Franz Harary sent his special video message for the delegates and participants of Gili Gili 2001.

In his video message he said 
" . . It is truly difficult to put into words just how much I regret the fact that I am not there with you. 

Nevertheless, I am here in the Universal Studios in the US, even though I am here in body , let me assure you that in my heart I am sitting there right next to Shankar Junior

In fact I want to take this opportunity to thank you Shankar Junior, Shankar, your family and the entire Gili Gili constituency. It is an amazing opportunity and I am extremely regretful that I wasn't able to be there.

When Shankar called me many many months ago and told me that he wanted to honor me in this convention, at first I was flattered and quiet honestly blown away that he would consider me. Since then my magic has taken me many many really amazing places. But I assure you, this is the truth, I had looked forward to none of those places as much as I was looking forward in being with you guys. I am really really sorry that it didn't happen for me . . . "

Realizing the fact that he would get stuck there in the US, Franz Harary did the next best thing, he sent his video tape shot not too long ago and the people of Udupi were the first ones to see that.

Though Franz was not present in 3D he was always with the Shankars' from his heart and sent his video of the illusion in which he made a Jumbo Jet materialize out of thin air at the Abudhabi Airport.