KASARGOD (KERALA): Actor Alencier Ley Lopez who shot to fame through 'Njan Steve Lopez' and 'Maheshinte Prathikaaram' staged a protest at the New bus stand here yesterday. He staged this “performance” of his to mark the recent attack of the BJP and other right-wing organizations on Malayalam director Kamal.
Draped in a 'mundu' and playing rattle toys, Alencier sang poetic verses agitating the Sangh Parivar's growing attacks against artistes in Kerala. Retorting to the Sangh Parivar's demands that the artistes must leave the country if they do not believe in patriotism, the actor was heard singing “ I am proud of my country, I am proud of the next country even, still they ask me who I am.”
His performance was structured around the theme of a man finding his place similar to his name, carrying a sack bag to reach America riding on buses. In the end, the actor is seen wearing a US flag around his waist and singing “The love for 'underwear' is not patriotism”, taking a dig at the right-wingers.
Here's the YouTube video hosted by Malayalam news channel Media One:
When asked about this unique form of agitation, Alencier told the mediapersons that his performance was not a protest but defense. 'I am an actor. If I am cold, I will pull a blanket over me. If it is hot, I will switch on the fan. But my country is turning out to be a place where I am being asked to go to Pakistan or Gujarat because of my name. It is a pity that we are living among people who don't understand the meaning of our “Mahabharata”.'
Alancier Lopez who is a theatre and film artiste is also popular for his roles in 'Maheshinte Prathikaaram',
'Kammattipaadam' and 'Kismath' (2016).
Last month, director and head of State Chalachitra Academy Kamal was at the receiving end of a BJP allegation for his comments over national anthem in cinemas during the International film Festival of
Kerala.