A top Indian actor has decided to withdraw from performing a death defying stunt which went wrong in Bahrain nearly a decade ago, after more than 250,000 fans threatened to torch the south Indian state of Kerala if he was harmed.

The Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, had reported on Wednesday that Mohanlal was being mentored by renowned Indian magician Gopinath Muthukad, who was burned in Bahrain in 1998 when his 'Great Fire Escape' trick went wrong.

Mohanlal was planning to perform a similar stunt in Kerala on Sunday at the opening of an international magicians meeting.

The attempt had split the magicians' community in Kerala; with some saying it could be dangerous and belittles their skills.

Indian magician Samrat argued that Muthukad had once failed in his attempt in Bahrain and was using Mohanlal for "cheap publicity".

Mohanlal was at first adamant that he would attempt a similar act entitled Burning Illusion after training for the past 18 months under the guidance of  Muthukad.

However, last night he announced that he would pull out based on his fans' requests.

Samrat on Tuesday showed his protest by lying in a mobile casket, equipped to create a temperature of -4C.

He was arrested by police half-an-hour after getting into the casket and charged with attempted suicide. He is now out on bail though the case stands.

Mohanlal has made the right decision in withdrawing from the act, Samrat told the GDN from Kerala.-TradeArabia News Service