Today was the day, yes – May 8, 2020, that Vidya Balan had excitedly announced with some mischief and a twist of humour on December 12 last year, as the release date of her biographical Shakuntala Devi. It would have been the actress’ next big screen release after Mission Mangal in August 2019.
But Covid-19 and the series of lockdowns has put paid to that theatrical release. And on the same significant date, PeepingMoon.com has exclusively learned that Vikram Malhotra’s Abundantia Entertainment and Sony Pictures Networks India have decided not to wait any longer and to instead give Shakuntala Devi an OTT release through net streaming giant Amazon Prime Video.
This is a confirmed acquisition and an announcement is imminently expected. It is to be seen whether Amazon Prime Video makes it or the honours are left to leading lady Vidya again. On December 12, because she is playing the math wizard and human computer Shakuntala Devi, Vidya had teased fans with a numerical problem on Instagram to announce the release date.
She had said in the post, “Hi everyone! I have some exciting news to share. The release date for Shakuntala Devi has been decided and it will release in exactly 148 days from now.” Those not quick on the uptake were goaded further by the actress, “Kya hua? Calculation nahi kar paa rahe? Kya laga, Shakuntala Devi hoon, aise hi bata dungi? Chalo, one more try.”
Then Vidya posted again, confusing fans further: “A date which is a number 8, when added with the month and year number, again adds up to 8.” While people were still struggling with the math, the actress relented and revealed the release date in emojis – Shakuntala Devi will release on May 8, 2020,”
The confirmed acquisition by Amazon Prime Video of Shakuntala Devi confirms PeepingMoon.com’s story of April 28 in which a trade source said, “At this point of time only two Bollywood films are certain to have a big screen release, Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi and Ranveer Singh’s 83. Every other film is in serious consideration or talks already for web releases.”
Written and directed by Anu Menon, Shakuntala Devi also stars Jisshu Sengupta, Sanya Malhotra and Amit Sadh in key roles. Vidya, who was extremely excited to bring the journey of the math genius to celluloid, wrapped up the biographical in two months’ time on November 18. The actress had said what truly fascinated her was that while one would not normally associate a fun person with math, Shakuntala Devi turned that perception on its head. Now to wait for the announcement of when it will premiere on Amazon Prime Video.
