Actor Innocent passed away a year ago, leaving behind a legacy defined by his roles in over 600 films across a career spanning over 40 years. Known for his unique body language and the distinctive Irinjalakuda dialect, he carved a niche for himself in the industry. His iconic characters in films directed by Sathyan Anthikadu, Fazil, Priyadarshan, and Siddique-Lal remain etched in our memories. Whenever one recalls Innocent, another name inevitably surfaces – KPAC Lalitha. Regrettably, both these legendary actors are no longer with us.
The duo shared the screen in several films, including 'Manichithrathazhu', 'Godfather', and 'Kottayam Kunjachan'. What made their pairing so iconic was their exceptional acting prowess, with performances so genuine that audiences felt a personal connection to them.
During a candid conversation with Mohanlal on a television program, Innocent spoke openly about his on-screen partnership with KPAC Lalitha. When asked about his favourite actress to act alongside, Innocent humorously mentioned that he had hoped to work with actresses like Manju Warrier and Navya Nair but often found himself paired with KPAC Lalitha.
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Reflecting on his career, Innocent shared in another instance that he always felt genuinely happy whenever he learned he would be acting alongside KPAC Lalitha. He believed that his performance always improved when paired with such a talented co-actor.
In an interview with Manorama Online, Innocent fondly recalled his early interactions with Lalitha. He acknowledged that she was already a renowned actress when he first met her, as he was just beginning his journey in the film industry. Despite her stature, Lalitha greeted him warmly, which he deeply appreciated.
Discussing their on-screen chemistry and his tendency to recommend Lalitha to filmmakers, Innocent once said, 'Later on, when I became an actor, I had the opportunity to act alongside her in numerous films. Throughout my film career, whenever directors or scriptwriters asked who should co-star with me, I always suggested Lalitha for the role'.
Innocent further revealed that he never recommended anyone else's name before Lalitha, not because of their friendship or close relationship, but because he believed his performance would be enhanced with Lalitha by his side. He candidly shared, 'It was my belief that I could deliver a better performance when acting alongside Lalitha'.