In 2017, when Pourush Chandra Sorcar, also known as PC Sorcar Master, last graced the stage in Chennai, the world was a different place. At the renowned Krishna Gana Sabha, during a performance organized by Priya Cultural, Pourush mesmerized a full house with astonishing feats of magic—pulling pigeons out of nowhere and pouring water from an empty bottle were just a couple of highlights. The audience was spellbound, erupting in applause and gasps of wonder at every turn of his hand.
With a confident smile and an all-encompassing aura of mystery, Pourush continued to captivate audiences with packed shows across various cities until 2019. His storied legacy as the grandson of India’s legendary magician PC Sorcar and the son of Provas Chandra Sorcar carried the family’s magical tradition forward, thrilling audiences wherever he performed.
However, life took an unexpected turn when the pandemic struck. Pourush’s family faced numerous illnesses, and the world of show business spiraled into a state of despair. Tragically, his mother passed away, further darkening an already trying period. Pourush reflects on those challenging times, saying, “Bad things kept happening. Everything suddenly looked bleak, and I even lost a lot of my hair! My enemies became friends because we all realized how fleeting life is.”
During this whirlwind of adversity, the burgeoning prominence of OTT platforms caught Pourush’s eye. In a world grappling with the fear of venturing into cinema halls, these online streaming services seemed like a beacon of hope. Pourush saw an opportunity to reinvent and perpetuate the art of magic, bringing it to new audiences through digital media.
Fast forward to 2024, and Pourush is ready to unveil his pilot project, “Chhoo Mantar”—an hour-long feature film centered on magic, slated for release on an OTT platform soon. The film is a blend of fiction and tradition, drawing inspiration from stories meticulously preserved by his family, and penned by his legendary grandfather. “Chhoo Mantar,” and the subsequent feature films in the pipeline, will portray the evolution of magic in India.
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Remarkably, Pourush himself takes on the lead role in “Chhoo Mantar.” He explains, “The film will transport you to the very roots of magic in Indian villages while intertwining fictional narrative elements. It revolves around the conflict between a black magician and Sorcar. Today’s youngsters look up to superheroes, and my grandfather was a superhero in his own right. He revolutionized the magic industry. In the India of the past, magicians performed street tricks for coins, but my grandfather transformed it into an entertainment art form, convincing people to buy tickets to see his shows.”
During a recent visit to Chennai, Pourush discussed plans for the release of “Chhoo Mantar.” He shared his vision for the future, explaining that while “Chhoo Mantar” was filmed in just three months, thanks to a combination of Pourush’s live performances for the camera and a wealth of stock footage from the family archives, future projects will evolve based on audience feedback.
“In my films, I aim to depict events from the past because if I don’t capture them now, they may be lost forever,” Pourush says. Looking ahead, he plans to establish a magic museum, showcasing the props and equipment passed down since his grandfather’s era.
Determined to draw younger audiences to the art of magic, Pourush envisions featuring popular film stars from Southern cinema and Bollywood in cameo roles in his upcoming projects. “We plan to stage a live show soon, but we must adapt to changing public tastes,” he notes confidently.
Through “Chhoo Mantar” and his future film ventures, Pourush Chandra Sorcar is set on extending his grandfather’s extraordinary magic legacy into the digital age. Despite the challenges, PC Sorcar Productions perseveres, bringing a timeless art form to a new generation through innovative storytelling on OTT platforms.
The Hindu MetroPlus / entertainment (general).
