Mohanlal's mother at peace but anxious' over his feat

[netfree]

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The mother of popular Malayalam film star Mohanlal yesterday said she is "quite at peace" over her son's plans to perform a dangerous feat at a magic show here on April 27, even though she was "anxious" about his safety.

Amid apprehensions expressed by local magicians asking him not to go ahead with the special item in view of the dangers involved, Mohanlal's mother Santhakumari Amma said "I have asked Mohanlal about this and he was very confident. So I am quite at peace. I am also a little bit anxious".

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

The item has been planned by Magic Academy, promoted by Gopinath Muthukad. However, another magician Samraj, who claimed to have the support of around 300 magicians, alleged that Mohanlal was being made a pawn in the hands of certain people for "cheap publicity" and advised the actor not to attempt such a "difficult feat".

Mohanlal had been taking lessons from Muthukad to perform the feat, named 'burning illusion' for the last two years. Mohanlal himself has said that it involved a 50:50 risk and he was prepared to do it after rigorous training and love for magic.