Khudah Bukhsh: All You Need To Know About The Magician Who Inspired Roald Dahl's Magical Short Story

Netflix has recently launched ‘The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar,’ a short film directed by Wes Anderson, which has been creating quite a buzz among viewers. This cinematic adaptation draws its inspiration from Roald Dahl's book of the same name and revolves around the central character, Henry Sugar, as he embarks on a quest to attain supernatural abilities with the ultimate aim of amassing wealth. It's a heartwarming narrative that underscores the significance of selflessness and generosity, all within the distinctive storytelling style that Anderson is renowned for.

The Character Imdad Khan Is Inspired By Real Pakistani Magician Khudah Buksh

‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’ is a work of fiction. However, the story does draw some inspiration from real-life events. Legend has it that Roald Dahl's character, who possessed the ability to see without using his eyes, was influenced by a Pakistani mystic and magician known as Khudah Bukhsh or Kuda Bux. This real-world magician, Kuda Bux, gained international fame for performing seemingly impossible feats with his eyes closed or taped shut.

In a fascinating twist, an Instagram page called Brown History sheds light on Kuda Bux's remarkable abilities. He earned the moniker 'The Man with X-ray Eyes' for his incredible demonstrations. During one of his performances, Kuda Bux allowed sceptics, including reporters and doctors, to blindfold him in a rigorous manner. They covered his eyes with pliable dough, layers of cotton wool, adhesive tape, and tightly wound surgical bandages, securing the blindfold with a mask (Face masks). Despite these obstacles, Kuda Bux successfully passed a series of tests, including reading books, writing on a blackboard, navigating a room, stepping over objects, and picking them up, all of which left the audience applauding in astonishment.

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About ‘The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar’

In the movie, the main character, Henry, discovers a medical report about an Indian man who can see without using his eyes. Henry, a habitual gambler, envisions the financial potential of this power. After three years of meditative study, he gained the ability to see through cards and predict the future. The film, like the original story, employs a multi-chapter approach with Henry Sugar connecting them, akin to Wes Anderson's storytelling in ‘The French Dispatch.’ This style promises to weave various narratives into a cohesive and impactful conclusion.

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In the film, Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the role of Henry Sugar, while Ralph Fiennes portrays Roald Dahl. Additionally, Dev Patel assumes the character of Dr. Chatterjee, Ben Kingsley embodies Imdad Khan, Rupert Friend brings Claud to life, and Richard Ayoade portrays Dr. Marshall. ‘The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar’ is now streaming on Netflix. (netflix releases in october 2023)

Credits: Instagram