Innocent (actor)

Innocent Vareed Thekkethala (born 28 February 1948), better known mononymously as Innocent, is an Indian film actor and politician. He served as the Member of Parliament in the 16th Lok Sabha of India representing Chalakudy constituency. He predominantly works in Malayalam cinema in addition to Bollywood, English, Tamil, and Kannada films, mostly in comedic roles. He has acted in more than 750 films and has won several awards, including three Kerala State Film Awards.

Innocent
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
16 May 2014 – 23 May 2019
Preceded byK. P. Dhanapalan
Succeeded byBenny Behanan
ConstituencyChalakudy
Municipal Councillor of Irinjalakuda
Assumed office
1979
Personal details
Born
Innocent Vareed Thekkethala

(1948-02-28) 28 February 1948[1]
Irinjalakuda,Thrissur, Travancore-Cochin (present-day Kerala), India
Spouse(s)
Alice
(
m. 1976)
Children1
Occupation
  • Actor
  • writer
  • politician

In 1979, he was elected as the Municipal Councillor of Irinjalakuda municipality. Innocent won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency as an independent candidate supported by the Left Democratic Front (LDF).[2] Innocent served as the President of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), a guild of Malayalam artists from 2003 to 2018. He has written books based on his memoirs, and columns in magazines and newspapers.[3][4][5][6][7]

Early life

Innocent was born on 28 February 1948 to Vareed Thekkethala and Margaret in Irinjalakuda, Travancore-Cochin (present-day Kerala), India.[8] 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 as he could not cope with studying. Innocent went to Madras (then) for his acting career and worked there as a production executive and during that time he acted in a minor role in the movie Nellu, which was one of his earlier movies. He fell ill, and came to Davangere in the 1970s for treatment for Typhoid, where his cousins George (studying medicine at JJM Medical College), Davis and his brother Sunny were running the Shamannur Match factory, at Davangere. Later, he was an active partner in the working of the factory. As Innocent was keen on the performance activities, he seized the opportunity to participate in Davangere, Kerala Samajam drama and received audience approval in entertainment events.

He left Davangere in 1974, set up a leather business, then a cycle renting business to make a living. Growing up, he had a few conflicts with his father, Vareed, because his brothers continued to have an excellent education and became successful doctors, lawyers, and judges. After some time, he joined politics and became Municipal councilor of Irinjalakuda.[9]

Film 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.[10]

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 artists 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 satirise 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 (Mahabali) as a comic King who gets into all sort of troubles – the 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.[11] Innocent also writes columns in magazines and newspapers.

Politics

Innocent was the Thrissur District Secretary of the Revolutionary Socialist Party during the 1970s. He had contested in the Irinjalakkuda municipal council elections as Revolutionary Socialist Party-backed candidate in 1979 and had won that election.[2] 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.[12] Innocent won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency in Thrissur district as an independent candidate supported by the LDF.[2]

He lost in the Lok sabha elections 2019 with a margin of 132274 votes to UDF candidate Benny Behanan.

Personal life

He married Alice on September 26, 1976 and had a son Sonnet. Sonnet is married, with two children, Innocent Jr and Anna. Jr. Innocent has acted in a documentary as Innocent in childhood.[13] Both Innocent and his wife are cancer survivors.

Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Kerala State Film Critics Award
  • 2009 – Best Actor – Patham Nilayile Theevandi
Asianet Film Award
Other awards
  • 2007 – Sathyan Award[12]
  • 2008 – Annual Malayalam Movie Award (Dubai) for Outstanding Performance
  • 2013 – TTK Prestige-Vanitha Film Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2019 –He is Distributing Awards Realtors Investors Summit[15]

Partial Filmography

As actor
Malayalam films
Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
No. Year Title Role Notes
1 2019 Gaanagandharvan Appukutta Panicker
2 Driving License(As himself) Guest Appearance
2 Lonappante MamodeesaSchool Teacher Guest Appearance
3 Irupathiyonnaam NoottaanduBishop
4 2018OdiyanGopi Mash
5 Suvarna PurushanRappayi
6 Njan MarykuttyPriest
7 Kuttanadan Marpappa

Ummachan
8 2017Aana AlaralodalaralPathrose
9 GandhiNagaril Unniyarcha
10 Pullikkaran StaraaOmanakshan Pillai
11 Jomonte SuvisheshangalPalodan
12 2016Swarna KaduvaLolappan
13 2015KanalNatesan
14 Urumbukal UrangarillaMadhavettan
15 Ennum EppozhumKariyachan
16 2014Thomson VillaPriest
17 Aamayum MuyalumNallavan
18 Nagara Varidhi Naduvil NjanDavis
19 Njangalude Veettile Athidhikal
20 Bhaiyya BhaiyyaKochuveettil Chacko
21 Polytechnic
22 Malayalakkara Residency
23 Mannar Mathai Speaking 2Mannar Mathai
24 2013Philips and the Monkey PenGod
25 GeethaanjaliThankappan
26 Punyalan AgarbattisJohn Thakkolkaran
27 Oru Indian PranayakathaUthup Vallikkadan
28 2012Puthiya TheerangalFather Michael
29 Husbands in GoaNadar (TTE)
30 ArikeKalpana's father
31 Bhoopadathil Illatha OridamPolice Officer
32 Perinoru MakanHarischandran
33 Mullassery Madhavan Kutty Nemom P. O.
34 KaashhDevasiya
35 ChattakaariMorris
36 Naughty ProfessorMulavarikkal Francis
37 Doctor Innocent aanuDoctor Bargavan Pillai
38 2011SnehaveeduMathai
39 Living TogetherKrishnaprasad Kartha
40 Doctor LoveSathyasheelan
41 Pachuvum KovalanumBhadranpillai
42 Oru MarubhoomikkadhaMathayi
43 Swapna SanchariAchuthan Nair
44 2010Marykkundoru KunjaaduIttichan Muthalali
45 CocktailKalyan Krishnan
46 Oridathoru PostmanGangadharan
47 Pappy AppachaNirappel Mathai
48 Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum
49 Again Kasargod Khader BhaiFather Francis Tharakan
50 Kanyakumari ExpressMinister
51 AagathanLawrence
52 Kadha ThudarunnuLasar
53 Pranchiyettan & the SaintVasu Menon
54 2009Patham Nilayile Theevandi
55 Ee Pattanathil Bhootham Krishnan
56 Bhagyadevatha
57 Duplicate (2009 film)P Suresh
58 2008Twenty:20
59 Veruthe Oru Bharya
60 Madampi

Karayogam President
61 JubileeThomas Kora
62 Innathe Chintha VishayamEmmanuel
63 Calcutta NewsKerala samajam president
64 2007Katha ParayumbolEepachan Muthalali
65 Ali BhaiKhalid Ahemmed Sayivu
66 Mission 90 Days
67 Inspector GarudRaghavan
68 2006Baba KalyaniCar Dealer
69 Mahasamudram
70 Thuruppu GulanKochu Thoma
71 Kilukkam KilukilukkamKittunni
72 RasathanthramManikandan Aashari
73 Malamaal WeeklyJoseph Anthony Fernandes
74 2005Bus ConductorMajeed
75 ThanmathraSukumaran Nair
76 NaranKelappan
77 UdayonRarichan
78 Thaskara VeeranEappachan
79 Achuvinte AmmaPaulose
80 2004Made in USAProf. Ponnachan PHD
81 VeshamPappan
82 MaampazhakkaalamChandran's Uncle
83 GreetingsAravindakshan Nair
84 KaazhchaFr. Kuriakose
85 ChitrakoodamBalan
86 VettamK. T. Mathew
87 WantedUnni's Uncle
88 Vamanapuram Bus RouteChandran Pillai
89 ThalamelamKunjukuttan Thampuran
90 2003ManassinakkareChacko Mappila
91 AmmakilikkooduEradi
92 PattalamSivasankaran Nair
93 BalettanAchumama
94 VellithiraIttiyavira
95 Chronic BachelorKuruvilla
96 2002KalyanaramanPonjikkara Kesavan
97 NammalShanmughan
98 NandanamKesavan Nair
99 Yathrakarude SradhakkuPaul
100 Jagathi Jagathish in TownNeelakandan
101 PhantomThe Priest
102 Savithriyute AranjanamRavunni
103 SnehithanDevassy
104 2001IshtamNarayanan
105 RavanaprabhuWarrier
106 UthamanChacko Cherian
107 Narendran Makan Jayakanthan VakaJohnny Vellikala
108 Kakkakuyil
109 Nakshathragal ParayathirunnathuGovinda Kamath
110 2000Kochu Kochu SanthoshangalJose
111 Life Is BeautifulNambiar
112 Mr. ButlerCaptain K.G.Nair
113 ValliettanRamankutty Kaimal
114 1999Aakasha Ganga
115 Chandranudikkunna Dikhil
116 Udayapuram SulthanGovindan Nair
117 UstaadKunji Palu
118 1998Ayal Kadha EzhuthukayanuMaamachan
119 Chinthavishtayaya ShyamalaAchuthan Nair
120 HarikrishnansSundaran
121 VismayamNarayanan
122 1997ChandralekhaIravi
123 Aniyathi PravuChellappan
124 Kalyana UnnikalAnthrayose
125 IshtadanamAdvocate Dharmapalalan Thambi
126 Superman Kochunni
127 1996HitlerMadhavan Kutty's father
128 Excuse Me Ethu Collegila
129 Kireedamillatha RajakkanmarBharathan
130 Kudumbakodathi
131 HarbourFather Sebastian
132 Thooval KottaramRadhakrishnan
133 1995KusruthikaatuIndira's Father
134 Mangalam Veettil Manaseswari GuptaNarayanankutty
135 Mannar Mathai SpeakingMannar Mathai
136 Pai BrothersGanapathi Pai
137 ThirumanassuKunjan Pillai Raman Nair
138 Puthukottyile Puthu ManavalanPillai
139 1994BheesmacharyaRaghavan
140 Santhanagopalam
141 PaksheInashu
142 RajadhaniS.I. K.D.Damodharan
143 Pavam I.A. Ivachan
144 Chanakya SoothrangalKuttan Pilla
145 PavithramErussery
146 PingamiIyengar
147 1993AagneyamPappachan
149 DevaasuramWarrier
149 Injakkadan Mathai & SonsInchakkadan Mathai
150 KabuliwalaKannas
151 ManichithrathazhuUnnithan
152 MidhunamKurup
153 Sakshal Sreeman Chathunni
154 Sandhesham
155 Vietnam ColonyK. K. Joseph
156 1992Kizhakkan Pathrose
157 AayushkalamGopala Menon
158 Ennodishtam KoodamoFamily Doctor
159 Makkal Mahathmayam
160 MaloottySankaran
161 My Dear MuthachanK. P. Adiyodi
162 Nakshthrakoodaram
163 Kasargode KhaderbhaiFr. Tharakandam
164 Ente Ponnu ThampuranVarkey
165 Snehasagaram
166 Utsava Melam
167 AparathaLonappan
168 1991Anaswaram
169 Agni NilavuSakuni
170 Kanalkkattu
171 Aakasha Kottayile SultanDr. Chenthrappinni
172 AdwaithamSeshadri Iyer
173 Amina TailorsLonappan Mashu
174 Apoorvam Chilar
175 GanamelaSreedhara Panikkar
176 GodfatherSwaminathan
177 Kadinjool KalyanamPanikkar
178 Keli (film)Lazer
179 KilukkamKittunni
180 KilukkampettiScariah
181 Kuttapathram
182 EagleAppukuttan/Murugadas
183 MaydinamOuseph
184 Mimics ParadeFr. Tharakkandam
185 Oru Tharam Randu Tharam Moonu TharamAdithya Pilla
186 Pookkalam VaravayiPothuval
187 SandesamYaswanth Sahai
188 UlladakkamKunjachan
189 Kizhakkunarum PakshiGirijavallabha Panikkar
190 1990Anantha VruthanthamPadmanabhan
191 KalikkalamVelayil Chandy
192 Kottayam KunjachanMikhael
193 No.20 Madras MailNarayanan Nadar
194 Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum
195 Dr. PasupathyDr. Pasupathi/Bhairavan
196 Kouthuka VarthakalSuryanarayana Iyer
197 Pavakkooth
198 Malayogam
199 MukhamAnthony
200 Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam
201 Ottayal Pattalam
202 GajakesariyogamAyyappan Nair
203 RajavazhchaIttoopp
204 SaandhramPaulo
205 SasnehamEanasu
206 Subhayathra
207 SuperstarDevasyya
208 ThalayanamanthramDaniel
209 Thooval Sparsam
210 1989SwagathamLabrador bhai
211 Chakkikotha ChankaranBhagavathar
212 InnaleShankara Pillai
213 JathakamKunjuraman
214 Kaalal Pada
215 Annakutty Kodambakkam VilikkunnuAvarachan
216 Utharam
217 Aavanikunnile KinnaripookkalKeshava Pilla
218 Mazhavil KavadiShankarankutty Menon
219 NewsBhargavan Pillai
220 Peruvannapurathe VisheshangalAdiyodi
221 Pradeshika VarthakalKunjhambu Nair
222 Ramji Rao SpeakingMannar Mathai
223 Vadakkunokkiyantram
224 AntharjanamVathapally Varkey
225 VaravelpuChathutty
226 VarnamBhaskaran Pillai
227 1988August 1
228 DhwaniRappayi
229 Moonnam MuraKisan Jacob
230 Mukunthetta Sumitra VilikkunnuRamendra
231 Pattana PraveshamPuthanpurackal Balan
232 Ponn Muttyidunna TharavuP.V. Panikkar
233 Simon Peter Ninakku VendiVaniyambadi Chandran
234 Vellanakalude Nadu
235 WitnessSankunni Nair
236 Aryan
237 PuavruthamKelu Nair
238 CharavalayamKumaran
239 Oru Muthassi KathaThampuran
240 1987AyithamJoseph
241 Thaniyavarthanam
242 Sreedharante Onnam ThirumurivuSadasivan
243 JaalakamGopi Kurup
244 NadodikkattuBalagopalan
245 Oru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettam
246 SarvakalashalaInnachan
247 Ponnumkudathinu Pottu
248 Ivide Ellavarkkum SukhamCheriyachen
249 Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam
250 YagagniMadhavan
251 Itha Samayamayi
252 Swathi ThirunalKrishna Ravu
253 1986Ee KaikalilIttoopp
254 NyayavidhiChannar
255 RareeramLonappan
256 Ayalvasi Oru DaridravasiKuttan Pillai
257 Dheem Tharikida Thom
258 Ente Sonia
259 OridathuDr Rajasekharan
260 Ente Entethu Mathram
261 Atham Chithira ChothiMathan
262 Nilakurinhi PoothappolKuttan Nair
263 Revathikkoru PavakkuttyBhasi Pillai
264 Ice CreamPolice Inspector
265 Sanmanassullavarkku SamadhanamKunji Kannan Nair
266 Sunil Vayassu 20Anthony
267 Geetham (film)
268 Amme Bhagavathi
269 Pappan Priyappetta Pappan
270 Chidambaram (film)
271 Koodanayum Kattu
272 Prathyekam SradhikkukkaPothachan
273 Katturumbinum Kaathukuthu
274 Oru Kadha Oru Nunakkadha
275 Aavanaazhi
276 Ithile Iniyum VaruDasappan
277 Naale Njangalude Vivaaham
278 Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam
279 Meenamaasathile SooryanAdhikari
280 Mizhineerppoovukal
281 IllenjippookkalKaduvappara Pappu
282 Vivahitare ItihileKuriachan
283 Oru YugasandhyaSreedharan Nair
284 Gandhinagar 2nd StreetPoliceman
285 ChilambuEnashu
286 YuvajanotsavamKunjunni Nair
287 1985Kandu KandarinjuThomas
288 Kathodu KathoramKapyar
289 Ee Lokam Ivide Kure ManushyarOuseppu
290 AyanamChakkunni
291 Oru Nokku KananInnochen
292 Akkare Ninnoru MaranShankaran
293 Meenamasathile SooryanAdhikari
294 Vasantha SenaThirumeni
295 Aram+Aram=KinnaramDriver
296 Puli Varunne PuliSaami
297 Avidathepole Ivideyum
298 Ambada NjaaneKumaran
299 Irakal
300 Punnaaram Chollicholli
301 Archana Aaradhana
302 Scene No. 7
303 Daivatheyorthu
304 1984KoottinilamkiliOffice Staff
305 Paavam PoornimaUnnithan
306 Panchavadi PalamBarabas
307 1983Prathijnja
308 Mouna RaagamFreddy/Valyappan
309 Prem Nazirine KanmanillaFilm Producer
310 Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback
311 1982Ilakkangal
312 Ormaykkaay
313 Idavela
314 1981Vida Parayum Munbe
315 1980Kochu Kochu Thettukal
316 1978Randu Penkuttikal
317 1974Nellu
318 1973Jesus (1973 film)
319 Urvashi Bharathi
320 Football Champion [16]
321 1972Nrithasala
Other language films
YearTitleRoleLanguage
1998Doli Saja Ke RakhnaColonel VincentHindi
2003Lesa LesaTamil
2004Nothing But LifeProf. Ponnachan PhDEnglish
2006Malamaal WeeklyAnthonyHindi
2012ShikariSitharam SetuKannada
2019Naan Avalai Sandhitha PothuTamil

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)[17]
  • Kandallo – Sandram (1990)
  • Kunukupenmaniye – Mr Butler (2000)
  • Onnam Malakeri – Kalyanaraman (2002)
  • Sundarakeralam – Doctor Innocentanu (2012)

Television
YearTitleRoleChannel
2020KudumbavilakkuHimselfAsianet
2019–presentComedy star season 2JudgeAsianet
2019Utsavam Super StarMentorFlowers TV
2018Top SingerGuestFlowers TV
2018Nakshatra thilakkamGuestMazhavil Manorama
2018Chaya Koppa yile kodum kattuhimselfMazhavil Manorama
2017Comedy super night 2guestFlowers TV
2017Star ChatGuestWE TV
2016J B junctionGuestKairali TV
2016Badai BungalowGuestAsianet
2016Comedy CarnivalhimselfMazhavil Manorama
2013Point blankGuestAsianet News

References
  1. "Members : Lok Sabha (Innocent)". loksabha.nic.in. Lok Sabha. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  2. "In Kerala, Left backs Independent Innocent". The Indian Express. 7 March 2014. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  3. "ചിരിച്ചും ചിന്തിച്ചും ചിരിപ്പിച്ചും ഇന്നസന്റ്‌". mangalam.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  4. "Kerala Actor-MP Innocent says 'bad' actresses may share 'the bed' at will". The New Indian Express.
  5. DelhiJuly 5, India Today Web Desk New; July 6, 2017UPDATED:; Ist, 2017 10:26. "Casting Ouch: Kerala MP Innocent says actresses who are bad may share the bed at will". India Today.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. Reporter, Staff (5 July 2017). "Innocent apologises for actors' action" – via www.thehindu.com.
  7. https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/actor-innocent-call-it-quits-amma-president-end-term-78802
  8. "Innocent". india.gov.in. Government of India. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  9. "CINIDIARY - A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal". cinidiary.com. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  10. "Movies | Interviews |". Manorama Online. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  11. Innocent (12 December 2013). Cancer Wardile Chiri. Mathrubhui Books. p. 127. ISBN 9788182661110. ASIN 8182659108.
  12. "Innocent". Archived from the original on 23 March 2008.
  13. "Mangalam Varika 15 Oct 2012". mangalamvarika.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  14. "16th Ujala Asianet Film Awards 2014 – Winners List". Metromatinee.com. 11 January 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  15. "TTK Prestige-Vanitha Film Awards: Shobhana, Prithviraj win best actor, actress awards". Kerala9.com. 20 January 2014. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  16. Archived 9 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2015-04-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

Further reading
  • Innocent (12 December 2013). Cancer Wardile Chiri. Mathrubhui Books. p. 127. ISBN 9788182661110. ASIN 8182659108.
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