Movie Review: Shakuntala Devi.

Movie Review: ‘Shakuntala Devi’
Rating: 4/5
Director: Anu Menon
Cast: Vidya Balan, Jisshu Sengupta, Sanya Malhotra, Amit Sadh

A biographical drama on the life of Shakuntala Devi, the renowned mathematician, whose astounding skills of solving complex math problems in record time won her admiration and awe, the world over. Follow Spotlife Asia for the latest entertainment and lifestyle news.

Director Anu Menon reportedly had extensive discussions with Shakuntala Devi’s daughter, Anupama Banerjee, for around three years and the story and the screenplay was a culmination of that research. The film is as much about Anupama as it is about Shakuntala. More precisely, it’s about the mother-daughter bond they shared. This emotional cement holds the film together. Otherwise, it could easily have turned into a documentary of sorts into the central character’s improbable achievements.

‘Shankuntala Devi’ not only explores the mathematician’s fascinating relationship with numbers but her relationships beyond it as well – especially her life as a mother and a woman. If Shankuntala Devi’s intriguing journey which started off as a three-year-old solving difficult math problems and doing her own shows across schools was not remarkable enough – her fearless and independent spirit as a young woman in the 1950’s, who lived by her own rules adds to her dazzling persona. One which she fiercely protects through every stage of her life.‘Why should I be normal, when I can be amazing?’ Shakuntala Devi (Vidya Balan) asks her daughter Anupama (Sanya Malhotra), when during a skirmish the later questions why she can’t be a ‘normal’ mother.

The first hour of the film keeps one engaged with a fun, entertaining narrative – where in 1950s London, we see an eager and endearing Shakuntala Devi giving it her all and trying to pull off her shows despite all the odds. Her makeover and brushing up of English language skills spearheaded by her Spanish friend Javier (Luca Calvani), sees her undergo a transformation which brings out her vivacious nature. She is soon the toast of parties and a woman who lives her life with abandon. And when love comes in form of Paritosh Banerji (Jisshu Sengupta), she jumps right into the moment, by proposing marriage to him and having a baby soon after. It is when she is finally torn between motherhood and being the woman who she inherently is – a maths whiz, doing shows world over, that she is compelled to make some difficult choices.

Vidya Balan gets under the skin of her character and simply aces it in the titular role – she gives an unrestrained performance as Shakuntala Devi from the 1950s to 2000s which is captivating to watch, as every stage of her life unfolds. Jisshu Sengupta as the suave and sensitive Paritosh is a delight to watch and Amit Sadh as Anupama’s supportive husband, Ajay makes an impact even with his limited screen time.Sanya Malhotra as the slightly older Anupama brings in poise to her character, although her teenage act doesn’t quite pass off that easily.

It’s indeed a joy watching two accomplished actresses in one frame, bouncing off each other’s energies and having so much fun doing it. Both have aced their respective roles in this straight-from-the-heart film that teaches you that maths is simple, it’s relationships that have difficult equations,