As the world celebrated International Workers' Day or Labour Day on May 1, Malayalam actor Antony Varghese of Angamaly Diaries fame took to Facebook to honour his auto driver father in an endearing post.
Antony, popularly known to Malayalis as Pepe, the name of his character from his debut film, posted a picture of his father in front of the latter's autorickshaw.
Underneath the photo, he wrote: “Happy Labour Day, this is my father. He finished his afternoon ride and came back home to have lunch. I caught hold of him and forced him to stand before the camera.”
The picture shows Antony’s father standing in front of his auto, named ‘Kaaval Malakha’ or Guardian Angel. The post has been liked over 60,000 times and has received several positive comments and wishes from fans.
One user said he was proud that Antony, despite being a celebrity, had no qualms in telling the world that his father is an auto driver. Another said that this message by Antony embodied the actual spirit of May Day and that he had noted down the auto's number and would definitely travel in the auto when he visited Angamaly next.
Many users have sent their love for Antony's father, saying that he was "mass" and the "real hero" who still went on with his profession.
Comments include positive notes like “You made your father proud” and "Your father is the guardian angel of the family (referring to the autorickshaw’s name)”.
However, some of the users took it upon themselves to chide Antony for still "sending his father to work", instead of appreciating the latter's agency in making his own choices.
One comment read,” Why can’t you let your aged parents stay at home instead of sending them to work?” Sigh.
Antony Varghese made his debut with the 2017 film Angamaly Diaries which went on to become a major box-office hit. The story follows Vincent Pepe (Antony Varghese) and his role in the gang wars that break out in Angamaly.
The film, directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by Chemban Vinod Jose, featured 86 newcomers.