In an industry where style and charm is given utmost importance, Vidya Balan has left an enduring impression with her implausible ability and by being real to every single character she plays. She was part of the famous show “Hum Panch” where her character was more of a schlump, but today with her iconic performances she has broken barricades of conservative glamour by showcasing her talent and versatility in the kind of roles she selects. Vidya Balan is more about being an actor, reciting stories, playing the girl next door roles than a fashionable B-Town star.
And Vidya Balan’s recent performance in the Amazon Prime movie based on the world-renowned genius mathematician Shakuntala Devi has proved her metal again as a performer living another person’s life with so much ease and comfort. She has depicted the role with extreme confidence, belief, charm and liveliness. The movie is directed by Anu Menon and is a complete family entertainer.
The film reveals the personal life, upbringing and times of the mastermind Shakuntala Devi begin with this disclaimer: ‘this film is not a biopic or an autobiographical movie of any character portrayed in the movie, but it is influenced by the real events”. The daughter of the math’s prodigy, Anupama Banerji helped in framing the storyline of the film. The movie is a comprehensive drama, unconcealed feminism, which outlines the life of the mathematician wizard.
Shakuntala Devi belonged to a very poor family, but her talent for math’s was recognized at an early age.
She took care of her family’s responsibility by doing shows for a live audience. But when her sister died due to poverty and deteriorating financial resources, this made her hungry for success and money. Vidya Balan brings a flavorful liveliness to the character Shakuntala Devi and the film remains entertaining throughout. The entire focus is about the vivacity of the lead character, her love affair with the numbers and her daughter. In that era also, Shakuntala Devi lived her life on her own terms, she was independent, focused, witty and a free bird, that made the viewers glued to the screen.
There’s an absolute delight in seeing her annihilate ostensibly difficult math calculations effortlessly.
Her style, intelligence, confidence and unique swag, will make you fall in love with the character. The best scene was the one in which Shakuntala Devi tries to behave normal in front of her daughter’s in laws turned out to be very profound and hilarious. Deep in the sense that the woman, didn’t know what actually the word normal means as she has always lived as if there is no tomorrow.
Shakuntala Devi is not flawless. She has her own flaws, weaknesses like the rest of the women in the world. Vidya Balan’s one liner in the movie, which jolted me to the core was,” Aadmi kyun, main tau duniya kee sabse badhi aurat banungi” (Why man, I will become the world’s greatest woman). It was also such a pleasure to watch this movie, as this boldness is never reflected on the screen.
The supporting cast Jisshu Sengupta, Amit Sadh has also done a decent job, as a modern couple they look very true to their role. Vidya Balan’s colorful saris, hairstyle and the peppy music also supported in uplifting the film and made it into a complete entertainer. The positive fervor of the film, will never bore you and it is truly a cheerful and an overjoyed movie without a single vulgar scene or an abusive language, which you can watch with your family. No doubt, Shakuntala Devi is an out and out Vidya Balan movie.
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