Innocent has gone to a shooting location which is unreachable, says Salim Kumar as tributes pour in

Personalities from various streams of life have condoled the death of Malayalam actor Innocent, who breathed his last on 26 March.

ByArjun Ramachandran

Published Mar 27, 2023 | 2:35 PMUpdatedMar 27, 2023 | 2:35 PM

Innocent tributes

Personalities from various sectors have condoled the death of Malayalam actor Innocent, who breathed his last on Sunday, 26 March, in a private hospital in Kochi due to multiple organ failure and a heart attack.

Innocent was also an MP from the Chalakudy constituency of Thrissur district from 2014 to 2019. He was involved in social activities in his native district, especially Irinjalakuda, his birthplace.

Actors Mammootty, Dileep, actor-producer G Suresh Kumar, and minister P Rajeev were among the people who were at the hospital at the time of his demise.

The mortal remains of the actor were taken to Irinjalakuda from Kochi around 11.30 am on Monday. It is being kept at the Municipal Town Hall between 1 pm and 3.30 pm.

The funeral will be held at the St Thomas Cathedral in Irinjalakuda at 10 am on Tuesday.

Related: Malayalam actor Innocent breathes his last

Innocent remembered

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was among the first people who condoled the death of Innocent.

The chief minister in his Facebook post said, “He made an irreplaceable place for himself in the minds of the Malayalam movie audiences with his unique acting skills, and has always taken a stand to support people.”

He further said that Innocent always had a left-wing mindset and became a Lok Sabha candidate at the request of the Left Democratic Front.

After winning the election, Innocent raised Kerala’s demands in Parliament, Vijayan said.

Malayalam actor Mohanlal shared his tribute to Innocent in a Facebook post. The actor said his mind still wants to believe that he did not go.

Mohanlal said that he did not know how to put into words the sadness of Innocent’s departure, who innocently spread laughter, love and comfort to the whole world just like his name.

“My Innocent will be with me forever with that innocent smile, love, and rebuke every moment,” Mohanlal wrote.

In a heartfelt post, actor Manju Warrier thanked Innocent for his smiles not only on the screen but also in her life.

Actor Prithviraj on his Facebook page wrote, “End of an iconic chapter in cinema history! Rest in peace Legend!”

Actor Dileep came into the film industry with his mimicry programmes in which he mainly imitated the voice of Innocent. He wrote an emotional post on Facebook paying tribute to Innocent.

“I don’t have words to express my grief. I got recognition by using the voice of Innocent during my stage programmes. He always supported me during my difficult times. He was a father and at the same time an elder brother to me,” Dileep wrote.

Former MP and actor Suresh Gopi wrote a short note on Facebook saying goodbye to the king of comedy.

Actor Salim Kumar said he didn’t believe that Innocent died.

On a witty note, he wrote that Innocent had gone to a shooting location where he can’t be reached now.

“I am also in that film, but haven’t got a call from that location,” he wrote.

Tamil actress and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar tweeted on Sunday night that she was devastated on hearing of the death of Innocent.

“We have lost a great actor. Moreso a great human being. What a legend he was. With the passing away of #Innocent Sir, we have lost a priceless gem. May his soul rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and his followers [sic],” she wrote.

CPI(M) Kerala secretary MV Govindan and Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan also paid homage to Innocent.

Actors Mammootty, Dileep, Jayaram, Dulquer Salmaan, Janardhanan, and singer MG Sreekumar were some of the personalities who paid homage to Innocent at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Kochi.