Vidya Balan starrer Shakuntala Devi is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Starring Vidya Balan in the titular role, Shakuntala Devi is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The biopic of the famed ‘human computer’ has been directed by Anu Menon. Alongside Vidya, the film also stars Sanya Malhotra, Amit Sadh and Jisshu Sengupta. From the trailer, we gathered that the movie follows the professional achievements of the famed mathematician. She was a world-renowned name in the field of Mathematics and she livened up a room with her glowing personality, but the trailer also hinted that her personal life wasn’t as perfect as her professional life. It is yet to be seen how Anu Menon has balanced the biopic with the pros and cons of Shakuntala Devi’s personality.
In an exclusive chat with indianexpress.com, Vidya Balan said that the biggest conflict of the film rises because of the way gender was perceived during Shakuntala Devi’s time. “Probably her biggest flaw, as a woman, was that she wanted it all. And as a woman, you are not allowed to have it all. She did not understand this difference between men and women because she did not define herself as a woman. She saw herself as a person, who happened to be a woman. This is the root of conflict in her person.” Vidya added that Shakuntala Devi is “not a puff piece.” What excited her while taking up this project was “the scope to tell Shakuntala Devi’s story as unapologetically as possible.”
Shakuntala Devi has premiered on Amazon Prime Video. Vidya Balan shared her two cents on the theater vs OTT debate and said that with new avenues coming in, “the horizon has just widened.” She said that there will be content that will be just for OTT, but “theaters will continue to survive and thrive because that community experience is unique.”
Before Shakuntala Devi, films like Gulabo Sitabo, Penguin, Law among others have already released on Amazon Prime Video. In the coming days, Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar have both decided to release a few films that were earlier meant for theaters. The other OTT releases of this week include Netflix’s Raat Akeli Hai starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte and Disney+ Hotstar’s Lootcase starring Kunal Kemmu. Vidyut Jammwal, Amit Sadh and Shruti Haasan starrer Yaara released on ZEE5 on July 30.
In her review, The Indian Express critic Shubhra Gupta wrote, "You wish that the film stayed with Shakuntala the maths genius a little more. It would have been nice to delve into the process with which Shakuntala did what she did, even though she had no clue: numbers just spoke to her. The fact that she had political ambitions (she stood for elections, and fought Indira Gandhi in Medak for a Lok Sabha seat) is papered over briefly; a little more focus on her now-affectionate-now-thorny relationship with the father of her daughter would have shed light on why she wrote a book on homosexuality, the first of its kind in India. What made her veer towards astrology? More light on these intriguing aspects would have given us a more rounded Shakuntala." Read more
"#ShakuntalaDeviReview phenomenal representation of a genius and fearless woman who never backed out. I loved how unapologetic Shakuntala Devi was about her ambitions and dreams. Beautiful characterization by @vidya_balan ma'am," @monimitra1997 tweeted.
Actor Aditi Raval has recommended her fans to watch Vidya Balan film Shakuntala Devi. Raval tweeted that she loved Vidya Balan in the film.
Director Anu Menon opened up on why she wanted Vidya Balan to play Shankuntala Devi. The director told indianexpress.com, “I wanted someone who could capture Shakuntala Devi’s essence. To me, that was more important than to look physically identical. What I wanted was someone who can get under her skin and get the nuances of this person. So, Vidya might not look exactly like Shakuntala, but she has that feeling of Shakuntala Devi. She has that South Indianess about her. Her attitude towards life is very similar to Shakuntala Devi. And, that has been our approach to storytelling. It’s more important to capture the attitude and essence."
"What a lovely movie! And what an amazing character, The Shakuntla Devi. @vidya_balan is as usual phenomenal in this. Great work by @sanyamalhotra07 and @TheAmitSadh too. Thanks @PrimeVideoIN for the first day show direct delivery to my living room. #ShakuntalaDevi #AmazonPrimeDay" Manik Sharma shared via Twitter.
Vidya Balan shared a video of Shakuntala Devi on Instagram. "The original #RaniHindustani! This is arguably one of my favourite videos of Shakuntala Devi. I have gone through the archives and seen so many, but her confidence and sass in this one always make me smile," she wrote.
Vidya Balan portrays the life of Shakuntala Devi in her recent film directed by Anu Menon.
Shakuntala Devi, also known as Human Computer, was never formally educated. Her performance in cognitive tests was not exceptional. However, even then she could multiply 13-digit numbers in seconds. How? Here's look at her skills, and what is known about how she cultivated them.
@aakriti0612 mentioned in a tweet, "How perfect mother doesn't exist yet every mother is perfect in her own ways #ShakuntalaDevi kudos to the team. @TheAmitSadh u never fail to spread ur charm sir & with ur beautiful smile it's like cherry on the top. Both supporting roles yet sooo Impactful @Jisshusengupta"
Director Sujoy Ghosh watched Shakuntala Devi on Friday. He shared, "i saw shakuntala devi last night. @vidya_balan is obviously having super fun with this one. and so is the film. great fun. and of course my bias towards @Jisshusengupta has to be mentioned :) see see"
Indianexpress.com's Priyanka Sharma shared what she felt about Shankuntala Devi film, which stars Vidya Balan in the titular role.
Jisshu Sengupta spoke to indianexpress.com about his film Shakuntala Devi, which stars Vidya Balan in the titular role.
Filmmaker Umesh Shukla said Shakuntala Devi is "well director and superbly performed." In a tweet, he mentioned, "Brilliant film #ShakuntalaDeviOnPrime very well directed #AnuMenon superbly performed...dignified portrayal of mathematician #Woman by my favourite @vidya_balan Congratulations @vikramix @vivekkrishnani bravo."
Sanya Malhotra shared a video on her Instagram in which the actor is dancing on Shah Rukh Khan's song.
@twit_sumeet called Vidya Balan film Shakuntala Devi a "riveting real life story."
In a tweet, he wrote, "#ShakuntalaDevi was reborn yesterday, thanks to the amazing raconteur that @anumenon1805 is. A riveting real life story of a genius who was undeniably brilliant at solving mathematics problems and blessed with sophisticated wit. Don’t miss this alluring saga of grit n greatness."
#ShakuntalaDevi is a such happy & an emotional ride .A reminder to celebrate the real “you” without letting the trappings of this society impact that. @vidya_balan, like Shakuntala has lived life by her rules & is such a perfect fit for this. @sanyamalhotra07‘s nuanced act is commendable," @rudrani_rudz mentioned in a tweet.
Nagpur Rural Police shared via tweet, "#Shakuntala_Devi has a great formula of protection from covid-19. Let's apply it and feel safe."
"Best wishes on the big day brother @Jisshusengupta, bested wishes to the inimitable @vidya_balan & the whole team," Bulbbul actor Parambrata tweeted.
Actor Sanya Malhotra, who plays Anupama Banerji in Shakuntala Devi, spoke about the Vidya Balan film.
In another tweet, Amit Sadh expressed gratitude towards all the audience love coming his way for his three projects that have released this week - Shakuntala Devi, Avridh and Yaara.
Amit Sadh tweeted his gratitude towards being a part of Shakuntala Devi's cast. "While I am EXCITED about all my work - as a viewer, I will FIRST be watching #ShakuntalaDevi on @PrimeVideoIN because of the one and the only Vidya Balan - and my undying love for her! She is absolutely wonderful and I am thrilled to have been given a chance to work with her," he wrote.
Kaushik LM wrote a series of tweets which read, "#ShakuntalaDevi: A film driven by its lead women; the men play the support parts. After Dirty Picture, it's another tour de force biopic performance by @vidya_balan, in a wide span of phases & looks. She's simply the best we have, when it comes to such meaty roles!"He added, "#ShakuntalaDevi: Dangal girl @sanyamalhotra07 is highly impressive playing Vidya's daughter. The mother - daughter relationship is the foundation of the film; it's a tribute to all working mothers who try their best to multi-task. #ShakuntalaDeviOnPrime GOOD ONE. Worth watching." In another tweet, he wrote, "#ShakuntalaDevi: Yet again, an incredible show by the inimitable @vidya_balan ud83dudc4c She plays the eccentric, dramatic, free-spirited 'Human Computer' with full Josh. Can't imagine anyone else in this! It's a largely engaging biopic which gets progressively better. Lovely endingud83dudc4c
Trade guru Sreedhar Pillai tweeted, "#ShakuntalaDevi bio-pic on the ‘human computer’’captures essence of a complex woman & her flaws & frailties very well. @vidya_balan is brilliant as the woman torn between maths & motherhood & @sanyamalhotra07 is perfect foil. Dir @anumenon1805 gets the essence right. Enjoyable!"
Lead actor Vidya Balan was happy to bring the film to the audience.
Sumit Kadel tweeted, "#ShakuntalaDevi - DISSATISFYING. First 30 mins is FANTASTIC, showcased the joruney of Shakuntala from a poor girl to a genius famous mathematician. Rest 1.30 hrs is dragged & boring Mother-daughter relationship which ends on a bizarre note. Vidya balan act is FAB. Rating- ????"
The Indian Express' film critic, Shubhra Gupta wrote in her review, "Balan owns the material that she is given, course-correcting every time she tends to slip into being mannered. The supporting cast is fine. Sengupta works well with Balan, and Malhotra and Sadh, as the modern couple, feel right. The film, which stays determinedly cheerful even in the grey hues of London, slides into flatness here and there. The lines are perky but sometimes startlingly contemporary (did anyone say, for example, ‘let’s take this to the next level’, back in the 50s?). But then we slide right back: this is truly a Vidya Balan show, and she carries it off, with a glint in the eye, and a lilt in the step."
Read more: Shakuntala Devi review: A Vidya Balan show
Actor Amit Sadh, who plays the onscreen husband of Sanya Malhotra in Shakuntala Devi, tweeted fans to watch the film.
Praising Shakuntala Devi team, actor Taapsee Pannu shared on Twitter, "Vidya kasam bohot pyaari picture banayi hai"
Trade guru Joginder Tuteja tweeted, "#Exclusive #ShakuntalaDevi is a very good film where right at the onset, you get to see the great mathematician’s brilliance. In fact what also sets this @anumenon1805 film apart is that certain grey shades of the lady are also shown which tell how even a genius is a human being!"