Ever since it kicked off on December 9, this year’s International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has been drawing protests of all kinds.
Just as the controversy over the National Anthem died down, the festival was witness to a different kind of protest.
Thursday saw the return of Thampi – a choreographer who calls himself the champion of social causes – making a come-back with a signature-style protest.
The man, who presents his unusual demands along with public stunts such as contortionist tricks involving bicycle tyres and pulling a fleet of vehicles with his teeth, chose the IFFK as the venue to raise a new set of demands.
This time, Thampi had two demands: Firstly, to rename the Trivandrum International Airport to Sree Chittira Thirunal Balarama Varma, after the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely state of Travancore, and secondly, to construct a monument for the late actor Nazeer.
Thampi, a natural crowd-puller, laid down his demands after dancing to his favorite actor Nazeer's evergreen song – “Kasturi Manakkunnallo”, set to work!
As eager crowds gathered around him, Thampi resorted to his old crowd-pleasing trick. Thampi and his assistant slithered their way through yet another tyre. Unlike a previous occasion, when they became trapped mid-way through the act, and fire and rescue personnel had to be called in to rescue the duo, Thampi and his assistant pulled it off this time.