Actor Innocent’s life will always remain an inspiring tale of resilience and creativity. From humble beginnings to fame, Innocent’s journey has been a testament to hard work, determination and talent. As a school drop out who found studying a tedious task, Innocent’s early life was marked by struggle. Though he tried his hands in various businesses, he failed in all and what ultimately made him successful in his life was his will to become an actor which he nurtured from his childhood.
Despite all hurdles that came up on his way, Innocent showed a natural talent for performing and evolved as an artist with his unique dialect and mannerisms that made him a household name. With his facial mannerism and Thrissur dialect, Innocent became an instant sensation and emerged one of the most sought-after actors who could pull crowds to theatres.
His comic-laced supporting roles in movies like Ramji Rao Speaking, Mannar Mathai Speaking, Kilukkam, Godfather, Vietnam Colony, Nadodikattu, Kabooliwaala, Gajakesariyogam, Mithunam, Mazhavilkavadi, Manassinakkare, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, My Dear Muthachan and Manichitrathazhu won the hearts of the people. While his ability to make audiences laugh remains unmatched, his iconic performances in movies like Devaasuram and its sequel Ravanaprabhu revealed the range of an actor in him. It’s a fact that these films without Innocent would not have been a hit.
He also authored five books: “Njan Innocent”, “Cancer Wardile Chiri”, “Irinjalakudakku Chuttum” (memoirs), “Mazha Kannadi” (collection of short stories) and “Chirrikku Pinnil” (autobiography). The book “Cancer Wardile Chiri” (Laughter in the Cancer Ward) is an account of his experiences while undergoing treatment for throat cancer in 2013.
Kerala Government also included excerpts of his memoir “Cancer Wardile Chiri” in a school textbook. A portion of this book was included in the Malayalam textbook for fifth standard of the Kerala state syllabus. The memoir with humourous undertones narrates how he bravely fought cancer and survived it without losing confidence and remaining positive.
As a strong advocate and supporter of Leftist ideology, he began his political career with RSP and had won a Municipal Council election in 1979. He won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency in Thrissur district as an independent candidate of the LDF. However, he lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to UDF candidate Benny Behanan.
In 2013, he was diagnosed with Cancer. But he bravely fought it and came out strong. However, in 2015 he suffered a relapse of the disease and this time too, he fought the disease. As a cancer survivor, he took up different campaigns to instil positivity and confidence in cancer patients.
Perhaps Innocent’s greatest legacy is his life that puts out a strong message: No matter how humble your beginnings, no matter how many obstacles you may face, with hard work and talent, anything is possible.
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