National Mathematics Day is here! Designated by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, it is celebrated every year on the December 22, marking the birth anniversary of renowned Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. Emphasizing problem solving, critical thinking and analysis, this day honours the myriad ways in which the subject of ‘mathematics’ enhances our lives.
What better way to commemorate this day than to indulge in a few movies, curled up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate. So here are 5 movies you can watch to remind you of the joy and wonder of solving maths problems!
1. ‘A Beautiful Mind’ (2001)
A 2001 American biographical drama based on the life of the renowned mathematician John Nash, the film explores the trials and triumphs of the Nobel Laureate, as he struggles with his genius and paranoid schizophrenia. Known most for putting forward the concept behind ‘Nash Equilibrium,’ his contributions to ‘Game Theory’ (a sub-field in economics), have truly revolutionized the study of markets and market competition.
Directed by Ron Howard, the movie stars Russell Crowe in the lead role.
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2. ‘The Imitation Game’ (2014)
The film is based on the 1983 biography by Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges. Revolving around the life of the British cryptoanalyst who decoded messages exchanged within German intelligence during the Second World War, the film was praised by critics and LGBTQ activists for its nuanced portrayal of Turing’s homosexuality. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role.
3. ‘The Man who knew Infinity’ (2015)
This movie is a must-watch on National Mathematics Day.
Based on the life of renowned Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, the film follows his journey as a student in Cambridge University, UK. Dev Patel essays the lead role, while Jeremy Irons plays his professor G.H. Hardy. It is based on the 1991 book of the same name by Robert Kanigal.
The film had its world premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.
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4. ‘Hidden Figures’ (2016)
The film tells the story of three African American women who worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race. It stars Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who calculated flight trajectories, Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughn, a NASA supervisor and mathematician, and Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson, an engineer. Actors Jim Parsons and Mahershala Ali, among others, feature in supporting roles.
Critically acclaimed, the film went on to win several Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.
5. ‘Shakuntala Devi’ (2020)
Featuring Bollywood superstar Vidya Balan, the film captures the life of Indian mathematician Shakuntala Devi. Also known as the ‘human computer’, she was famed for her ability to solve mathematical equations within seconds. Jisshu Sengupta, Sanya Malhotra and Amit Sadh star in supporting roles.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film had a special premiere on Amazon Prime Video.
These are just a few of the movies that explore the subject of mathematics that one can view. So go ahead! Take out your calculators and dive in! The world of mathematics awaits.
