The film, The Man Who Knew Infinity, written and directed by Matthew Brown, is based on a book by Robert Kanigel. The story revolves around ace mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan’s life and the struggles he had to face to prove his merit. While Dev Patel plays Srinivasa Ramanujan, Devika Bhise dons the role of the mathematician’s wife Janaki in the film, which will hit screens on April 29. In an e-mail interview to City Express, Devika talks about the experience of working on the film. Excerpts:
It must be thrilling to be a part of such an interesting project, especially one that is based on a genius. How and when did you make up your mind to be a part of it?
Two years ago, the producers of the film contacted me. They had heard about a play called The Partition I had done in 2010 when I was in college. The play was based on the life of Ramanujan, but takes many liberties with creating characters that represented the ghosts of dead mathematicians and a goddess, whom I played. As an Indian, I had a general understanding of who Ramanujan was, but it wasn’t until I acted in the play that I had a full understanding of his life and work. I also appreciated the role of his strong and supportive wife, Janaki, who was not included in the play. So when I was offered the role in The Man Who Knew Infinity, I accepted it immediately.
In real life, how good a mathematician is Devika Bhise?
I actually used to love math. I was on the math team in middle school and took advanced calculus in high school. But once I got to college I was definitely more focused on the arts, and haven’t taken a math class since!
What was the biggest challenge as far as this film was concerned?
Transforming into Janaki was challenging; it pushed me to work incredibly hard. Filming on location in Kumbakonam, Chennai, and Puducherry, wearing the madisaar every day and delving back into my Bharatanatyam training helped me become the a typical Tamil Iyengar girl from the early 20th Century rather than a 21st Century New Yorker! While shooting, we had incredibly long hours, and the heat was brutal, but it was worth it!
If there is one thing you would like to change with regard to this film, what would it be?
It’s always dangerous to play that game. I think with the limitations of the time we had to shoot, storyline, and a number of factors that go into making a movie, Matt did an excellent job with the final result!
Tell us about the experience of working with (English actor) Jeremy Irons?
He’s a legend. I had spent some time with him during the festival run we have had and I look up to him so much. He has been incredibly kind and generous with me and I always feel like I’m learning something new when I am around him.
What are the other projects you’re working on?
My next project is Shambhala — a survival drama about a man who is injured in a plane crash in Pakistan and suffers memory loss.
A series of flashbacks reveals his story in which I play a precocious college student having a critical role in the film.