Mohanlal gives up his shot at magic

Under pressure from his fans and well wishers, popular Malayalam film star Mohanlal on Wednesday called off his plan to perform the dangerous 'fire escape' act as part of a magic show planned to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on April 27.

According to magician Gopinath Muthukad, under whose tutelage the actor planned to perform the magic event 'burning illusion', Mohanlal has decided to give up the plan due to pressure from various quarters.

"He was very unhappy to give up his shot at the magic as he had spent valuable time in perfecting the art scheduled to be performed before the public at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium in Thiruvananthapuram," Muthukad told PTI.

"What the country lost is a magic performance by a great artiste like Mohanlal as he was very much confident of performing the fire escape act without endangering himself," Muthukad said.

Mohanlal's Fans Association and Malayalam Cine Artists' Association as well as persons from different walks of life had requested the actor not to go ahead with his plan.

The actor's plan kicked up a row after a group of magicians came out against the super star performing the 'burning illusion' holding it was a high risk number, which could even pose a danger to his life.

The special item, to be performed as a prelude to the international magic convention 'Vismayam 2008' beginning in Thiruvananthapuram on May 1, was to have the actor handcuffed and wrapped in chains with the keys in the hands of dignitaries watching the show. The actor would then be put inside a box, which will be thrown into a ball of fire from where he has to escape.