‘Shaitaan’ starring Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, Jyothika, Anngad Raaj and Janki Bodiwala released on Netflix on May 4. The plot revolves around a family’s struggle when their daughter falls under the spell of black magic cast by a stranger, leading them to uncover the stranger’s motives and stop the possession. The unsuspecting family’s teenage daughter falls prey to a malevolent force. The film leaves the exact nature of the entity ambiguous, but there are strong suggestions of black magic being at play. However, a pertinent question arises, how much does the movie draw from real life instances of black magic? Here’s what we know:
Real Black magic in India
A study was conducted by the British Ecological Society in Karnataka regarding slender lorises, particularly focusing on Bengaluru. It notes a significant number of cases related to slender lorises, with a portion attributed to black magic practices and trafficking, especially associated with black magic. The study identifies three main categories of people's interactions with slender lorises: traditional medicine, black magic rituals, and non-black magic rituals. Traditional medicine employs live or dead lorises for various ailments, while black magic utilizes them for negative purposes such as hypnotism. Non-black magic rituals often involve using lorises to ward off evil. Gypsies are highlighted as a group that employs slender lorises in rituals, such as whipping them to ward off evil or selling them to villagers for luck. The study also mentions practices like pulling out the lorises' teeth for easier handling and using them for fortune-telling. Despite efforts to avoid legal risks, practitioners sometimes dispose of lorises when they are in pain or dying.
Ajay Devgn on black magic
During a trailer launch event for the movie, Ajay Devgn expressed his interest in the horror genre and shared his belief in the existence of black magic. On being asked about the paranormal, Ajay said, "I wanted to do horror as a genre for a long time, I had done Bhoot before. I love this genre because black magic exists in every culture. This film is not just about me, anybody whose family faces this will have a sense of responsibility. I am one of them.”
"I have had many experiences, I don’t know how much of them are true, and how many are in the head. But I have rarely met anyone who does not believe in this. When we leave the house or fall sick, the first thing that comes to mind is that it is an evil eye. This belief is unanimous," he concluded.
More about Shaitaan
The movie is a remake of the Gujarati film “Vash,” which was released in 2023 and takes viewers on a chilling journey into the realm of black magic. The film cleverly weaves the supernatural with a relatable family drama, making the horror all the more unsettling.