, Ravana Prabhu, Manasinakkare, Kilukkam, Mithunam, Ayal Kathayezhuthukayanu etc were notable.

The actor was born on February 28, 1948 as the third son of Vareed Thekkethala and Margaret in Irinjalakuda. He had his primary education at Little Flower Convent Higher Secondary School, and Don Bosco Higher Secondary School. He discontinued his studies in the eighth standard.

He leaves behind his wife Alice, son Sonnet, daughter-in-law Reshmi and grandchildren Innocent Junior and Anna.

He had received state government’s award for best second actor (Mazhavilkavadi), Kerala State Film Critics Award (Pathan Nilayile Theevandi), Sathyan Puraskaram, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Comedy (Irinjalakudakku Chuttum). He has authored books such as Njan Innocent, Cancer Wardile Chiri, Mazhakannadi, Chirikku Pinnil, Kalante Delhi Yatra Anthicaud Vazhi, Innocentinte Ormakuruppukalum Alicinte Pachakavum. His book Cancer Wardile Chiri was translated into other languages.