Professional jealousy seems to be crossing all limits, as Malayalam Superstar Mohanlal announced his performing a Houdini act ‘The burning illusion’ next week at the capital city in association with ace magician Gopinath Mukthukad.

Muthukkad's rivals headed by Magician Samraj held a press conference on Monday citing that the actor is just not trained enough to perform this act, and alleged that his trainer, Muthukad, was himself burnt when he had tried the act in Bahrain, six years back.

"Who is going to answer if Mohanlal is unable to come out of the act safely?" the magicians posed. An interesting symbolic protest lead by Magicain Samraj was held yesterday, when he spend a few minutes inside a mobile mortuary.

Magician Samraj, who arrived at the Marine Drive in Kochi with fellow mourners dressed in black and himself in the characteristic robe and hat, for campaigning ‘save Mohanlal and magic itself’ announced that "I am going to lie here in mortuary until I die" , if the star doesn't move back from performing the act. He entered a freezing mobile mortuary in front of hundreds of people and the casket was shut tight. Then it was lifted to a decorated vehicle and the "funeral procession" started. However as the police led by asst commissioner knocked the glass cover of the casket after some minutes, Samraj lay silent. He was later found unconscious and was rushed to general hospital by the police where he was given immediate medical care.

While Samraj and dozens of other magicians are in the opinion that by performing the dangerous stunt by a popular actor who is not a professional magician , would kill and trivialize their profession, Mohanlal and Gopinath Muthukad is confident of performing the act well, on Sunday.

The special item will have Mohanlal handcuffed and wrapped in chains with the keys in the hands of dignitaries, who are 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 unscathed. "I think it's only a simple professional jealousy that's all. But Mohanlal is a big artist and this is India where anybody can learn any art form. I can definitely say that he is perfect and confident now. Every part is okay and that's why we announced this show," said Muthukkad.