Kochi

Veteran comedian and character artiste Innocent, who was suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, says he is cured now and ready to put on the grease paint again.

"I have been asked by directors like Priyadarshan and Sathyan Anthicadu to act in their films. I have agreed as I am cured of my illness," the actor told media at his residence at Irinjalakuda in Trissur district, near Kochi.

Last year, the versatile actor was diagnosed with the disease and the news shocked his fans as well as the industry people. He was treated at a private hospital here.

But Innocent remained calm.

"When I attend public meetings and say that I am cured, I observe that many just can't believe what I say," he said.

Known for hits "Ramji Rao Speaking", "Kilukkam", "Vietnam Colony" and "Devaasuram", to name a few, the 64-year-old has been the president of the Association of Malayalam Artists (AMMA) for the past 13 years and in June last year was elected unopposed for another three-year term.

Innocent began his long and eventful career as a producer in the early 1970s and it was in the mid-eighties that he clicked as an actor and since then there has been no looking back for him.

His work oeuvre includes approximately 500 films.