Mohanlal calls off plan to perform 'fire escape act'

[netfree]

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Giving in to pressure from his fans and well wishers including the film fraternity. Malayalam actor Mohanlal yesterday gave up his plan to perform the risky 'fire escape' act as part of a magic show here on April 27.
In a joint statement, Mohanlal and his magic guru Gopinath Muthukad said here that the event had been cancelled as the actor's plan had triggered unnecessary controversies.

Mohanlal's decision to perform the event 'burning illusion' had evoked criticism as well as concern from various quarters, including a group of magicians who held that the item was too dangerous and could even pose a threat to his life.

Muthukad said with Mohanlal's decision to give up the act, the country lost a chance to witness a magic performance by a versatile artist. Mohanlal had agreed to do the event as part of an entertainment and he was fully confident that he would be able to do it successfully.

The special event was planned by Magic Academy of Muthukad as a prelude to international magic convention 'Vismayam 2008" begins here on May 1 in association with Kerala State Youth Welfare Board. The actor had been taking lessons from Muthukad to perfom the feat for the last two years.

Mohanlal's Fans Association and Association of Malayalam Movie Artists Association were against the event and requested him to give up the performance.

Kerala Minister for Law and Youth Affairs M Vijayakumar had also said that it was for the actor to decide whether to perform the event or not.

"Mohanlal had volunteered himself to perform the event to encourage the youth to take up challenges in their life", Vijayakumar said.