Film Review: “Shakuntala Devi” Treats the Legendary Mathematician Like a Rock Star
Due to its stellar acting, ingenious directing, and uplifting themes, Shakuntala Devi turns a story about an Indian mathematician into a surprisingly entertaining romp.
Women in STEM (an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are finally getting their stories on the big screen. Several films feature these wicked smart ladies, including Hidden Figures, a biopic about three black women working at NASA during the Space Race; and, Radioactive, a drama that focuses on the true-life story of world-renowned chemist Marie Curie. But did you know there is a film about Indian mathematician, astrologer, and author Shakuntala Devi? A genius in her own right, Shakuntala Devi came into prominence thanks to her innate ability to solve complicated math equations in record speed without any formal education. Fierce, bright, and one of a kind, Shakuntala proves that an Indian woman in a sari and braids can do just about anything. With production by Sony Pictures Networks India and Abundantia Entertainment, Shakuntala’s story finally gets its due as a charming Hindi-language dramedy.
Shakuntala Devi follows the incredible life story of the genius Indian woman. The biopic begins in Bangalore, 1934. Young Shakuntala (Ariana Nand) plays outside while her older cousin Srinivas (Ahan Nirban) completes his math homework on a small chalkboard. As she watches her cousin struggle to solve the cube root of 8, the intelligent child quickly formulates the equation in her head and answers the question within seconds. Shocked and awed, Shakuntala’s cousin show her talents off to the rest of their family. This discovery prompts Shakuntala’s father (Prakash Belawadi) to use her math skills as a business opportunity. Instead of giving his daughter a proper education like a good father, the greedy man forces his daughter to perform complicated math problems at multiple schools per day, much to Shakuntala’s dismay.
When Shakuntala (now Vidya Balan) becomes an adult, she leaves her family behind and takes her math show to London. Though the Indian woman meets resistance from various people, Shakuntala manages to gain the mentorship of Spanish mathematician Javier (Luca Calvani). With the backing of this man, the young woman makes her show more appealing to Western audiences. Within months, Shakuntala performs her shows in front of audiences worldwide and even outsmart a computer on national television. However, as the bright woman rises to the top, she soon discovers that balancing her professional and domestic life is more complicated than solving a math problem.
Most films about smarter-than-average folks tend to portray the lead character as a moody misunderstood genius, à la A Beautiful Mind, but this film positions Shakuntala as a rock star.
An accomplished Indian actor in her own right, Balan brings genius mathematician Shakuntala to life in a delightfully entertaining way. Her portrayal is fierce, comedic, deceptively nuanced, and adorable, all at once. Whether it’s proving the British men wrong while wearing a sari at the Royal Mathematical Society in London or arguing with her ex-husband about their child’s education, the actress embodies the fearless Shakuntala quite well. Sanya Malhotra also holds her own as Shakuntala’s adult daughter Anu (short for Anupama). Though their mother-daughter schtick may feel a little melodramatic at times, particularly towards the end of the film, their chemistry is what sells the relationship. The leading men are just as appealing as the leading ladies too. Balan and Malhorta may bring the drama, but it is Jisshu Sengupta and Amit Sadh as Shakuntala and Anu’s husbands that bring the heart. They show how men can help support their spouses, even when they do not necessarily see eye to eye.
Though the acting is excellent, it is Anu Menon’s directing that makes the film shine. This filmmaker keenly knows how to turn a story about a genius mathematician into a fun ride. Most films about smarter-than-average folks tend to portray the lead character as a moody misunderstood genius, à la A Beautiful Mind, but this film positions Shakuntala as a rock star. Like Beyoncé or Shakira, Shakuntala travels the world, wears fashionable clothes, performs at sold-out shows, and hosts glamorous parties. But instead of a party full of groupies, it is stack with intellectuals. The director even adds a little razzle-dazzle to the math problems. By explaining the complicated math problems with splashy graphics, we can follow Shakuntala as she quickly solves the problem. And even if one can not understand how she does it, watching her slay the equations with ease is still entertaining. The soundtrack also compliments the film quite nicely. Songs such as Sunidhi Chauhan’s “Rani Hindustani” and Benny Dayal and Monali Thakur’s “Jhilmil Piya” give the film a boost of energy.
But the most intriguing thing about the film is how it celebrates women in STEM, particularly women of color who pursue the field. It may seem farfetched for a woman to make math an entertaining performance act. But in a world full of Carl Sagans, Stephen Hawkings, and Bill Nye the Science Guys, why can not an Indian woman in a sari and braids make solving math problems fun too? Like Hidden Figures, Shakuntala Devi proves that women can achieve greatness by pursuing careers outside the norm. Seeing Shakuntala outsmart men after men (and computers) as she solves complicated math problems is empowering for women and girls everywhere. If a math teacher is looking for a film to inspire their female students to take their studies seriously, this film will do just that.
Overall, Menon and her team do a splendid job of telling Shakuntala’s incredible life story. Due to its stellar acting, ingenious directing, and uplifting themes, Shakuntala Devi turns a story about an Indian mathematician into a surprisingly entertaining romp. This biographical film will undoubtedly inspire young girls worldwide to pick up a math book and solve complicated math equations in front of a classroom full of boys like Shakuntala.
Originally published at https://www.hiphylecia.com on August 15, 2020.
