I am selective about roles, co-stars: Innocent

Thiruvananthapuram, June 11 (IANS) After nearly three successful decades in filmdom and more than 450 Malayalam films, ace comedian and character artiste Innocent says he now wants to take it easy and be more choosy about his roles.

"I do not see acting as a job. I want to be selective as I want some free time to spend with my two grandchildren, who are now my passion," said the veteran actor on the sidelines of the shooting of his latest film "Mahasamudram" at a football stadium here.

He said he was also careful about the co-stars he worked with as he wanted to enjoy each moment on the sets.

Looking back on his years in the Malayalam film industry, Innocent said he had always wanted to be an actor and he was satisfied with the way his career shaped up as he had achieved more than he had dreamed of.

"I started with a remuneration of Rs.15 but over the years I have acted with lots of stars including former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalitha," said the 58-year-old actor who hails from Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district.

The turning point in his career, he said, was when he got a much-needed break in the film "Ramoji Rao Speaking" in 1989. The film, he said, made him famous.

Narrating an incident, he said: "I was a regular customer at a toddy shop near my home. Immediately after that film was released, I was at the toddy shop one day. After some time I heard a commotion and when I came out, I was surprised to see a massive crowd. Then I knew my time had come and after that I never visited that shop."

Innocent, who is president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) for the past six years, said his colleagues were asking him to continue for a third term. Elections in the association are due later this month.

In a lighter vein, Innocent said his colleagues wanted him to continue for a third term because they knew that with his direct manner of speech he would be able to keep things under control within the industry.

"I am frank and I speak my mind, when I make a statement, people know the message has been delivered and if it has hit some, they take it with a pinch of salt and say Innocent has cracked a joke, just as in films," he said, winking his eyes, which has become a trademark mannerism in most of his films.

Innocent rated "Ramoji Rao Speaking", "Kabooliwallah", "Kilukkam", "Godfather" and "Mazhavilkavadi" among his best films.

On his future plans, he said though he had tried his hand at production, he had not been successful and now he wanted to direct a short film.

"I have written a book of short stories which is expected to come out soon. I want to make that into a short film," said the actor.

He denied that there were 'cliques' within the Malayalam film industry and also brushed aside the perception that the industry was vicious.

"Talent is the order of the day and whosoever has that cannot be kept out for long from our industry," he asserted.

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