Vettaiyan Actor Says Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth Can't Act
Alencier Ley Lopez criticised Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan’s “stylised” acting while sharing his experience of working with them in ‘Vettaiyan’.
When two legends of Indian cinema—Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan—shared the screen in T. J. Gnanavel’s ‘Vettaiyan’, it was bound to be a spectacle. But what was it like witnessing their craft up close? Malayalam actor Alencier Ley Lopez, who was also a part of the film, recently shared his experience of working with the two superstars, and his words weren’t all praise. While promoting his film ‘Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal’, Alencier Ley Lopez revealed that he took up the role purely out of curiosity – to observe the two superstars in action.
He disclosed that he shot for just a single day in Mumbai, portraying a judge in a courtroom scene. Though he wasn’t paid for the role, he was flown in and accommodated in a five-star hotel.
“I was sent a flight ticket to Mumbai and given accommodation at a five-star hotel. I just had to sit there as a judge for one shot, and opposite me, on either side, were Amitabh Bachchan sir and Rajinikanth sir,” he said.
Alencier described the experience of watching Rajinikanth and Amitabh perform, recalling how Rajini delivered his trademark stylized movements before exiting the court, while Amitabh unleashed a roaring dialogue delivery. His reaction? Amusement and disbelief.
Recalling their performances, he said, “During my pre-degree days, I saw Rajini sir stopping the whirring blades of a helicopter with his bare teeth. So, I wanted to see how he acts in front of the camera. During the Vettaiyan shoot, I saw him perform his stylised form of acting, using his body language before walking out of the courtroom. Then, Amitabh Bachchan roared like a lion, and I had to act shocked after witnessing all this.”
He even went as far as to say that neither of the two superstars really knew how to act – a comment that is bound to stir reactions.
Alencier said, “I realised I couldn’t compete with them because I never knew enough stylised acting nor had a deep baritone. All I can do is perform in films made by the likes of Dileesh Pothan, Sharan Venugopal, and Rajeev Ravi. It was at that moment that I realised neither of them actually knew how to act. This will become big news for you tomorrow.”
Directed by T. J. Gnanavel and produced by Lyca Productions, ‘Vettaiyan’ saw Rajinikanth in the role of a senior police officer caught in the aftermath of a botched encounter. The action-drama also marked Amitabh Bachchan’s Tamil debut and featured an ensemble cast including Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier, Ritika Singh, and others. The film, despite its star power, had an average box office run, collecting Rs 253 crore worldwide.
Alencier, primarily known for his work in Malayalam cinema, has built a reputation through films like ‘Annayum Rasoolum’, ‘Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum’, ‘Kali’ and ‘Kasaba’, among others.
