The release of Vidya Balan’s ambitious new project – Shakuntala Devi has drawn mixed reactions from those who’ve watched it, on Twitter.
The actress’ yet another high-octane take on a real-life personality has garnered her praise for touching on the subject of a lesser-known but significant historic figure, but has also attracted criticism for some over-the-top elements, including the unnecessary singing and dancing.
Directed by Anu Menon, who previously helmed the Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah starrer – ‘Waiting’, the biopic – based on the life of the genius mathematician, who was also famously regarded as ‘human computer’, for her astonishing ability to do the most difficult of calculations within seconds, was released across multiple streaming platforms on 31st July.
As the first audience reactions and reviews are flowing-in, people do appreciate the idea that a lesser-known personality has been explored on celluloid, but half of them are also passing it as a missed-opportunity on dwelling more into the woman, beyond mere caricature.
Here are some of the first reactions from Twitter:
1)
Seriously wtf is this? #ShakuntalaDevi pic.twitter.com/nTamCSgOg3
— ಯಶಸ್ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು||Yashas (@ILogicianI) July 31, 2020
2)
#shakuntaladevi is cringefest. Movie is about a woman from Kannada speaking family. But the moviemakers showed it like it is plot happened in some village in UP,Bihar. Complete disregard for local culture and language.
— preetam hegde (@preetamhegde) July 31, 2020
3)
Quite enjoyed Anu Menon’s Shakuntala Devi, a film that dives deep into the burden of legacy and looks at its protagonist in all her complexities and contradictions. Barring some hiccups, it also makes for an engaging mother-daughter drama. Review https://t.co/O3XxoDQQ5A
— Ankur Pathak (@aktalkies) July 30, 2020
4)
#ShakuntalaDevi – Human Computer
Its A Good Movie
Well done @vidya_balan !!!!!#ShakuntalaDeviOnPrime pic.twitter.com/CmBe4eOmol
— NASHEELI KANIYA💅👊🍹🔪 (@Sushmitashara) July 31, 2020
5)
Shakuntala Devi was a genius, not a fraud as depicted by #Brothelwood voted 1 star in @IMDb #Brothelwood need to stop their fπ©k!n agenda of maligning great Indian minds. Whitewashing of Sanjay for his MBBS launch & now this BS 4 her daughter, watch: https://t.co/7F5dcj3ccF pic.twitter.com/LF7Dh9FMlT
— IndiaFirst (@IndiaFirst1857) August 1, 2020
6)
I was interested in knowing #ShakuntalaDevi, the human-computer, not the equations she shared with her Parents, Husband, and Daughter.
Nevertheless, it's a decent one time watch. Vidya Balan is brilliant. Good performances by Sanya Malhotra, Amit Sadh, and Jisshu Sengupta. pic.twitter.com/mJP3nXO3fT
— Bollywood Memers (@BollywoodMemers) August 1, 2020
7)
Watched #ShakuntalaDevi on @PrimeVideoIN. Always fascinated by human computer . This film dealt with the relationship between Shakuntala and her daughter. It needs a compelling writing and strong drama to make it work. And sadly, this film is uninteresting! (1/2) pic.twitter.com/6jk0OK39vj
— idlebrain jeevi (@idlebrainjeevi) July 30, 2020
8)
#ShakuntalaDevi: Yet again, an incredible show by the inimitable @vidya_balan 👌 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 ending👌
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) July 30, 2020
9)
Watched #ShakuntalaDevi, such an amazing story that deserved to be shown on the big-screen. @vidya_balan is indeed one of the best for a reason. Everyone should watch it. 💯 pic.twitter.com/y8bpeLFx8g
— SAMIR… (@MeSamir23) August 1, 2020
10)
#ShakuntalaDevi _Yet another spectacular Biopic by @vidya_balan. The apt professional to cast biopics and Heroine led films. Kept me using tissues towards end of the film.
Highly recommend to watch 4.5/5@ramprakashgomez— Jeyasanjivan (@jeyajeyasanjiva) August 1, 2020
Interesting to see how the movie has drawn such diverse opinions. But going by the majority of the Tweets, we’ve come across, the movie seems to have struck the right chords – despite a few over-dramatic elements.
Yet another addition to Vidya Balan’s coveted hat.