7 things you must know about Anand Kumar before you watch 'Super 30'

Akhil Nair / TNN / Updated: Jul 12, 2019, 11:42 IST

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The story of Mathematician Anand Kumar and his programme 'Super 30', sets out the narrative that even children from the unprivileged backgrounds can get into the IITs and other prestigious educational institutions.

7 things you must know about Anand Kumar before you watch 'Super 30'

In one of the most illiterate states of the country, the dream of getting into the elite educational institutions somehow still remains far distant for scores of students in rural Bihar. But the story of Mathematician Anand Kumar and his programme 'Super 30', sets out the narrative that even children from the unprivileged backgrounds can get into the IITs without shelling out a hefty amount on coaching classes, which has now turned into one of the most-profit making businesses in the country.

The much-awaited film 'Super 30', which releases today, has been in the news ever since the first look of the lead actor Hrithik Roshan surfaced. Known for his chiseled figure and aesthetic like that of a Greek god, Hrithik's complete de-glam look took back everyone by total surprise. While the trailer of the film became an instant hit, whether the film will strike the right chords remains to be seen.
Now that Bollywood is all set to adapt the story of Anand Kumar on celluloid with an A-lister star playing the mathematician in the reel life, people are looking forward to get a glimpse of his life. Before that here are a few details about his journey and his accomplishments that gained him widespread acclaim.

Born in Patna, Kumar's father was a clerk working for the postal department. He got his schooling done from a Hindi-medium school. Kumar soon developed a keen interest for mathematics and during graduation, he submitted his papers on number theory, which was published in major mathematical journals.

However, the lack of financial stability and due to the death of his father, Kumar had to give up the position he secured at the Cambridge University. While he worked on mathematics during day time, he used to assist his mother in selling papads in the evening to support the family. Since Patna University library did not had access to foreign journals, Kumar traveled to Varanasi on Fridays and study in the Central Library at the BHU and return to Patna on Monday mornings.

Initially Kumar started his own institute, the Ramanujan School of Mathematics in 1992 by renting a classroom for Rs. 500 a month. Within a span of one year, his class grew from just two students to almost 500 students. However, it was in 2002 when a poor student came to him seeking coaching for IIT-JEE but was unable to pay the fee due to poverty, the idea of 'Super 30' struck Anand Kumar.

Since then every year, his institute would hold a competitive test to select 30 students from the economically backward sections for the Super 30 program, in which he would tutor them, provide them with study materials and took care of their lodging for a year absolutely free.

Most of the 30 students managed to get into the IITs or other prestigious institutions. Anand was offered financial help from governmental and private agencies, both national and international, but the professor declined them as he wanted to sustain Super 30 through his own efforts.

Kumar garnered widespread recognition in 2009 when the Discovery Channel broadcast a one-hour-long programme on Super 30. Soon awards and appreciation followed Kumar. The New York Times devoted half a page for Kumar and his institution. The Time magazine also featured Super 30 in the list of Best of Asia 2010.

Kumar, however, has also had his fare share of controversies. It was alleged that students who enrolled through the Super 30 programme were pushed to take admission in another coaching centre on the pretext that Kumar would coach them. It was also alleged that Kumar claimed more numbers of his students cracking the IIT-JEE entrance exam, contrary to the real number.

A PIL was filled against Kumar in 2018 by four IIT students in the Gauhati High Court saying that he takes Rs 33,000 from IIT aspirants for coaching. The petition also alleged that Kumar claimed 26 out of 30 of his students cleared the IIT entrance but he did not release their names. Another PIL in Patna high court also accused him of claiming students from other institutes as his own. The petitioners have also demanded a ban on the movie’s release.

Despite of this, thousands of students every year line up to give the entrance test for Anand Kumar's 'Super 30'. In a recent interview with ETimes, the mathematician had revealed that he was in a state of shock when he saw the trailer of the film with his family. His young daughter started shouting papa while she looked on to the screen. However, this is not his first stint with films. Kumar also helped Amitabh Bachchan in preparing for his role in the film Aarakshan.

While the movie was also embroiled in controversies with the director of the film Vikas Bahl being accused of sexual misconduct, the release date of the film was shifted in order to avoid a tentative or a deliberate clash at the box office. It is to be seen how the audience reacts to the story of Anand Kumar.

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