Vidya Balan’s new film, a biopic on India’s Human Computer releases on July 31. Here’s all you need to know about the real-life Shakuntala Devi.
“Shakuntala Devi” was one of the highly anticipated Bollywood biopics, and it stands out as one of the few films in the industry that focuses on the life of a female figure. Vidya Balan played the lead role in the movie, and it was directed by Anu Menon, who is known for her work on the first season of the web series “Four More Shots Please!” and the film “Waiting,” featuring Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah.
Anu Menon’s involvement in the project brought her storytelling expertise to the portrayal of Shakuntala Devi’s life. Notably, the filmmakers collaborated closely with Shakuntala Devi’s daughter, Anupama Banerji, ensuring that the film’s depiction of the renowned mathematician’s real-life story was accurate and authentic.
In summary, “Shakuntala Devi” was a highly anticipated Bollywood biopic that highlighted the achievements of a remarkable female figure, and the filmmakers’ collaboration with Anupama Banerji underscored their commitment to presenting an authentic portrayal of Shakuntala Devi’s life on the screen.
The trailer provides a glimpse of a vibrant woman skillfully balancing her career and home life, portraying the delicate equilibrium she navigates. Before you tune in to watch the film on Prime Video, let’s take a closer look at the true identity of India’s Human Computer.
Real story of Shakuntala Devi movie: Who was India’s Human Computer?
Shakuntala Devi was born in Bengaluru in 1929, and her extraordinary mathematical abilities became evident when she was just three years old. Her father, recognizing her remarkable understanding of numbers, made the bold decision to leave his job and take her on the roadshow circuit, where she dazzled audiences with her lightning-fast calculations. Within three years, at the age of six, Shakuntala Devi had already demonstrated her remarkable skills at the University of Mysore. By 1944, both her father and she had relocated to London to explore and nurture her prodigious talent even further.
As time passed and with the aid of top-notch training, Shakuntala Devi achieved numerous significant milestones. These achievements included the development of ‘Mind Dynamics,’ the authorship of several books, and the honor of being featured in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1982. She was a trailblazer in her era, notably authoring ‘The World of Homosexuals,’ one of the first books on homosexuality. Additionally, she wrote instructional guides on arithmetic and crafted puzzles for various newspapers.
One of her defining moments was at the Imperial College of London, where she astounded the world by multiplying two 13-digit numbers in a mere 28 seconds, securing her a coveted place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Shakuntala Devi’s exceptional mathematical prowess took her on a global journey, captivating audiences on stage, television, and even venturing into politics as she contested for a parliamentary seat. This multifaceted genius sadly passed away in 2013.
The film primarily delves into her expertise in mathematics, her marriage, and her relationship with her daughter.
