Innocent (actor)

Innocent Vareed Thekkethala (ഇന്നസെന്റ് വറീത് തെക്കേത്തല) (born 28 February 1945), popularly known as Innocent, is an Indian film actor and politician. He was born in Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district of Kerala, India. He is one of the most successful and leading comedy actors of Malayalam cinema. He is noted for his witty mannerisms and dialogue delivery in the typical Thrissur accent.^[1]

In 2013, Innocent was diagnosed with throat cancer (lymphoma) and was hospitalized.^[2] But sources close to him stated the cancer was in its early stages for which he duly took treatment.^[3] Innocent won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency, comprising 3 assembly constituencies in Thrissur district and 4 assembly constituencies of Ernakulam district, as an independent candidate supported by the Left Democratic Front.^[4]

Career

Innocent's mannerisms and diction is unique in Malayalam cinema and he wildly caught the attention of the Malayalam audience. This made him almost a phenomenon in the Malayalam comedy scene, also making him a hot favourite 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 make films without Innocent. He has proven his acting skills in serious and character roles in several films. He has been the president of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) for 12 years. He has held the post for the last four consecutive terms.^[5]

Innocent entered the film industry in 1972 with the movie Nrityashala. 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 500 films in a variety of roles, mainly in Malayalam. He has also acted in a few Tamil and Hindi films.

Innocent played key comedy roles in superhits like Ramji Rao Speaking, Mannar Mathai Speaking, Kilukkam, Godfather, Vietnam Colony, Nadodikattu and Devaasuram. Innocent has also excelled in character and villain roles such as Keli,Kathodu Kathoram.

He proved his skills in other serious roles with a touch of laughter in films such as Kabooliwaala, Gajakesariyogam, Mithunam, Mazhavilkavadi, Manassinakkare, Thuruppugulan, Rasathanthram, and Mahasamudram. His effort, along with that of the superstars who starred in these films, played an important role in their success. His pairing with K. P. A. C. Lalitha was highly successful in movies such as Ponn Muttayidunna Tharavu, My Dear Muthachchan, Godfather and Manichitrathazhu.

Innocent is one of the most imitated actors of Malayalam cinema and mimicry artistes have brought him closer to women and children among his fans. The best example of this can be seen in the widely popular Maveli (Mahabali) comedy cassettes which are brought out by various mimicry groups annually in association with the Onam festival of Kerala in the past few years. These cassettes parodies Mahabali, a benevolent King in Kerala's mythology who is supposed to visit his subjects in Kerala every lunar year on the day of Onam. These cassettes tend to portray Maveli as a comic King who gets into all sort of troubles – script makes use of many contemporary issues in Kerala – on his annual arrival in Kerala. Mimicry artistes uses Innocent's voice to represent Maveli and all his mannerisms and idiosyncrasies in speech are deftly mimicked to generate laughter in the audience.

Innocent's participation in stage shows guarantees him a leading role as an anchor or performer. His Kathaprasangam (oratory combined with poetry) Olayaal Menjoru is one of the regulars in Gulf stage shows.

Innocent has published his memoirs: Njan Innocent. He has published three other books: Mazha Kannadi (collection of short stories), Chirrikku Pinnil (an autobiography) and Cancer Wardile Chiri (Laughter in the Cancer Ward), an account of his experiences while undergoing treatment for throat cancer.^[6] Innocent also writes columns in magazines and newspapers.

Personal life

Innocent is born to Vareed Thekkethala and Margaret at Irinjalakuda, Kerala on February 28, 1945. He had his primary education from 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 after that. He has done many business like matchbox and leather business to make a living. Later he joined politics and became Municipal councilor of Irinjalakuda.^[7]

He is married to Alice and has a son Sonnet. Sonnet is married with two children Innocent Jr. and Anna. Junior Innocent has acted in a documentary as Innocent's childhood.^[8]

Political life

Innocent was the Thrissur District Secretary of the Revolutionary Socialist Party during the 1970s. He had contested in the Irinjalakkuda municipal council elections as Communist Party of India-backed candidate in 1979 and had won that election.^[4] 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.^[9] Innocent won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency in Thrissur district as an independent candidate supported by the LDF.^[4]

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards

• 1989 – Second Best Actor – Mazhavil Kavadi
• 1981 – Second Best Film (Producer) – Vida Parayum Munpe
• 1982 – Second Best Film (One of the 2 Producers) – 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
• 2013 – Lifetime Achievement Award^[10]

Other awards

• 2007 – Sathyan Award^[9]
• 2008 – Annual Malayalam Movie Award (Dubai) for Outstanding Performance
• 2013 – TTK Prestige-Vanitha Film Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award^[11]

Filmography

As an actor

Malayalam films

2015–1990

1970s–1980s

• Swagatham (1989) .... Labrador bhai
• Chakkikotha Chankaran (1989) .... Bhagavathar
• Innale (1989) .... Shankara Pillai
• Jathakam (1989) .... Kunjuraman
• Kaalal Pada (1989)
• Annakutty Kodambakkam Vilikkunnu(1989)..... Avarachan
• Utharam (1989)
• Aavanikunnile Kinnaripookkal(1989).... Keshava Pilla
• Mazhavil Kavadi (1989) .... Shankarankutty Menon
• News (1989) .... Bhargavan Pillai
• Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal (1989) .... Adiyodi
• Pradeshika Varthakal (1989) .... Kunjhambu nair
• Ramji Rao Speaking (1989) .... Mannar Mathai
• Vadakkunokkiyantram (1989)
• Antharjanam (1989)....Vathapally Varkey
• Varavelpu (1989) .... Chathutty
• Varnam (1989) .... Bhaskaran Pillai
• August 1 (1988)
• Dhwani (1988) .... Rappayi
• Moonnam Mura (1988) .... Kisan Jacob
• Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu (1988) .... Ramendra
• Pattana Pravesham (1988) .... Puthanpurackal Balan
• Ponn Muttyidunna Tharavu (1988)
• Simon Peter Ninakku Vendi(1988)..... Vaniyambadi Chandran
• Vellanakalude Nadu (1988)
• Witness (1988) .... Sankunni Nair
• Aaryan (1988)
• Puavrutham (1988) ... Kelu Nair
• Charavalayam(1988)...... Kumaran
• Oru Muthassi Katha (1988)....Thampuran
• Ayitham (1987) .... Joseph
• Thaniyavartanam (1987)
• Sreedharante Onnam Thirumurivu (1987) .... Sadasivan
• Jaalakam (1987) .... Gopi Kurup
• Nadodikkattu (1987) .... Balagopalan
• Oru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettam (1987)
• Sarvakalashala (1987)....Innachan
• Ponnumkudathinu Pottu (1987)
• Ivide Ellavarkkum Sukham (1987) .... Cheriyachen
• Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam (1987)
• Yagagni(1987).... Madhavan
• Itha Samayamayi (1987)
• Swathi Thirunal (1987) .... Krishna Ravu
• Ee Kaikalil (1986) .... Ittoopp
• Nyayavidhi (1986) .... Channar
• Rareeram (1986) .... Lonappan
• Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi (1986) .... Kuttan Pillai
• Dheem Tharikida Thom (1986)
• Ente Sonia (1986)
• Oridathu (1986) .... Dr Rajasekharan
• Ente Entethu Mathram (1986)
• Atham Chithira Chothi (1986).... Mathan
• Nilakurinhi Poothappol (1986) .... Kuttan Nair
• Revathikkoru Pavakkutty (1986) .... Bhasi Pillai
• Ice Cream (1986)....Police Inspector
• Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986) .... Kunji Kannan Nair
• Sunil Vayassu 20 (1986) .... Anthony
• Geetham (1986)
• Amme Bhagavathi (1986)
• Pappan Priyappetta Pappan (1986)
• Chidambaram (1986)
• Koodanayum Kaattu (1986)
• Prathyekam Sradhikkukka (1986) ...Pothachan
• Katturumbinum Kaathukuthu (1986)
• Oru Kadha Oru Nunakkadha (1986)
• Aavanaazhi (1986)
• Ithile Iniyum Varu (1986) ...Dasappan
• Naale Njangalude Vivaaham (1986)
• Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam (1986)
• Meenamaasathile Sooryan (1986)..... Adhikari
• Mizhineerppoovukal (1986)
• Illenjippookkal(1986).... Kaduvappara Pappu
• Vivahitare Itihile (1986) .... Kuriachan
• Oru Yugasandhya(1986).... Sreedharan Nair
• Gandhi Nagar second Street (1986) .... Policeman
• Chilambu (1986) .... Enashu
• Yuvajanotsavam (1986) .... Kunjunni Nair
• Kandu Kandarinju (1985) .... Thomas
• Kathodu Kathoram (1985) .... Kapyar
• Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar (1985) .... Ouseppu
• Ayanam (1985) .... Chakkunni
• Oru Nokku Kanan (1985) .... Innochen
• Akkare Ninnoru Maran (1985) .... Shankaran
• Meenamasathile Sooryan (1985) .... Adhikari
• Vasantha Sena (1985) .... Thirumeni
• Aram+Aram=Kinnaram (1985) .... Driver
• Puli Varunne Puli (1985)...Saami
• Avidathepole Ivideyum (1985)...
• Ambada Njaane (1985) .... Kumaran
• Irakal (1985)
• Punnaaram Chollicholli (1985)
• Archana Aaradhana (1985)
• Scene No 7 (1985)
• Daivatheyorthu (1985)
• Koottinilamkili (1984) .... Office Staff
• Pavam Poornima(1984).... Unnithan
• Panchavadi Palam (1984) .... Barabas
• Prathijnja (1983)
• Mouna Raagam (1983) ....Freddy/Valyappan
• Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla (1983) .... Film Producer
• Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback (1983)
• Ilakkangal (1982)
• Ormaykkaay (1982)
• Idavela (1982)
• Vida Parayum Munbe (1981)
• Kochu Kochu Thettukal (1980)
• Randu Pennkuttikal (1978)
• Nellu (1974)
• Jesus (1973)
• Urvasi Bhaarathi (1973)
• Football Champion (1973)^[12]
• Nrithashala (1972)

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)^[13]
• Kandallo - Sandram (1990)
• Kunukupenmaniye - Mr Butler (2000)
• Onnam Malakeri - Kalyanaraman (2002)
• Sundarakeralam - Doctor Innocentanu (2012)

References

Further reading

• Innocent (December 12, 2013). "Cancer Wardile Chiri". Mathrubhui Books. p. 127. ISBN 9788182661110. Retrieved October 28, 2014. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Innocent (actor).

• ഞാന്‍ ഇന്നസെന്‍റ് – Site Dedicated to Innocent
• Innocent at the Internet Movie Database
• Movie Index
• http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Innocent&limit=318

Members of the 16th Lok Sabha from Kerala State 15th LS Members 17th LS Members GE 2014 K. C. Venugopal P. K. Biju Dr A Sampath Innocent K V Thomas Joice George P. K. Sreemathy P. Karunakaran N. K. Premachandran Jose K Mani M. K. Raghavan E Ahamed Kodikunnil Suresh M B Rajesh Anto Antony E. T. Mohammed Basheer Shashi Tharoor C. N. Jayadevan Mullappally Ramachandran M I Shanavas Members of the 16th Lok Sabha from States: AP BH CT GA GJ HR HP JK JH KL KA MP MH OR PB RJ TN TG UP UT WB Northeast: AR AS MN ML MZ NL SK TR Union Territories: AN CH DN DD LD DL PY