India's Suhani Shah has become the first Indian female mentalist to win big at the International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM) World Championship held in Italy. She bagged the prestigious title of ‘Best Magic Creator’, making her country proud on a global stage.
Shah’s fame skyrocketed internationally after her jaw-dropping appearance on The Project, an Australian television show. In a now-viral segment, she shocked audiences by accurately revealing a presenter’s iPhone passcode, and then exposing another presenter’s crush using nothing but her extraordinary mentalist skills. The feat not only left the hosts stunned but also turned Suhani into a global internet sensation overnight.
Humble beginnings in Udaipur
Born on January 29, 1990, Suhani hails from a Marwari family in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Without any formal connections in the world of magic or mentalism, her journey was anything but ordinary. At the age of six, she reportedly told her parents she wanted to become a magician, a dream not commonly heard from Indian girls at the time. Interestingly, her father was a magician himself, who became her first supporter and mentor.
Dropped out early to chase the stage
Suhani performed her first live magic show at just seven years old in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in October 1997. Her passion for magic was so consuming that she left school after Class 1, choosing instead to tour the country performing live shows. She is one of the rare personalities in India who has forged a full-fledged career in mentalism and magic purely through experience and self-learning.
From hypnotherapy to bestseller author
In addition to being a stage performer, Suhani is also a trained hypnotherapist. She once ran a hypnotherapy center in Goa, where she worked on helping individuals deal with anxiety, stress, and trauma. However, she later closed the practice as she found herself missing the thrill of performing on stage.
She is also an author of the motivational book Unleash Your Inner Power, where she shares her life lessons and insights into building confidence, dealing with self-doubt, and creating a fulfilling life.
Redefining mentalism in India
Suhani Shah is now widely credited for modernising and popularising the art of mentalism in India. With no wand or deck of cards in hand, she performs magic that reads minds, interprets thoughts, and stuns crowds with sharp psychological insights. Her performances often blend storytelling, psychology, and human behavior, making her shows not just magical, but deeply engaging.
After her historic win at FISM, Suhani continues to inspire a new generation of Indian magicians and mentalists. She regularly tours with her live shows, hosts mentalism workshops, and is active on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, where she shares insights into her craft.
