Man who designed "anti-gravity room" 26 years before Nolan's Inception; Art director of India's first 3D movie; K Shekhar no more

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renowned art director K. Shekhar (72) passed away. He passed away at his home in Statue, Thiruvananthapuram. Shekhar made his debut in Malayalam cinema with the 1982 film 'Padayottam' directed by Jijo Punnoose. He was the costume and publicity designer in the film.

It was Shekhar who designed the "anti-gravity room" in the song 'Aalippazham Perukkaan' in the movie 'My Dear Kuttichathan'. The same technique was used by Christopher Nolan in Inception, 26 years later. Shekhar also worked on famous films like Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu and Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare.

The rotating room in the classic Indian 3D film My Dear Kuttichathan (1984) was a clever, low-tech visual illusion created by rotating the entire set on a giant, greased steel rig, making the actors appear to walk on walls and ceilings as if gravity shifted. The room was made using styrofoam props and fixed elements for orientation. The technique was inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey.