Innocent

Innocent Vareed Thekkethala is an Indian actor in the  Malayalam film industry. He is one of the most successful and leading comedy actors of Malayalam cinema and  noted for his witty mannerisms and dialogue delivery in the typical Thrissur accent. Besides acting, Innocent also an author and politician. He has written columns in magazines and newspapers and  published his memoir entitled 'Njan Innocent' and another book 'Laughter in the Cancer Ward.

Personal Life

Innocent was born in 1948 to Vareed Thekkethala and Margaret in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala. The actor who dropped his studies when he was at 13 years old. Later he started doing business along with his father and brother. After a few years later, he went to Madras and to pursue acting career.


Career Life

He entered the film industry in 1981. 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 around 500 films in a variety of roles, mainly in Malayalam. He has also done a few Tamil and Hindi films.

He had played key comedy roles in several superhit movies like Ramji Rao Speaking, Mannar Mathai Speaking, Kilukkam, Godfather, Vietnam Colony, and Devaasuram. Innocent has also excelled in character and villain roles.

Apart from this, he proved his skills in serious roles with a touch of laughter in films such as Kabooliwaala, Gajakesariyogam, Mithunam, Mazhavilkavadi, Manassinakkare, Thuruppugulan, Rasathanthram, and Mahasamudram. His role as Warrier (a Hindu caste man) in Mohanlal-starrer superhits Devaasuram and its sequel Ravanaprabhu was noticed for its nuances in the performance. The role is considered by critics as one of his best. His pairing with K. P. A. C. Lalitha was successful in movies such as Pai Brothers, My Dear Muthachchan, and Manichitrathazhu.

Innocent is also one of the most imitated actors of Malayalam cinema and mimicry artistes have brought him closer to women and children among his fans. Innocent's participation in stage shows also guarantees him a leading role as an anchor or performer. The actor has been the president of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) for 9 years. He has held the post for the last three consecutive terms. Innconet is very active in Kerala politics. He was the winning candidate of  2014 Lok Sabha elections from the Chalakudy constituency.

Death

Actor Innocent passed away on March 26th, 2023 due to health problems after being hospitalized. He was 75 years old.