Shakuntala Devi (शकुंतला देवी)

Ma.

It's usually the first word we speak.

A word that's impossible to define...

Because no other words can do it justice.

Mothers are considered greater than God.

They're synonymous with sacrifice.

But my mother isn't like that.

Today, I'm doing what perhaps no daughter has done before.

I'm filing a criminal case against my mother.

There she is.

Ms. Anupama Banerji...

Ms. Shakuntala Devi's daughter.

This is Mr Graham, the mediator.

- Hello. - Hello.

You okay?

So, Ms. Banerji, you have accused Ms. Shakuntala Devi

of illegally trying to destroy your financial standing.

She is your mother, and a world-famous mathematician.

Are world-famous mathematicians above the law?

This could lead to a jail sentence for her.

Are you absolutely certain you want to do this?

Yes.

Yes, I am.

My mother tore me away from every person I ever loved.

But not anymore.

Even if it means going to war...

Against the 'great' Shakuntala Devi.

16777216...

So the first set is 216...

Then 716.

2 x 2 = 4

4 x 2 = 8

256?

- What did you say? - Your cube root.

This?

This is an eight digit number.

And you're five years old!

Shakuntala!

How did you do it?

It just comes to me naturally!

Liar!

I'm not a liar!

Then explain how you did it!

I can't explain it. I can only show you.

Can you only do cube roots, or is there more up your sleeve?

Give me sweets and I'll tell you!

Forget sweets. I'll give you money.

You can buy anything with it.

Anything?

Yes!

Solve this.

Uncle! Aunty!

Look what Shakuntala did!

Oh Lord. What did she do now?

I was studying.

I was calculating the cube root of an 8 digit number...

And she gave the answer in a flash!

It must have been a fluke...

No, really! See for yourself.

Solve this.

I won't do it for free! Pay up.

Okay, take this.

And for the other one?

She's more mercenary than the British empire!

Here. Solve it now.

512, which is also the cube of 8.

Now can I go buy my sweets?

Uncle, she's no ordinary girl.

She's a genius!

Genie what?

Ge-ni-us.

A brilliant mind that's one in a million.

Shakuntala, you're late for school!

Shakuntala, you're late for school!

Shaku, you're late for school!

There she comes.

This tiny girl - she's your mathematical genius?

So who's going to give me math problems to solve?

Teachers can ask too.

Just a request.

Ask difficult questions...

Or she'll get bored.

So, Math genius...

I hope this question won't bore you?

What are you doing?

They come in my way.

- Is that okay? - Yes.

Come on.

Shakuntala!

Father, I want to go to school too.

We are going, right?

3 pm, Naivediyam Public School.

Father, not for Maths shows.

To study like other kids.

What can a school teach you?

You'll end up teaching them.

Come, let's go.

Shakuntala, you need to practice. Get inside.

I want to play with Sharda.

You're booked for ten shows next week.

Why must you make your father angry?

Unlike you, I'm not scared of him!

Is that how you talk about your father?

He isn't my father. I'm his father!

What are you saying?

What do fathers in other homes do?

They work, earn money and run the household.

So who's the father in this house then?

Shakuntala!

Yes, I'll get her.

Come along.

I won't.

Come on!

What goes around comes around.

Wait till your daughter gives you a hard time!

Shaku, you aren't afraid of anyone, right?

Mark my words. You'll be a big man someday.

Why would I be a man?

Because there's no such thing as a 'big woman'!

In that case, I'll definitely be a big woman.

And you'll always be by my side!

"God-Promise"?

God-Promise!

Sharda!

Sharda!

Sharda, wake up!

Why didn't you take Sharda to the hospital?

It would have cost a lot of money.

I do shows day and night. Where did all the money go?

If we try to save the dying, we'll have nothing left for the living.

Mother, I'm talking to you!

Have you lost your voice?

Why can't you speak up in front of Father?

Shakuntala!

I'll never forgive our mother, Sharda.

I promise you - one day, I'll be a very big woman.

And I won't be like our mother ever.

God-promise.

Miss Shakuntala!

Here's your money for today's performance. In advance.

Thanks.

You can leave now.

No, I'll stay.

No, carry on.

Take a rickshaw. And buy vegetables on the way.

Don't be too late.

Hello.

Myself Shakuntala.

Who is having first question for me?

Arun, ask her a question!

No, you guys go ahead.

You cleared your CA exam in three months, man! Shoot!

- No man... - Come on!

Myself Arun.

Hello Arun. So what's your question?

I've been offered a job at a British Company.

Congrats!

The joining date is in April.

I see.

But I can't decide whether I should accept the job or not.

Why?

Well, their salary structure is a bit strange.

On the first day, they'll pay me one paisa.

On the second day, two paisas.

On the third day, four paisas.

And on the fourth day, eight paisas.

Basically, the pay will be doubled every day.

What do you think...

Should I take up the job?

I don't know if you listened carefully...

But Arun said he's required to join in April...

And April has 30 days.

Wow, ma'am! You really are a genius.

You know that April has 30 days!

A round of applause for the lady!

Arun, since you're joining a British Company

should I give you the answer in Pounds or Rupees?

Rupees will do, I guess.

Okay.

So your salary would be...

I am correct?

Arun, is she right?

She is!

So Arun, which company is this?

Can ladies apply too?

They looked like they had seen a ghost.

Is it so weird to see a woman solve math problems?

Well, women here usually only solve household problems. Right?

That requires Maths too!

No one can win against you, my love!

Did you tell your mother about us?

My love, we're going to Alam's estate to hunt pheasants.

I'll talk to her as soon as we're back.

I've been hearing this for a year now.

"I'll tell her after my sister's engagement..."

"After my grandmother's death anniversary..."

"As soon as my father's back from Madras..."

It's getting late. Let me drop you home. Okay?

I'll be right back with the car keys...

My love.