vidya balan shakuntala devi biopic anu menon
Image Source - Instagram and Twitter

Vidya Balan was last seen in ‘Tumhari Sulu’ that released in 2017. Post that, the actress started shooting for ‘Mission Mangal’ and now, it has been confirmed that Vidya will be playing the role of the extra-ordinary Math genius Shakuntala Devi in her biopic. Sharing the news on her social media handle, an elated Vidya wrote, “I am thrilled to bring to life the true story of ‘the human-computer’ – a small-town Indian girl, who took the world by storm!”

[Advertisement]

Shakuntala Devi, the mathematical wizard, or ‘human computer’ a moniker she earned, was known for her ability to make incredibly swift calculations. Shakuntala’s genius was first discovered at the age of 5, when she solved a math problem for 18-year-old students. Though she never received any formal education, her talent for numbers also earned her a place in the 1982 edition of The Guinness Book of World Records.

Here’s the post shared by Vidya

Sharing more about her excitement about being a part of this project, Vidya said, “I am extremely excited to play the human computer, Shakuntala Devi, on the big screen. She was truly someone who embraced her individuality, had a strong feminist voice and braved many a naysayer to reach the pinnacle of success. But what truly fascinates me is that you wouldn’t normally associate a fun person with Math…and she completely turns that perception on its head. I am thrilled that Vikram, who I’ve worked with on ‘Kahaani’, and his team are producing the film. Vikram (Malhotra), Anu (Menon) and I are proud to bring to life the story of one of the most inspiring women of this country. How incredible that ‘The Math Genius’, ‘The Human Computer’, was a small-town Indian girl, who took the world by storm.”

Produced by Vikram Malhotra, under the banner of Abundantia, this film will be helmed by Anu Menon. She has previously directed  ‘London, Paris, New York’ and the much-talked-about Amazon Prime Original series, ‘Four More Shots Please’!

The film is slated to go on floors this year and scheduled to hit the silver screens in summer next year.

Also Read: Vidya Balan on being body shamed: I hated that I was always in a battle with my body