PM Modi condoles former MP’s death

Kochi: Veteran Malayalam actor and former Member of Parliament (MP) Innocent died following non-functioning of many organs and heart attack at a private hospital in Kochi at 10.30 pm on Sunday. He was 75.

The actor, a cancer survivor, was reportedly not keeping well for some time and was admitted to the hospital on Mar. 3 with respiratory problems.

He is survived by his wife Alice and a son Sonnet. Born in Inrinjalakuda in 1948, Innocent entered film industry in 1972 with the movie ‘Nrityashala’ starring Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi.

Funeral will be held at 10 am tomorrow (Mar. 28) at St. Thomas Cathedral in Irinjalakuda.

The actor, who was last seen in Prithviraj Sukumaran’s 2022 film ‘Kaduva’, has done over 700 films in Malayalam in a career that spanned over five decades.

A former MP from the Chalakudy Lok Sabha Constituency, Innocent represented CPI(M). In 1979, he was elected as the Municipal Councillor of Irinjalakkuda Municipality.

He 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 Artistes (AMMA), a guild of Malayalam artistes from 2003 to 2018. He has written books (about his battle with cancer ‘Laughter in the Cancer Ward’) based on his memories and columns in magazines and newspapers.

Condolences: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the death of noted actor. In a tweet, the PM said, “Pained by the passing away of noted actor and former MP Shri Innocent Vareed Thekkethala. He will be remembered for enthralling audiences and filling people’s lives with humour. Condolences to his family and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.”

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, several actors including Dileep, Khushbu Sundar, Dulquer Salmaan and politicians have condoled the death of the veteran actor.