Ajay Kumar: Created a new article

2023-08-20T04:39:33Z

Created a new article

New page

{{short description|2020 Indian film directed by Anu Menon}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Shakuntala Devi
| image = Shakuntala Devi Film.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Poster
| director = [[Anu Menon]]
| producer = [[Sony Pictures Releasing]] [[Sony Pictures Networks India]] Vikram Malhotra
| screenplay = Anu Menon Nayanika Mahtani [[Ishita Moitra]] (Dialogues)
| based_on = [[Shakuntala Devi]]
| starring = {{ubl|[[Vidya Balan]]|[[Jisshu Sengupta]]|[[Sanya Malhotra]]|[[Amit Sadh]]}}
| music = '''Songs:''' [[Sachin-Jigar]] '''Score:''' Karan Kulkarni
| cinematography = Keiko Nakahara
| editing = Antara Lahiri
| studio = [[Sony Pictures Releasing]] Abundantia Entertainment [[Sony Pictures Networks India|Sony Pictures Networks Productions]] Genius Films
| distributor = [[Amazon Prime Video]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2020|07|31|ref1=<ref name="release date"/>}}
| runtime = 127 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/shakuntala-devi-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00otgwmji|title=Shakuntala Devi (2020) |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref>
| country = India
| budget = 
| gross = 
| language = [[Hindi]]
}}

'''''Shakuntala Devi''''' is a 2020 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[biographical film|biographical]] [[drama film]] tracing the life of mathematician [[Shakuntala Devi]], who was also known as the "human computer".<ref>{{cite tweet|user=taran_adarsh| author=Taran Adarsh|date=12 December 2019|number = 1205003573425164288 |title=Release date finalized: 31 July 2020... #VidyaBalan in and as #ShakuntalaDevi... Costars Sanya Malhotra and Jisshu Sengupta... Directed by Anu Menon... Produced by Sony Pictures Networks Productions and Abundantia Entertainment.https://t.co/DfRPk6ypQA}}</ref> It is written and directed by [[Anu Menon]] and produced by [[Sony Pictures Networks India]], Abundantia Entertainment and Genius Films.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shakuntala Devi: Vidya Balan transforms into maths genius as the film goes on floor today|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/shakuntala-devi-vidya-balan-transforms-into-maths-genius-as-the-film-goes-on-floor-today/|access-date=16 September 2019|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=16 September 2019 }}</ref> The film stars [[Vidya Balan]] in a titular role as Shakuntala Devi, along with [[Sanya Malhotra]], [[Amit Sadh]] and [[Jisshu Sengupta]] in supporting roles while child artist [[Spandan Chaturvedi]] in her film debut gives a cameo appearance as young Shakuntala.<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 September 2019|title='Shakuntala Devi' teaser: Vidya Balan gives us a glimpse into the extraordinary life of the mathematical genius|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/shakuntala-devi-teaser-vidya-balan-gives-us-a-glimpse-into-the-extraordinary-life-of-the-mathematical-genius/articleshow/71144672.cms}}</ref>

[[Principal photography]] took place from September 2019 to November 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/shakuntala-devi-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00otgwmji|title=Shakuntala Devi (2020) |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref> Originally planned for cinema release in May 2020, it was delayed owing to [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]].<ref name="release date">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/bollywood/story/shakuntala-devi-release-date-out-vidya-balan-film-to-hit-amazon-prime-on-july-31-1696335-2020-07-02|title=Shakuntala Devi release date out: Vidya Balan film to hit Amazon Prime on July 31|date=2 July 2020|website=[[India Today]]|language=en-US|access-date=2 July 2020}}</ref> Later, the film was directly streamed on [[Amazon Prime Video]] online on 31 July 2020 coinciding with [[Eid al-Adha|Eid-al-Adha]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/vidya-balan-film-shakuntala-devi-release-date-6487239/lite/|title=Vidya Balan's film Shakuntala Devi gets a release date|date=2 July 2020|work=[[Indian Express]]|access-date=2 July 2020}}</ref> Vidya Balan was also nominated for the 2021 [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress]].

== Plot ==
In 2001, Anupama Banerjee arrives in [[London]] with her husband Ajay, and reveals that she is suing her mother, [[Shakuntala Devi]].

The film shifts to Shakuntala Devi's childhood in [[Bengaluru]] in the 1930s, where her family discovers her incredible talent for quickly solving complex mathematical problems in her head. Her father, Bishaw, decides to use Shakuntala's talent and have her do "math shows," where she would entertain people with her problem solving prowess. Shakuntala continues to do math shows and earn for the family as she grows up, but blames her father for not letting her live a normal childhood. She also blames her mother for not standing up to him, especially in the wake of her sister's death. In 1954, she leaves for London after a violent altercation with her boyfriend, Dhiraj, after she learns that he had been pretending to love her even though he had a marriage fixed and even the invites printed out.

In London, Shakuntala lives with Tarabai in her home with three other Indian men, but struggles to find opportunities for her shows. But, she eventually manages to impress Javier, a Spanish mathematician when she shows off her skills at the Royal Mathematical Society in London. He helps improve Shakuntala's English and helps her get shows, and the pair begin a relationship as well. Shakuntala's popularity rapidly grows, and is given the nickname "The Human Computer" after she proves a computer wrong on a TV show. She expands her global influence by performing in other countries, and becomes a worldwide celebrity. Amidst all of this, Javier ends his relationship with Shakuntala, stating that he needs to return to Spain.

In 1968, Shakuntala meets Paritosh Banerji in [[Mumbai]], and the two quickly fall in love. The couple eventually get married and settle in [[Kolkata]], with the aspirations of starting a family. In 1970, Shakuntala gives birth to Anupama, nicknamed Anu, and devotes her life to being a mother. However, she realizes how much she misses doing shows and decides to resume her career, leaving Anu with Paritosh. Shakuntala continues to amaze people, and even makes it into [[Guinness World Records|''The Guinness Book of Records'']], but she worries about being an uncaring mother. Ultimately, she decides to take Anu with her on her travels, much to Paritosh's dismay. They soon divorce.

While growing up, Anu travels around the world with her mother. As Shakuntala is constantly exploring new career avenues, Anu finds herself constantly ignored and disenchanted with her life. Even after enrolling Anu in a boarding school, Shakuntala uses every opportunity she can to have Anu accompany her. This reaches a breaking point when a teenage Anu lashes out at her mother for building her career at the expense of her childhood. In response, Shakuntala takes a break and settles with Anu in London, even supporting her business aspirations. This helps the two become close. Their relationship sours again when an adult Anu decides to marry Ajay Abhaya Kumar, a businessman. Shakuntala informs Ajay of her expectation of him moving with them to London, despite him being settled in Bengaluru. Anu accuses her mother of constantly holding her back and not letting her live her own life. Shakuntala, unwilling to let her daughter go, threatens to shut down Anu's business. Anu cuts off all contact with Shakuntala, and marries Ajay. She decides to not have children, fearing that she won't be a good mother. Despite this, Anu gives birth to a daughter, Amritha.

Anu and Ajay receive a shock when they are informed that Shakuntala used her power of attorney to sell Anu's business properties, while giving her zero percent of the profit share. Furthermore, she passed the payment of the capital gains tax on to Anu, leaving her family in massive debt. Anu and Ajay decide to take legal action against Shakuntala, and travel to London for the proceedings. Upon their arrival, they discover that Shakuntala's actions were a stunt, done so she could force her daughter to come see her. Shakuntala gives Anu the profit received from the sale of her properties, and asks for her forgiveness. Anu forgives her mother, and the two have an emotional reunion.

== Cast ==
*[[Vidya Balan]] as [[Shakuntala Devi]] a.k.a. "Shaku": Paritosh's former wife, Anupama's mother and Amrita's grandmother
**[[Spandan Chaturvedi]] as teenage Shakuntala
**Araina Nand as child Shakuntala
*[[Jisshu Sengupta]] as Paritosh Bannerji: Shakuntala's former husband, Anupama's father and Amrita's grandfather<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/jisshu-sengupta-to-play-vidya-balans-husband-in-shakuntala-devi-human-computer-2381801.html |title=Jisshu Sengupta to Play Vidya Balan's Husband in Shakuntala Devi Human Computer |date=11 November 2019 |website=[[News18]] |access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref>
*[[Sanya Malhotra]] as Anupama Bannerji a.k.a. "Anu": Shakuntala and Paritosh's daughter; Ajay's wife and Amrita's mother.<ref>{{cite news|author=Vasudevan, Aishwarya|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-shakuntala-devi-makers-rope-in-sanya-malhotra-to-play-vidya-balan-s-onscreen-daughter-2791550 |title='Shakuntala Devi': Makers rope in Sanya Malhotra to play Vidya Balan's onscreen daughter |date=22 September 2019 |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref>
** Chahat Tewani as Anu (teenage)
*[[Amit Sadh]] as Ajay Abhaya Kumar: Anupama's husband and Amrita's father<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/shakuntala-devi-human-computer-amit-sadh-joins-the-cast-of-vidya-balan-s-film-1617055-2019-11-08 |title=Shakuntala Devi Human Computer: Amit Sadh joins Vidya Balan's film |date=8 November 2019 |work=[[India Today]] |access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref>
* [[Prakash Belawadi]] as Bishaw Mitra Mani: Shakuntala's father<ref name="New Indian Express">{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2020/jul/29/kannada-industry-shouldve-made-film-on-shakuntala-devi-2176035.amp |title='Kannada industry should've made film on Shakuntala Devi' |date=29 July 2020 |work=New Indian Express |access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref>
* [[Nisha Aaliya]] as Bookshop Interviewer,<ref name="New Indian Express"/>
* [[Sheeba Chaddha]] as Tarabai Banarsi, Shakuntala's landlady in London
* Vidyuth Gargi as Mohan Manhas, a TV game show host
* Ipshita Chakraborty Singh as Mrs. Devi, Shakuntala's mother
* Jiya Shah as Sharada Devi, Shaku's sister
* Renuka Sharma as Mrs. Kumar, Ajay's mother
* [[Neil Bhoopalam]] as Dheeraj Rajan, Shakuntala's former boyfriend
* [[Luca Calvani]] as Javier Lewis, Shakuntala's Spanish boyfriend based in London.
**
* Lan Bailey as Mediator
* Ahan Nirbhan as Srinivas
* Adi Chugh as Kartar
* Philip Roy as Shakuntala's lawyer
* Jack Francis as Anupama's lawyer
* Santosh Banerjee as Gordhanbhai

== Release ==
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the film was not released theatrically and streamed on [[Amazon Prime Video]] worldwide on 31 July 2020.<ref name="release date" /> Vidya Balan expressed her delight on social media platforms regarding the release of the film on [[over-the-top media services]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/vidya-balanstarrer-shakuntala-devi-to-premiere-on-july-31-on-amazon-prime-video/1884138 |title=Vidya Balan-starrer ''Shakuntala Devi'' to premiere on July 31 on Amazon Prime Video |date=2 July 2020 |work=Outlook India |access-date=2 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=9 July 2020|title=Vidya Balan's Shakuntala Devi Full Movie Watch Online on Amazon Prime From 31 July|url=https://moviespie.com/news/news-movies/vidya-balans-shakuntala-devi-full-movie-watch-online-on-amazon-prime-from-31-july/|access-date=9 July 2020|website=Moviespie|language=en-US|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922162729/https://www.moviespie.com/news/news-movies/vidya-balans-shakuntala-devi-full-movie-watch-online-on-amazon-prime-from-31-july/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vidya Balan's Shakuntala Devi Movie Review & Rating |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/movie-reviews/vidya-balans-shakuntala-devi-movie-review-rating-77684 |agency=the hans india}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Shakuntala Devi
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Sachin–Jigar]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 21 July 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/shakuntala-devi/KU0oVjoI8Q0|title=Shakuntala Devi – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack |date=21 July 2020 |publisher=Jiosaavn}}</ref>
| recorded = 2019
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 11:35
| language = Hindi
| label = [[Zee Music Company]]
| producer =
| prev_title = [[Angrezi Medium]]
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = [[Roohi (2021 film)|Roohi]]
| next_year = 2021
| misc = {{External media
| audio1 = {{YouTube|BKO2Xva_s3I|Official Audio Jukebox}}
}}}}

The film's music was composed by [[Sachin–Jigar]] while lyrics written by Vayu and [[Priya Saraiya]].

{{Tracklist
| headline = Track listing
| total_length = 11:35
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Pass Nahi Toh Fail Nahi
| extra1 = [[Sunidhi Chauhan]]
| lyrics1 = Vayu
| length1 = 2:31
| title2 = Rani Hindustani
| extra2 = Sunidhi Chauhan
| lyrics2 = [[Vayu]]
| length2 = 2:24
| title3 = Paheli
| extra3 = [[Shreya Ghoshal]]
| lyrics3 = [[Priya Saraiya]]
| length3 = 3:21
| title4 = Jhilmil Piya
| extra4 = [[Benny Dayal]], [[Monali Thakur]]
| lyrics4 = Priya Saraiya
| length4 = 3:19
| all_writing =
| title5 =
| length5 =
| title6 =
| length6 =
| title7 =
| length7 =
| title8 =
| length8 =
| title9 =
| length9 =
| title10 =
| length10 =
}}

==Critical reception==
''Shakuntala Devi'' received positive reviews from critics.

Sreeparna Sengupta of ''[[Times of India]]'' gave the film three and half stars out of five and said, "A joy to watch simply to soak in the fascinating life and times of the maths whiz – a human computer faster than an actual computer, the free-spirit, who was all that and so much more!"<ref>{{Citation|last=Sengupta|first=Sreeparna|title=Shakuntala Devi Movie Review: Soak yourself in the fascinating life and times of Shakuntala Devi!|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/shakuntala-devi/movie-review/77269254.cms|work=[[Times Of India]]|access-date=1 August 2020}}</ref>

Shubhra Gupta of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' rated it three out of five stars, calling it "a Vidya Balan show".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/shakuntala-devi-movie-release-live-updates-vidya-sanya-6531915/|title=Shakuntala Devi movie review and release: Fans hail Vidya Balan's performance|work=The Indian Express|date=31 July 2020|access-date=31 July 2020}}</ref>

[[Saibal Chatterjee]] of ''[[NDTV]]'' opined "the numbers add up nicely with a feisty Vidya Balan", giving the movie three out of five stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/shakuntala-devi-movie-review-the-numbers-add-up-nicely-with-a-feisty-vidya-balan-3-stars-out-of-5-2271731|title=Shakuntala Devi Movie Review: The Numbers Add Up Nicely With A Feisty Vidya Balan|work=NDTV|date=31 July 2020|first=Saibal|last=Chatterjee|access-date=31 July 2020}}</ref>

Mike McCahill of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave it three stars out of five and said, "The movie finds funny ways of dramatising the process whereby one generation of women squares its frustrations with another – but it adds up to spirited, intelligent, authentically feminist entertainment."<ref>{{Cite news|last=McCahill|first=Mike|date=30 July 2020|title=Shakuntala Devi review – spirited biopic of a mathematical genius|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jul/30/shakuntala-devi-review-mathematical-maths-genius-biopic-anu-menon|access-date=1 August 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|10964468}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama movie|shakuntala-devi}}
* [https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0MAWPX1M7RJE5WZ9FE5LRJ7NZE ''Shakuntala Devi''] on Amazon Prime

[[Category:2020s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2020 films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical films]]
[[Category:Amazon Prime Video original films]]
[[Category:Sony Pictures films]]
[[Category:Columbia Pictures films]]
[[Category:Sony Pictures Networks India films]]
[[Category:Films about women in India]]
[[Category:2020s biographical films]]

Shakuntala Devi (film) - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article