Shakuntala Devi (2020) User Reviews

Pure Vidya Balan's show!

[Iamhcb · 5/10 · 31 July 2020]

After a back to back disappointed Direct Digital Release from Prime Video looks like we kinda have the better one. Still, not the best!

Shakuntala Devi works only when you consider this as a pure Bollywood entertainer instead of looking it as a movie based on a real life person. The movie gets most of the things wrong, that's why the makers haven't claimed this to be a Biopic. Still, I felt they went too much with the "creative liberty"

Vidya Balan as Shakuntala Devi shines in a few moments but also wasn't that convincing, I'm not saying the performance was atrocious. Felt it was more of a "mothers & Daughters" conflict tale than the portrayal of a Mathematical genius.

Sachin-Jigar's music was okayish. Keiko's Cinematography and the color grading of the film was aesthetical and it went quite well with the layered narrative. The 127mins seems really long, especially after the first half of the movie. That's when the monotonous feel hits.

To sum up Shakuntala Devi is yet an another Bollywood Melodramatic Movie with the label of "Inspired by the true events." And definitely not a Re-Watchable worthy!

Missing the link

[khayaldave · 5/10 · 31 July 2020]

Shakuntala Devi.Anu Menon.2020

Based on the life journey of profoundly known Human computer aka Shakuntala Devi, the film tries to fit in her 84 glorious years in 120 minutes screen time. The film stabs to touch major life milestones of her life from her genius mathematics career to conflict with her own daughter and to her dilemma in life to her flawed rapport with her husband.

But the film fails to bring out her psyche, mental vows and keeps spinning around her analogous achievements throughout. Many of her vital scenes are mere caricaturish portrayal to make it look breezy and to reflect her sense of humor with no depth in it. No doubt Balan tries hard with her accents, body language, hiatuses but still the film lacks in the clarity of thought.

Confused movie

[pranjalsingh-98212 · 5/10 · 8 August 2020]

Extremely confused movie. Is it about Shakuntala Devi? Her daughter? Her conflicted personal life? Feminism? God knows what. Other than Vidya Balan who is a fantastic actress anyway..... it's a low IQ movie about a high IQ person.

Was it a revenge Anu?

[mvarun28 · 3 August 2020]

How can a child spoil her moms image that too a legends.. felt very bad seeing it cos it did not portray great Shakuntala devi.. go and see her video she never spoke or laugh the way it is shown in movie.. not only her daughter but makers and actors too have done it very wrong.. Great personality pulled down to such a low level.. may b bcos her daughter wasn't inherited and makers just wanted money.. and thats y the climax was changed from real life.. if people had that much guts should have gone with real story only... anyways it was cheap.. all time cheap

It is not right to mix personal life and professional life together(6*by debojyoti )

[debojyotichakraborty-24116 · 6/10 · 31 July 2020]

To make matters worse, it is not yet a proper biopic in India.When the spice is poured into the biopic, it goes to a place where it is no longer biopic.A person's personal life grows from a good working life.

The mother-daughter relationship has been given much more importance.Shakuntala Devi's huge achievement is covered even if it is a little bit.The last scene seems more dramatic than the big one.Did you need 3 songs in the film?

Makeup and costume are truly admirable.Vidya Balan is just as impeccable as before.But the place of Jishu and Amit has not been given much less?

Shakuntala Devi was flawed but filled with brilliance of Vidya Balan.

[pranayjalvi · 7/10 · 31 July 2020]

Vidya Balan, playing the great Human Computer was brilliant considering the movie had many flaws. The first half, or rather the first 45 minutes was all about the equations and her private life which felt a bit of overdone work with quirky lines and a comic atmosphere, rather than being a bit serious.

The second half though, filled the void left by the first half. A relation between a Mother and her daughter, in the midst of achieving and following her ambitions was displayed beautifully. The film, which stays determinedly cheerful even in the grey hues of London, although slides into flatness a couple of times.

The cast was fine and once again Vidya Balan was great in her performance and was a definite show stealer here.

My Rating : 3.5/5

A Highly Loud and Dramatic take on the life of an Extraordinary Woman.

[ritesh657 · 7/10 · 31 July 2020]

SHAKUNTALA DEVI (2020) REVIEW . . 📜 Plot: The extraordinary life of Shakuntala Devi elaborating her dominance in mathematics and life as a mother, narrated through the eyes of her daughter Anu. . . 👨‍⚖️ Review : Shakuntala Devi seems like an overcooked , highly dramatic and loud representation of a genius mind who has led an extraordinary life. This movie highlights her spirits of being ambitious and conquering her own dreams with the help of numbers. For Bollywood its not new that a simple straightforward biopic has turned into a colourful , dramatic and a movie filled with fictional events to make it worthy watch for Indian Audience.

The Movie seems to start quite decently but tends to fizzle out. Considering the performances , Vidya Balan is extremely brilliant who sinks into the character just like her own skin. I can imagine no one in bollywood who could have pulled off such a character with wits and charm like Vidya has done. Sanya Malhotra is fantastic as the daughter and has done great justice to her role. Amit Sadh and Jishu Sengupta have limited screenspace but have not disappointed.

Overall , The Movie Is Nice for a family weekend watch but in terms of storyline and Shakuntala Devi's life this movie could have been made more inspirational as a tribute to a world famous genius than it already is. . . 👍Goods : Vidya Balans shines through the movie and drives the storyline convincingly. She makes this one watchable. . . 👎 Bads : Overcooked with More Bollywood Drama . . . 🔥 Final Rating : 6.5/10 . . ✅ Verdict : Shakuntala Devi could have done wonders with more inspirational elements but is definitely a watchable drama to experience the glorified life of one legendary mathematician from Indian Soil. . .

• Follow in Instagram for More : @RiteshReviews

#shakuntaladevi #amazonprime

This is not a biopic

[aparup908 · 4/10 · 31 July 2020]

Bollywood doesn't know how to make a biopic; or maybe they don't care as long as they're making money. Direction: The plotline is incoherent, seems like it is taken straight from Wikipedia. The movie just shows events happening without reasons, no story following up to the events. We rarely understand the mathematical genius that is Shakuntala Devi, because there's very little story to it. Much of it is just unnecessary melodrama centring around a mother-daughter relationship. This movie is an insult to one of the greatest India has ever produced. ACTING: Vidya Balan is at her worst, partly because of a lack of plot and tries hard to compensate for it. She's over enthusiastic invariably, grins all the time - something very different from the actual Shakuntala Devi. She's not jovial, she's creepy.

Also, why does a biopic need so many songs? What a waste of effort and purpose.

P.S. They added components of feminism to garner postive reviews.

"Has a different perspective"

[anushreet · 9/10 · 31 July 2020]

Story- released on 30 july, this particular is a biographical drama based on the story of a 5 yr old genius, Shakuntala Devi , who was also known as the 'human calculator'.

Reviews - The story revolves around a 5 yr. Old girl Shakuntala Devi, which was played by Vidya Balan, who was known for her extraordinary skills in mathematics. She is an independent and free spirit who earns by showcasing her maths skills and is the only earning member of the family. Devastated by her sister's death and financial crises she decides to fly to London and 'level up' her skills. The second half of the movie revolves around her married life and her only daughter. She's a stubborn lady and decides to keep her daughter away from her father so that she could experience her daughter's childhood infront of her. Snatching her daughter's childhood, Shakuntala Devi became evil in her own daughter's perspective. Like most stories this one ends on a positive and happy note as well. With extraordinary acting skills showed by both the leads, this movie keeps it's audience occupied. Lacks abit clarity in thought but overall is a good source of knowledge about a particular person and her life events.

Mothers and Daughters

[mani-mishra1304 · 7/10 · 31 July 2020]

Last 15 min increased rating atleast by 1 point. Vidya Balan did a superb role again or should say "Vidya Kasam", Sanya Malhotra also did a great part and she's looking more beautiful day by day. Amit Sadh played again a good role.

Worst Movie

[suhas-01592 · 1/10 · 31 July 2020]

Whats wrong with bollywood??? Without any masala they cant make a biopic? Misson Mangal was ruined with same drama... Why everything have to be so dramatic? Learn from "The Man Who Knew Infinity" Not watching this movie will be a real tribute to Shakuntala Devi.

INGENIOUS

[SinhaSomesh · 8/10 · 31 July 2020]

#FinalVerdict

Shakuntala Devi proves the adage 'There is no great genius without a mixture of madness' right. A terrific film that stays in your heart, remains etched in your memory and restores your faith in Hindi cinema. Bravo!

Brownie points to Anu Menon-Nayanika Mahtani's dynamic script, Ishita Moitra's razor-sharp dialogue and Antara Lahiri's crisp editing. It is a women's show all the way. Moreover, you cannot draw parallels with any other film. Vidya Kasam!

Shakuntala Devi blends drama, emotions, humour extraordinarily... the icing on the cake being Vidya Balan and Sanya Malhotra's towering acts. The writing holds the spectators' interest and doesn't let you digress from the screen, except for a few minutes.

If Vidya Balan is the driving force on screen, it's director Anu Menon who stands out with a near-perfect film. The concept of Shakuntala Devi is oven-fresh and the handling of a number of sensitive and dramatic moments is noteworthy. Director Menon smartly integrates the songs in the narrative, although, the film would've excelled even without songs. The songs (Sachin-Jigar) are situational. Cinematography (Keiko Nakahara) captures the vibrant colours adroitly. Director Anu Menon balances the rough and smooth incidents in Shakuntala Devi and her daughter's lives beautifully. The culmination to the film is novel. Karan Kulkarni's background score is perfect. You'd have a new phrase to chew on this time: 'Vidya Kasam'.

Shakuntala Devi is unimaginable without Vidya Balan. She can handle the comic sequences with as much flourish as the emotional ones. She is absolutely ravishing. Sanya Malhotra's appearance, mannerisms and dialogue delivery are exemplary. Amit Sadh is excellent yet again. Jisshu Sengupta registers a strong impact. Luca Calvani, Adi Chugh, Sheeba Chadha, Nyla Masood, Prakash Belawadi, Neil Bhoopalam and Purnendu Bhattacharya lend able support. Seher Aly Latif's casting is a lesson indeed and how!

On the whole, Shakuntala Devi is a must-watch for every parent, every child. A remarkable motion picture with an overwhelming message!

Disliked such script even if everything fell in place at end.

[MuviFan73 · 7/10 · 31 July 2020]

Tone, Script & Story: A so called story (not biopic) bringing to attention life of genius Indian mathematician Shakuntala devi scripted around her personal (family) life.

The thing is getting her name in to Guinness book for being a peculiar mathematician seemed to be the peak instance in her life for a fellow fan like me. The scripting however ruined that for me. Apart from that it's a good watch. I liked how so many of her numbers were particularly favorite, some of them being highlighted in movie.

Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography: Justified. Music: Average. Acting: Justified.

Final Verdict: Watch it for numerical fun and distant personality of Shakuntala putting light on same aspect.

Tribute to the legend is not watching the movie

[manojtiptur · 2/10 · 31 July 2020]

Typical Bollywood masala movie. Overdramatic and bizzare script. Just like Bollywood ruined mission mangal they have successfully ruined the movie. At least the makers would have watched the man who knew infinity. Poor script and direction. Acting of Vidya Balan and all others except Santa Malhotra is top class.

Disappointing and boring !

[sushmapc · 1 August 2020]

Boring and not done justice to the biopic !i dint even feel like completing the movie .

A Fabulous Vidya Balan / 6 Stars

[nairtejas · 6/10 · 31 July 2020]

With a peppy start that reminded me of Shaw's Pygmalion, this biopic on Shakuntala Devi is notable for its tour de force of a performance by an elegant and energetic Vidya Balan and the general description of her life and times.

It conveniently glosses over some of the more controversial years of the her life while attributing her bumptious and ambitious nature as a negative influence over her parenting skills. It suggests parenting is a complex concept, and thereby poses questions that have no right or wrong answers. Some of the more memorable dialogues are about parenting and mathematics, which may seem odd to millennials, but they are still delightful to hear. For building substance, there are several arithmetic-solving sequences too.

Anu Menon's well-made execution is good in the beginning, but then it frequently reminds you that it's a feminist film, and the proceedings reek of misandry. It's fun to watch but only till the midpoint which is followed by gooey melodrama (Malhotra hugely disappoints, constantly screams) that is ghastly even by Bollywood standards and just simply attempts to exonerate the central character of glaring issues that it so majestically described a few frames ago. Unfortunately, the film ends with the modern biopic's biggest anathema: hagiography. But it's baffling that Jisshu Sengupta has such an uncanny resemblance with Devi's partner. TN.

A superb biopic on a mathematics genius

[SumanShakya · 7/10 · 12 March 2021]

It's appreciable that Hindi film-makers have recently changed the track from the cliche ridden "Masala" flicks to few genuine stories like "Shakuntala Devi." It chronicles the story of a mathematics genius Shakuntala Devi, who has garnered popularity all over the world as a human computer. Aside the turmoils of her family life, the film very well depicts her relationship with her daughter, which offers a redemption by the end.

Well, the narrative feels a bit sprawling which needs repeated watching if you have a shorter attention span. Vidya Balan, once again gives a notable central performance following "Kahaani" and "Tumhari Sulu." Overall, "Shakuntala Devi" is "A Beautiful Mind" equivalent to Hindi movies and should leave a legacy for the years to come.

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 4

An excellent feelgood comedy, but bad biopic

[a-friend-582-234812 · 7/10 · 11 May 2023]

The main character of this movie is very interesting, funny, and lovable, for all her displays of audaciousness, bravery, and spontaneity.

As someone who knows nothing of the real Shakuntala Devi, I found the movie to be a great and fun experience. With an interesting exploration of pioneering feminism and its effect on the mother-child relationship.

However, as a biopic, the movie doesn't come off as very believable. It's simply too perfect at times, skipping over many of the difficulties of life.

I'd say the movie gets an 8/10 score as feel-good comedy, so if you don't care about its failed pretense at being a biopic, I recommend watching it for the characters and the comedy if nothing else. I laughed out loud more than once. But if you want a good biopic, you should probably not watch this one.

90% Bollywood drama 10% biopic

[itachisusano · 2/10 · 31 July 2020]

This is not what you call a biopic. Bollywood doesn't know how to make a biopic rather they show same old drama, over acting, their own fictitious story. They did same Mission Mangal. Watch it only see mother daughter relationship

Really nice movie about the REAL life of the math genius

[deepakbhatia · 10/10 · 1 August 2020]

Explores the mother daughter relationship in a smart strong way ... The maths genius and her troubled personal relationships throughout her life. Go watch it for Vidya Balan. She shines like a star just like Anu Menon's direction...

I thought this was a biopic

[s-16730 · 6/10 · 4 August 2020]

This is not a biopic, it's mostly a drama. They starting going on a path another biopic goes but diverted big time in the second half. Both main lead actresses did good in their roles, and the direction though good, it could've gone better if the script was on the great Shakuntala Devi's life with a snap of drama, instead of vice versa.

Dirty Picture 2.0

[Unfilmy · 2/10 · 2 August 2020]

Bad mothers. Worse daughters. Occasional south Indian accents. Unnecessary songs. It's not a movie about mathematics. It's a movie about dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship. Vidya Balan acts like a demented person, always giggling and snorting under uncomfortable or embarrassing circumstances. Sanya Malhotra keeps complaining about everything and is quite annoying. She is mad at her mother for being a psychotic obsessive person. Amit Sadh is exceptional once again. Everyone else is forgettable.

P.S. Mathematics is a lot more than multiplications.

Vidya shines in this not so perfect film!!!!

[ayandutta-88777 · 8/10 · 31 July 2020]

Vidya is terrific as usual. She brings life to the character of Shakuntala Devi. Sanya malhotra is equally brilliant. The film's editing could have been better. One may find fault in the film, but not in Vidya.

Suggestion:- Don't judge Shakuntala Devi after watching this film. This is how she was... Fearless, free spirited and totally unapologetic..

Soak Yourself In The Fascinating Life And Times Of Shakuntala Devi !!!

[cs_rahul_prasad · 7/10 · 2 September 2021]

'Shankuntala Devi' not only explores the mathematician's fascinating relationship with numbers but her relationships beyond it as well - especially her life as a mother and a woman. If Shankuntala Devi's intriguing journey which started off as a three-year-old solving difficult math problems and doing her own shows across schools was not remarkable enough - her fearless and independent spirit as a young woman in the 1950's, who lived by her own rules adds to her dazzling persona. One which she fiercely protects through every stage of her life.'Why should I be normal, when I can be amazing?' Shakuntala Devi (Vidya Balan) asks her daughter Anupama (Sanya Malhotra), when during a skirmish the later questions why she can't be a 'normal' mother.

As the film takes us through Shakuntala Devi's life, it becomes obvious that while her equation with numbers was seamless, her personal equations often ended up being miscalculated. While highlighting her glorious on stage moments during her Mathematics Shows, it also delves into her string of troubled relationships - with her parents, the over riding anger towards her mother for not standing up to her father when it mattered, the men in her life and finally her strained relationship with her daughter.

The first hour of the film keeps one engaged with a fun, entertaining narrative - where in 1950s London, we see an eager and endearing Shakuntala Devi giving it her all and trying to pull off her shows despite all the odds. Her makeover and brushing up of English language skills spearheaded by her Spanish friend Javier (Luca Calvani), sees her undergo a transformation which brings out her vivacious nature. She is soon the toast of parties and a woman who lives her life with abandon. And when love comes in form of Paritosh Banerji (Jisshu Sengupta), she jumps right into the moment, by proposing marriage to him and having a baby soon after. It is when she is finally torn between motherhood and being the woman who she inherently is - a maths whiz, doing shows world over, that she is compelled to make some difficult choices.

Director Anu Menon brings to us the life of a woman whose story is so enthralling that it is hard to look away. However, at times the narrative does seem to be rushed, as though ticking off milestones in Shankuntala Devi's life, one after the other in quick succession (and to be honest there are so many). Also the tonal shift from breezy to a dramatic and emotional one is a bit uneven at times (writers - Anu Menon, Nayanika Mahtani). The film has been well-shot (Keiko Nakahara) keeping the different periods in mind and Balan's looks (Costumes - Niharika Bhasin) through the ages blend in well. While the soundtrack (Sachin-Jigar) is peppered with peppy numbers, the one to linger on is the soulful 'Jhilmil Piya' (singers - Benny Dayal, Monali Thakur, lyrics - Priya Saraiya).

Vidya Balan gets under the skin of her character and simply aces it in the titular role - she gives an unrestrained performance as Shakuntala Devi from the 1950s to 2000s which is captivating to watch, as every stage of her life unfolds. Jisshu Sengupta as the suave and sensitive Paritosh is a delight to watch and Amit Sadh as Anupama's supportive husband, Ajay makes an impact even with his limited screen time. Sanya Malhotra as the slightly older Anupama brings in poise to her character, although her teenage act doesn't quite pass off that easily.

But ultimately 'Shakuntala Devi' is 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! Vidya Kasam, don't give this one a miss.

An absolute horror show

[jaytiwarial · 1/10 · 31 July 2020]

What a horrible biopic of such a great personality it turned out to be, vidya BALAN just didn't fit in and the masala treatment given to the movie is too much to bear, indian audience is all grown up, we can watch a movie without dances and cliché drama scenes..