‘Srikanth’ movie review: inspiring biopic of visually impaired man’s journey to success
- The film is based on the life of entrepreneur Srikanth Bolla, who grew up in rural India and thrived against all odds
Srikanth Bolla is played by Rajkummar Rao in the film. Photo: YouTube/T-SeriesPeople often view disabilities as a limitation or bad luck. However, the hero of the film, Srikanth, directed by Tushar Hiranandani and based on a true story, proves that boundaries are meant to be broken.
Released in May, the movie is based on the life of a man named Srikanth Bolla, played by Rajkummar Rao, who was visually impaired from birth. His family was uneducated and relied on farming in a small village in India. As Bolla grew up, he cherished playing cricket and chess, but was often beaten up by classmates. Being visually impaired taught him that during such moments, he never had the option to run. Instead, he learned to fight.
As an intellectually gifted student, he aspired to pursue science. However, even with his strong grades, Bolla was not allowed to choose to study science because the education system forbade visually impaired students from selecting such a complex pathway. Nevertheless, he was determined to challenge the stereotype and won a case against the Indian Board of Education, proving that physical limitations shouldn’t stop you from excelling.
Although he was the first visually impaired science student in India, Bolla was still refused admission into India’s top engineering schools, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). With his teacher’s recommendation, Bolla then applied to international universities and received five offers.
“If IIT doesn’t need me, I don’t need IIT,” he confidently states in the film. He later graduates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with a degree in management science.
Upon returning to India, Bolla founded Bollant Industries, with his business partner, Ravi Mantha. The company creates sustainable packaging solutions from natural and recycled materials. Through this venture, he employed many others with disabilities who struggled to find jobs.
At one point, Bolla begins to take his disability for granted and selfishly uses it for business advantages. However, after suffering from this, an epiphany eventually brings him back on track.
At the film’s end, he was awarded the Business Excellence Award in the “differently abled” category. Yet, he denies the award, noting that in order to accept it, he wanted people to view him the same as everyone else rather than “special”.
The film also shows a moment when Bolla was recognised by the former president of India, APJ Abdul Kalam. In 2006, he met a group of students and asked them what they wanted to become. Bolla, who was 15 years old at the time, replied: “I want to become the first visually challenged president of India.” Kalam, in a speech, described how he was moved by Bolla’s confidence.
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Hiranandani’s depiction of the story also beautifully demonstrated the significance of having support. Bolla wouldn’t have been able to make these achievements without his teacher’s guidance, his business partner’s faith, his wife’s respect and Kalam’s inspiration.
Rajkummar Rao’s portrayal of Srikanth Bolla in the film is remarkable as he captures his spirit and emotions in a nuanced performance. Although the dramatic effect was slightly exaggerated, it clearly depicted Bolla’s story.
Throughout the biopic, Bolla emphasises his belief in the stark difference between a “sight” and a “vision”, often stating: “Disability is when you have sight, but do not have vision.”
Who would have thought that the infant whose parents were once advised to end his life would grow up to break unjust rules, graduate from MIT and inspire countless people to hold onto their visions? Bolla’s journey is a powerful reminder that true vision comes from the heart, and anything is possible if you have a purpose and ambition.