Veteran Malayalam actor and former MP Innocent died on Sunday at a private hospital in Kochi, Kerala. He was 75. The actor, who had been under treatment at the hospital since March 3, died at 10:30pm. “He was infected with Covid and had respiratory issues along with multiple organ failure resulting in heart failure,” the hospital said in a statement.

As the news of his death spread, social media was flooded with messages from people from all walks of life, including prominent actors and politicians, expressing their condolences and grief.

Several actors from the industry, including Prithviraj Sukumaran, his brother Indrajith, Manju Warrier, and Tovino Thomas condoled Innocent’s death on their social media handles.

“End of an iconic chapter in cinema history! Rest in peace Legend! #Innocent (sic),” Prithviraj tweeted. “Pranaamam... #RIP #Innocent,” Indrajith said on Instagram.

Senior actor Jayaram said Innocent’s demise was a huge loss for the Indian cinema. “I consider myself the luckiest to have known him and to have shared screen space with him throughout the years. My deepest condolences to the family,” Jayaram wrote on Instagram.

Actor Dulquer Salmaan shared a couple of pictures of himself with the late actor and penned down an emotional note, which read, “We lost the brightest shining star in our constellation. You were all heart...Rest in peace.”

Innocent’s funeral will be held at St. Thomas Cathedral Irinjalakuda at 10am today.