Shakuntala Devi Movie | |
Director: | Anu Menon |
Cast: | Vidya Balan, Jisshu Sengupta, Sanya Malhotra, Amit Sadh |
Producer: | Vikram Malhotra |
Release Date: | 31 July 2020 |
Platform: | Amazon Prime |
Shakuntala Devi Movie Plot:
Shakuntala Devi is a gifted Indian mathematician with an unimaginable talent for the subject. Coming from a very poor society as her family struggles to earn their daily living. After realizing their daughter’s talent they start earning by participating her in different competitions. As she got popular for her surprising skill she travels all over the world. In her journey of success, freedom & living on own terms it brought trouble among her & her daughter, worsening their bond. As people started to recognize her talent, they soon tag her as human computer.
Shakuntala Devi Review
Shakuntala Devi Movie Story:
Vidya Balan as Shakuntala Devi just nailed this character. She was smart, confident & overall had the impression of an intellect. This movie not only shows her authentic love for mathematics but also explores her relationship with her daughter (played by Sanya Malhotra) & father (played by Jisshu Sengupta). School education was never enough for the young Shakuntala. Solving number problems since three, earning for her family to growing up & getting invited from different parts of the world instilled self determination. Hence, she got indulged in arrogance. As Vidya quoted several times in the film- “Why should I be normal, when I can be amazing?” You will enjoy her fearless & independent spirit as a young woman in the 1950s who lives on her own terms, bounded by no man.
Another aspect of her life that was showed in a rather realistic way is personal life. Yes, she was a marvel at solving toughest equations & awe the audiences around the globe but her personal life relationships were miserable. Her anger towards her mother who never could stand for her, her relations with men in her life that finally ended in resentment towards her husband. All her narcissist attitude affected her relation with her daughter.
Her daughter, Anupama Banerji who was brought up most by her father was separated as Shakuntala wanted to fulfil her responsibility of motherhood. That never turned out good as it filled Anupama’s heart with bitterness towards her mother.
Shakuntala Devi Movie Performance:
Sanya Malhotra’s act alongside Vidya Balan was perfect. Her young self to growing up to be a mature woman, all expressions & body language was accurately portrayed.
Shakuntala’s husband Paritosh, is played by Jisshu Sengupta. He was mostly at the second half of the movie & he was a delight to watch. A caring father who once loved his wife, fighting to take responsibility of their daughter- all these situations in a man’s life is justified by Jisshu’s act. Amit Sadh played Anupama’s husband. Although his screen time was little but his screen presence was good & refreshing. Especially after his stealing performance in Breathe: Into the Shadows his fan base is growing huge.
Shakuntala Devi Movie VERDICT:
It is a decent movie worth one time watch. This movie had few songs in the beginning to make the glorious life of young Shakuntala Devi gala & entertaining, it didn’t affected the story though. As the story flows and more important characters got introduce, the movie got very practical. Watch this film for Vidya Balan & Sanya Malhotra’s amazing performances & the mother-daughter fight sequences between them will just move your heart.
Another thing that I liked about this movie is its storytelling & how it was not only about the successful mathematician but her failure to be a good mother that she herself never got. The story is told through the lens of her relationship with her daughter. And how Anupama was able to cope her with her proud unstable mother & finally accepts her for what she is. The film highlights primarily two women- their very different struggles and aspirations.