Dileep to learn magic?

Master illusionist Gopinath Muthukad has been roped in to help the star prepare for his role as a magician in K Ramachandra Babu���s 3D venture
Twenty eight years after Mollywood brought out India���s first 3D film, My Dear Kuttichathan, it seems the industry could very well be the front-runner again, what with several top stars giving their nod for 3D flicks in the offing.
Close on the heels of the upcoming Mammootty-Prithviraj flick, Arivaal Chuttika Nakshatram, the next project which has been confirmed to be shot in 3D is Manthrika Thakkol. And the latest star to land the jig with this flick is Dileep, who will play a magician in ace cinematographer K Ramachandra Babu���s directorial debut.
Says Ramachandra, ���It���s a fun flick that will appeal to people of all ages. Dileep plays a magician, who is also a devout family man. The plot centres on his kidnapping. While the police carry out their investigation, a group of kids also snoop around to find the missing man.��� The director also adds that Dileep���s character as a magician offers several visual possibilities in a 3D film and the star was excited to take up the role. Interestingly, the actor will be trained by magician Gopinath Muthukad for the same.
Ramachandra is the cinematographer of several path-breaking projects that had ushered in technological advancements in the industry, most notable among them being Alavudeenum Adbhutha Vilakkum (1979), which is touted as the first South Indian flick to be shot using CinemaScope format, and Padayottam (1982), the first Malayalam film to be released in 70 mm format.
���I���ve been tinkering with the idea of doing a 3D film for some time; now, with most of the theatres equipped to screen such films, there is scope for a wide release,��� says the four-time State Award-winning cinematographer. On the technological aspects, Ramachandra, who would also be handling the camera for the flick, says the team would be using two cameras for filming with special effects during the post production.
���We���ve made sure that the film is not replete with just visual effects, as it tends to bog down the viewing experience after a while. The flick is backed by a story that would have the audience rooted to their seats,��� says Ramachandra, adding that the film will go on floors next year.