The best roles of Malayalam film legend Innocent

Malayalam cinema legend Innocent has always been considered as one of the industry's finest actors. The late actor who passed away on the 26th of March, boasts a career spanning nearly six decades, leaving an enduring legacy. While he may not have been the leading man in most films, he often essayed memorable characters who were sometimes even integral to the film’s narrative. For today’s List hai toh hit hai we take a look at some of his most iconic characters.

Mannar Mathai - Ramji Rao Speaking

Directed by the filmmaking duo of Siddique - Lal, the 1989 comedy thriller Ramji Rao Speaking is probably one of the most iconic Malayalam films of all time. Most notably, Priyadarshan remade the film in Hindi as Hera Pheri, which went on to become one of the most successful Hindi comedy franchises in recent decades.

In Ramji Rao Speaking Innocent essays the role of Mannar Mathai, the owner of a defunct drama troupe who rents out his home to a couple of unemployed young men desperate to find work. Their adventures and misadventures after a mysterious phone call about kidnapping change their lives forever. Innocent’s comic timing and impeccable dialogue delivery immortalised his character. In fact, the popularity of the character even triggered the sequel which was titled Mannar Mathai Speaking.

Warrier - Devasuram

Innocent’s filmography is stacked with popular comedy films, but he has shown incredible versatility to adapt to more serious films. The 1993 I V Sasi film, Devasuram, starring Mohanlal is one such film where Innocent essayed a nuanced and layered character. Innocent’s character Warrier is the Alfred Pennyworth to Mohanlal’s Neelakanthan. He would later reprise his role in the sequel Ravanaprabhu.

Kittunni - Kilukkam

The character Kuttuni from the 1991 comedy Kilukkam is yet another memorable character who has become a pop culture icon. The film stars Mohanlal, Revathy, Jagathy Sreekumar, and Thilakan in prominent roles. The scene where Mohanlal and Revathy’s character tricks an illiterate Kittuni into believing that he had won the lottery makes one of the most hilarious scenes in Malayalam cinema. The scene where he realises his folly is equally hilarious and some of the dialogue from these scenes have become a mainstay in Malayalam pop culture.

Unnithan - Manichitrathazhu

Widely regarded as one of the greatest Malayalam films of all time, one that warranted several remakes across India, including the Akshay Kumar film Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Innocent plays the role of a naive yet good-natured man named Unnithan, who is the caretaker of the infamous Madampalli. The back-and-forth banter between Mohanlal’s lead character Dr Sunny is lauded as one of the most hilarious scenes in the movie.

Ponjikkara Keshavan - Kalyanaraman

Ponjikkara Keshavan from the film comedy-drama Kalyanaraman is arguably Innocent’s most iconic role. The self-proclaimed bodybuilder demands an audience so that he can show off his physique and feats of strength, but more often than not, he only ends up embarrassing himself. The character’s popularity rose to the extent that teenagers in Kerala flexing their muscles used to be taunted with the name Poonjikara or Poonji.

Swaminathan - Godfather

The 1991 action comedy is yet another popular film that has remained relevant even today. The plot revolves around two feuding aristocratic families clubbed with a Romeo and Juliet-like storyline. Innocent is one among four sons of a feudal lord named Anjooran, who has demanded that his sons never get married. However, Innocent’s character Swaminathan secretly has a wife and two kids, and it is a subplot that has significant consequences for the film’s overall story.

Uthup Vallikkadan - Oru Indian Pranayakadha

The 2013 rom-com Oru Indian Pranayakadha stars Fahadh Faasil and Amala Paul in lead roles. Innocent essays the role of Uthup Vallikkadan, a politician and a mentor to Faasil’s Aymanam Sidharthan. Innocent slips into the role of a conniving and scheming politician with aplomb. The scenes featuring Vallikkadan and Sidharthan will surely crack you up.

Shankarankutty Menon - Mazhavilkavadi

Innocent does not often play a negative role, but when he does, it is almost executed to near perfection. In the 1989 comedy-drama Mazhavilkavadi Innocent essays the role of Shankarankutty Menon, a man who refuses to let his daughter marry the love of her life Velayudhan Kutty, played by Jayaram. Menon belittles Kutty at every opportunity and believes that his daughter deserves someone with more wealth and affluence.

Well that's the OTTplay List Hai toh hit hai episode for today, until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge IOTTplay se poocho

• Written by Ryan Gomez