Malayalam Actor Innocent Thekkethala passes away at age of 75

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was being used to assist the former legislator.

Innocent, a renowned Malayalam actor and former MP, passed away on Sunday in a private hospital in Kochi. He was 75.

The actor, a cancer survivor, was brought to the hospital on March 3 with respiratory issues after apparently not feeling well for a while.

According to a statement from Kochi’s VPS Lakeshore Hospital, he passed away at 10.30 p.m. on Sunday. His son Sonnet and wife Alice both predeceased him.

The actor died, according to the hospital, as a result of a heart attack and other organs failing to work.

The actor received a cancer diagnosis a few years ago, but in 2015 he declared himself to be cancer-free. In his book, “Laughter in the Cancer Ward,” he wrote about his battle with cancer

The actor, whose latest appearance was in Prithviraj Sukumaran’s 2022 film “Kaduva,” has acted in more over 700 Malayalam films over the course of a career spanning five decades. Additionally, he has 12 years of straight service as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

Innocent, who is regarded as one of Malayalam cinema’s top comedians, has also played villains. Numerous moviegoers and imitation artists alike admired him for his distinctive voice and mannerisms.

CPI was represented by Innocent, a former member of the Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency.(M).

He was chosen to serve as a municipal councillor for the municipality of Irinjalakkuda in 1979.

As an independent candidate backed by the Left Democratic Front, he won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from the Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency. (LDF). From 2003 to 2018, Innocent presided over the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), a guild of Malayalam artists. In addition to writing for periodicals and newspapers, he has published novels based on his memories.

Innocent, who was born in Inrinjalakuda in 1948, made his acting debut in the 1972 film “Nrityashala,” which starred Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi.

He appeared in comedic parts in a number of films, including “Ramji Rao Speaking,” “Mannar Mathai Speaking,” “Kilukkam,” “Godfather,” “Vietnam Colony,” “Nadodikattu,” “Manichitrathazhu,” and “Kalyanaraman.”

As a character actor and villain, Innocent has excelled in films like “Keli” and “Kathodu Kathoram.” Kabooliwaala, Gajakesariyogam, Mithunam, Mazhavilkavadi, Manassinakkare, Thuruppugulan, Rasathanthram, Naran, and Mahasamudram were some of the additional movies.

His efforts, along with those of the A-list actors who appeared in these movies, were crucial to their success. Since 1980, 2020 is the only year he hasn’t appeared in any movies because of his cancer treatment.