Kerala Govt not to interfere with actor's 'stunt event'

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 22 (UNI) Even as the protest by a group of magicians against the ''fire escape'' performance of Malyalam Super Star Mohanlal was on, Kerala Cultural Minister M A Baby today said the government would not interfere in the issue.

''However, if necessary the government is ready to talk with the people concerned to solve the issue,'' he told UNI.

Asked about the danger of performing such an act by an actor, he said people concerned knew about its seriousness and they would take all the precautionary measures.

Since the performance was in connection with tourism, the government would give its support to such events, he said and added ''the other magicians should support such activities of the government.'' When contacted, Mohanlal said he did not want to make any comments on it as it was organised by the state government.

A group of magicians had come forward with protest against Mohanlal's decision to perform the ''death defying' act stating that it was a highly ''risky and dangerous'' stunt.

Earlier, Magician Samrat had submitted a memorandum signed by 300 magicians to Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) urging the superstar not to try the illusion act.

Mohanlal would perform the 'Burning Illusion' at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium here on April 27 as a curtain-raiser to Kerala Tourism-sponsored international magic festival, 'Vismayam 2008.' Counted as one of the most dangerous acts, the 'Burning Illusion' would find the actor inspiring the youth to overcome debacles in life with sheer determination.

Mohanlal had been learning magic for the last one year and had mastered the open air escape stunt, according to Magic Academy Executive Director Gopinath Muthukad.

About 1,000 magicians would take part in the event organised jointly by the Kerala Police and the Kerala State Youth Welfare.

UNI CGV GM JT AS2249