‘NiI will be here even if your time is over’, These are the words spoken by Innocent while accepting the Asianet Film Award. When he finally departs leaving everyone in tears, those words become a nod to everyone.
There are rare actors who make fans feel like they are one of them as soon as they shine on the big screen. Innocent was one of the actors who deserved that title in Malayalam. The famous actor, who has forever brought laughter to Malayalis through his immortal characters, will always live in the hearts of every Malayali through the confidence he instilled through the characters he immortalized.
A few days ago, Innocent, who fought cancer twice and came back to life, was taken to the hospital after the disease worsened. Although his treatment continued with the help of life-saving equipment, Innocent passed away on March 26. People rushed to the VPS Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi after learning of the death of their beloved actor and colleague. Iran couldn’t bear the sadness in his eyes.
Thousands of people paid their respects at the body, which was brought for public viewing yesterday at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Kochi Kadavantra and later at the town hall of his hometown, Iringalakuda. Many shared his memories. Some held back their sobs, while others burst into tears. Many people stared helplessly at his lifeless body. Finally, Kalakerala gave farewell to Innocent, who was the laughingstock of Malayalam for half a century.
Forty-six years of happiness and sorrow were with him, and Alice’s whimpering brought tears to the eyes of those who saw it. Today, when I finally said goodbye to ‘Parpita’, the people cheered. Irangalakuda gave a tearful farewell to Innachan, who always held his own country close to him. When the best friends bid farewell to Innocent with a final kiss, it was the end of another era of acting in Malayalam cinema.
When the name Innocent is heard, many jokes, expressions and conversations come to the minds of Malayalees. Malayalees had such a close relationship with Innachan. Innocent’s look, expression and manner of speaking became memorized by the Malayalees. Innocent used to try to convey the innocence of the name in his conversations outside the film as well. That is why Innocent did not hesitate to openly admit that he has the natural jealousy and resentment. Today is a day to discipline colleagues and keep them together beyond the cinema.
After 46 years of love and happiness, Alice was finally left alone today
Innocent came to the silver screen in 1972 with the film ‘Nrithasala’ and grabbed attention as a comedian and character actor. Innocent’s unique body language and Thrissur-style dialogue were the hallmarks of Innocent. The entire Malayalam area has embraced the beloved actor. Later, Malayalees saw the best characters of all time in his acting prowess. which cannot be transmitted by anyone else. Innocent shined as a friend, brother and father along with leading stars like Mammootty, Mohanlal, Dileep, Jayaram, Suresh Gopi and others. The audience was entertained and thought provoking.
Innocent is a person who carried humor in his life like the characters portrayed. Otherwise, Innocent, who came back from seeing a disease that makes everyone tremble, would not have written a book called ‘Laughter in the Cancer Ward’. Nothing he said outside the film was just a joke. He used to present all the big visions about life by hiding them in small bubbles of humor. Those humors brought laughter and thought to those who were with them.
Now Chiriorma, farewell to the beloved Innocent, Kalakerala
During this period, Innocent proved that he is not only an actor but also a good politician. Innocent’s personality was not that of a film actor under the communist party. Innocent, who was given the opportunity to enter politics several times but turned it away due to his busy schedule, finally agreed to become a candidate in 2014. Innocent Vijaya of Chalakudy, where the UDF had an upper hand, was crowned the winner. In 2019, Benny lost to Bahnan. However, Innocent remains the favorite of Chalakudikas and Iringalakudikas. Therefore, they will remember Innachan as a ‘communist who will not change until death’.
What is left is a great laugh when the unique talent of Innocent passes away ending a film journey of five decades. The same laugh that Innocent used to laugh telling jokes. Even though Innachan was taken by death, he will surely live on forever through the characters he immortalized.
Last Updated Mar 28, 2023, 1:10 PM IST