Kerala, on Tuesday, March 28, bade a tearful adieu to one of its most versatile actors who never let adversities, including the dreaded cancer, dull the sparkle of his signature smile. Innocent, who passed away on Sunday, was given full state honours by the Kerala government and laid to rest in Thrissur.
Prior to the burial, his mortal remains were placed at the St Thomas Cathedral - his home parish in Irinjalakuda in Thrissur, as thousands of teary-eyed mourners looked on. After battling for life at a hospital for nearly two weeks, the 75-year-old passed away on Sunday night, leaving his fans recalling numerous characters he brought to life in the over 700 roles he performed in a glorious career spanning five decades, that began in 1972.
The whole of Monday and Tuesday morning saw people from all walks of life thronging with Innocent lying in state, in his traditional Kerala attire - a 'jubba' and the 'mundu' - his trademark attire which he never ditched even as an MP in the Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2019.
As a mark of respect, all shops and establishments at his hometown in Irinjalakuda downed their shutters till 11 am, when his body was lowered into the family graveyard, beside his parents. Before moving the body from the house, he was given a state funeral by the Kerala Police.
Though a glorious career that extended to five decades has ended, the charismatic actor and his characters will remain etched in the memories of people for decades to come.