Innocent, when you hear that name, a lot of jokes, expressions and conversations come to the mind of Malayalees. Innocent, who made Malayalees laugh and think inside and outside the cinema for more than half a century, is remembered as the Malayalees’ own Innocent today. He wasn’t just an actor or comedian. It was also an example of overcoming adversity. Even when the crisis of life in the form of hunger finally reached cancer, Innocent defeated it with a smile. Innocent was born to Thekkethala Varith and Margalitha on 28 February 1948 at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district. Little Flower Convent High School, National High School, Don Bosco S.N.H. He completed his schooling in the eighth grade. He then moved to Madras to pursue a career in films. He started as a production executive there and acted in the 1972 film Nartanasala, directed by Mohan. Later, he did small roles in films like Urvashi Bharti, Football Champion and Nellu. In the meantime, he contracted typhoid and went to Davangere in Karnataka. His brother Sunny and cousins George and Davis ran a matchbox company. Having left Karnataka in 1974, Innocent Allara moved on to retail business and acting. He married Alice on September 26, 1976. After coming to Madras, Innocent started a film production company called Shatru Combines with a friend named David Kachappilly. In this banner, before saying goodbye, for the sake of memory, made such pictures as a flashback of Lekha’s death, a story and a fairy tale. But he couldn’t save himself financially.
Innocent made his acting debut with 1982 film Bharathan. The film also marks the first time Innocent speaks in the Thrissur language. He has acted in more than 750 films. In addition to acting and producing, Innocent has also appeared in films as a singer and writer. Innocent, who has also acted in foreign language films such as Malamaal Weekly (Hindi), Shikkari (Kannada) and Lesa Lesa (Tamil), has been awarded the State Award for the film Mazhavil Kavadi, the Kerala State Critic’s Award for the film 10th Floor Theevandi and many other awards. Innocent became the president of AMMA in 1995 after the death of its first state president MG Soman in 1997. Innocent, who led his mother for 16 long years as president, played a crucial role in the growth of the organization. Even when he stepped into politics, Innocent did not know how to step down.
The popularity and recognition that Innocent, the face of a stained political personality, received was rapid. Even the sick often had to give up in front of Innocent’s smile. Innocent also authored the books Laughter in the Cancer Ward, I am Innocent (Stories) and Behind the Laughter (Autobiography) through Kalante Delhi Yatra Anthikkad vazhi. He died on 26 March 2023 at the age of 75. Even after Innocent’s death, Malayalees were able to see his characters on the silver screen. When Innocent passed away, ending a five-decade film career, what was left was a huge loss of laughter. But through the immortal characters, through the confidence that he instilled, Innachan will always live in the minds of every Malayalee.
