Chennai: A bio-pic on a math genius need not be centered around numbers. She had a life to live on her own terms. She was caught between her dreams and motherhood.
Had the will to chase her goals. This has been brought out on screen in an engrossing manner where a ‘human’ computer is shown as an strong-willed individual with battery of emotions by filmmaker Anu Menon. And with a talented Vidya Balan playing the titular role, the job gets all the more easy for Anu Menon.
The movie travels back and forth throwing light on choices Shakuntala Devi makes in her life and her strained relationship with her parents or much later with her own daughter. Pursue what you want and never regret your decisions. This is the underlying message of Shakuntala Devi where her math skills provides a strong backdrop. Of course, melo-drama elements in the movie add value to numbers.
As someone in saree and pigtails going abroad performing her math shows, Vidya Balan brings out true essence of Shakunthala’s character.
Caught in a series of conflicts in her personal life one after another, she overcomes them with courage as she always believes numbers never fail her. A few philosophical messages thrown with subtle humour by dialogue writer Ishita Moitra add strength to the proceedings.
If Vidya Balan’s performance as strong fiesty woman is awe-inspiring, Sanya Malhotra as her perplexed daughter who doesn’t want to be in the shadow of her mom’s pride is equally good. Jisshu Sengupta as Shakuntala’s husband and Amit Sadha as her son-in-law liven up the proceedings.
Released on Amazon Prime this corona time, Shakuntala Devi is definitely watchable for it speaks loud of a woman, her aspiration, desire and goal and how she achieves them come what may.