Mohanlal, who has donned the role of a magician more than once during his career, mesmerised the expectant crowd here on Friday evening, with a levitation trick, thus throwing open the doors to ‘Magic Planet’ an entirely magic-themed complex at Kazhakuttam.
With some loud music in the background, the actor who appeared on an overhead platform without the customary magician’s hat and wand slowly kept raising both his hands in the air, signalling the woman lying on the floor to levitate. Though the movement was hardly discernible, the crowd went into raptures as soon as they caught sight of the widening gap between her and the floor. Standing a few feet from them at the entrance of Magic Planet was a sculpture depicting a similar levitating scene.
Once the act got over, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy declared the complex open. He praised magician Gopinath Muthukad who conceived the idea of such a complex.
“Besides being a great magician, what makes him stand apart is his social commitment. This complex is a gift to the country’s magic tradition,” said Mr. Chandy.
Mr. Mohanlal also lauded him for using magic as a tool to spread virtuous ideas in society.
Mr. Muthukad said the proceeds from the complex would be used for the betterment of street magicians across the country.
“This is not a profit-making venture. All of the money from here will be used to help the thousands of street magicians we have forgotten. This country has a great tradition in magic.
Magic Planet is an attempt at reclaiming that,” said Mr. Muthukad.
Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan and others spoke.
