A memory that forgets nothing; A genius who had a weapon in his hand to overcome any crisis

by time news

Innocent called at eleven o’clock at night and asked: ‘Can I get two blue plastic sheets?’

‘Tonight?’.

‘Yes, before dawn’.

Without waiting for a reply, he began to explain: ‘Satyan’s (Sathyan Anthikad) son’s movie released today is a hit. Fahadh Faasil, the second of the twins, has been roped in to do the film. In other words, three commercial directors are in the same house. With that, their behavior will change. We don’t know anything. If I pitched a tent in front of his gate before dawn, all three would see me when I came out. Then some role will be given. There is no other way. When I became an MP, all the bribes I got were gone…’

The joy of his dearest friend’s son’s film being a hit keeps Innocent awake at 11 p.m. Innocent is like that. Any planter can find happiness anywhere. Most of the time he would call Mohanlal, Priyadarshan and Sathyan Anthikad to tell the story. Priyadarshan often asked him where he got such stories from.

Even when he got infected and was taken to the ICU during the Covid period, Innocent shouted: ‘It is a competition between cancer and Covid. No one has won yet. The rest of the game is in the ICU. I’m going to be the referee. See you when you come back.’

He behaved with the same attitude even during his rejoicing. When Kodiyeri came to see Balakrishnan a month after he was elected MP, he said: ‘There is a small problem at home. Must help.’

Kodiyeri asked what is the problem.

LC will call every morning. Eight and ten LCs. As it has become a habit, his wife Alice is afraid. She is afraid that I have started a new relationship after coming to our party.’

Kodiyeri got up and hugged him and said:

‘LC won’t call anymore. If you get a call from DC, just go.’

CPM Local Committee is called LC in party parlance. It became difficult for Innocent as the calls for the program started coming continuously. The wife also has to pick up the phone. There was also the discomfort of the disease. Doctors had also warned that traveling would be a problem. With that, the committee was instructed not to call Innocent directly to the program. His programs are decided by the District Committee (DC).

Two days before Amma’s show is to be held in Dubai, when everyone starts flying from Kochi, we get the information that Innocent is not coming. He also said not to tell anyone for now.

When called, Innocent said: ‘Alice has the same wish, to be like me.’

‘Let my sister come to Dubai too.’

‘No, I have cancer. For some days now, Vashi has been saying that she wants it too. When I got checked two days ago, I realized that it was cancer. He is now happily at home. It would not be right if I came at this happy hour.’

Innocent was the type of person who laughed even when suffering was imminent. There is no fear.

Before submitting the nomination papers for the election, he went to his father’s grave and prayed. On his return he said privately, ‘It is good that you are in the grave. He would have been held accountable for wasting his time by going to a person who did not have a vote and seeking blessings.’

A Malayalam director got Rs 10 lakh through a court order while fighting with film associations. He got it as a reward for having his name in the story of a movie released 25 years ago. The story was later sold into many languages. In fact, he was the co-director and had nothing to do with the story. Named by someone for friendship. When everyone made fun, Innocent said, ‘I will not make fun. Because this is the money God gave him. God will ask if I am kidding, I will give my money to whoever I want. To whom should he ask this? With that, the money I get will be cut.’

Innocent’s photography was a memory. Even fourth grade material was remembered at the age of 70. Hearing the name of the children sitting on each bench, Mohanlal once asked, ‘Can you tell me from the first bench backwards’? Innocent said without fail. After two hours, when I asked him again, Innocent told me without making a single mistake.

He remembered the names of teachers, classmates, people who walked with him, church fathers and even the names of three people who were the municipal secretary when he was a councillor. He used to visit teachers at their homes. He surprised many teachers by appearing in Bengaluru, Wayanad and California.

During cancer treatment, when many people sent me medicine in powders and vials, he threw it all under the plants. Always follow approved medical judgment only.

He asked for permission to step down several times while his mother was being elected president several times. Not a single person supported. He helped the sick and the needy. When Amma was dragged into unnecessary controversy, he said, ‘There will be no press conference after the Amma meeting, only tea and cake.’

Innocent often rewarded the actors by calling back those who drowned without paying. He called the actors who said they could not dub without paying them and asked them to cooperate. Innocent was ready for any compromise to release the film.

When Mohanlal and Mammootty quarreled with Sukumar Azhik for various reasons, Innocent called Sukumar Azhik on the phone one day. With that he calmed down. Innocent had a weapon to overcome any crisis; Cleverness learned from the streets and among the people.

Innocent was the one who always settled the dispute in star families. You will listen to what both of them have to say for hours. In the end, Innocent will be the one to decide. For many, he was the reason for the family. He was a keeper of secrets.

Once during a safari in Africa, the vehicle he was riding in got bogged down in a heavy rain. It started raining well. As night fell, everyone in the van started praying. Only Innocent sat there as if nothing had happened. It is a place where wild animals come. There is no escape route in the area. Due to the heavy rain, the wireless radio in the van was also damaged. Seeing Innocent’s expression, his wife Alice got angry.

‘Alice,’ said Innocent, ‘it will be a great name for the family in the future if any beast comes and knocks us both down. If you die from a bull or dog bite in Iringalakuda or Kochi, who cares? If it happens here, generations will say that our father was caught by a tiger in Africa. It will be a big name.’ Innocent was smiling even when death was imminent.

Mohanlal said, ‘He had an accident in his childhood and lost some fluid in his brain. If he had that, he would have captured India.”He was close to Shivaji Ganesan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajkumar, NT Rama Rao, Nageswara Rao, Rajinikanth and even a boy who appeared in a Malayalam film. Every time he came home from the hospital, Innocent would call at night. Start by saying ‘This schedule is over..’ This time there is no schedule left. That name does not appear on the phone of many people who need it at night.

Singing Innocent

Although not a singer, Innocent has sung in a few films. In 1990, she sang the song ‘Anachantham Ganapati Melachantam’ in the film ‘Gajakesariogam’ and the song ‘Kandallo Ponkurishullaru’ in the film ‘Sandram’ in the tune of Johnson.

In 2000, he sang the song ‘Kunuku Fennymaniye’ for the movie ‘Mr. Butler’ in the tune of Vidyasagar, in 2012 he sang ‘Sundara Keralam Namnak’ in the music of Santhosh Verma in the movie ‘Doctor Innocent’ and in 2021 he sang the songs ‘Samagarisa’ in the movie ‘Tsunami’.

Do you know this?

Films produced by Innocent in collaboration with David Kachapalli

1981 – Vidaparaum Pravabe – Directed by Mohan

1982 – Ilakamal – Directed by Mohan

1982 – For Remembering – Directed by Bharathan

1983 – Lekha’s Death in a Flashback – Directed by KG George

1986 – Oru Katha Oru Nunakatha – Directed by Mohan

Paavam IA Aivachan and Keerthanam were written by Innocent.

The films Doctor Pashupati, Inchakadan Matthai and Sakshal Sriman Chathunni starred in the title role of Innocent.

English Summary: Remembering actor Innocent

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