Ace magician Samrat arrested

Kochi (Kerala), April 22 (IANS) Leading Kerala magician Samrat was arrested Tuesday when he began a hunger strike to dissuade Malayalam film superstar Mohanlal from performing a stunt act scheduled for April 27.

Mohanlal is to perform the act called 'Burning Illusion' ahead of a four- day international magicians meet beginning in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram May 1.

The superstar, who has been training under the guidance of Gopinath Muthukad, head of the Magic Academy here, says he wants to motivate the Kerala youth by his act.

Samrat told reporters here Monday that it was a difficult stunt and that Muthukad had once failed in his attempt to perform it. Hence, he would go on a fast to persuade Mohanlal to refrain from performing the stunt.