Comedian Innocent identified with non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma

Kochi: Veteran comedian and character artist Innocent has been diagnosed as having non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma - a form of blood cancer, according to doctors treating him. The Malayalam actor-producer is being treated at a leading private hospital here. He is suffering from non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphocytes -- a type of white blood cells, a doctor in the know of things about the illness, told IANS. "The diagnosis was made two weeks back and treatment protocols have already begun. He is now being administered the treatment at a three-week interval and he is taking it as an out-patient," said the doctor, who did not wish to be identified. The 64-year-old hugely popular actor has been the president of the Association of Malayalam Artists for the past 12 years. In June, he was re-elected unopposed for another three years. Innocent began his long and eventful career as a producer in the early 1970s and went on to act. It was only in the mid-1980s that he actually clicked as an actor and since then he has not looked back. By now he has acted in around 500 films, including "Ramji Rao Speaking" and "Devaasuram". IANS