As the anticipation climbs with the imminent release of the biopic ‘Srikanth’ in cinemas, fans are eager to witness the portrayal of an extraordinary life by the acclaimed actor Rajkummar Rao. Known for delving into diverse characters, Rao is set to embody Srikanth Bolla, an industrialist whose vision defied his blindness, striking a chord with many awaiting the film’s debut. Alongside Rao, the cast features Jyotika in a pivotal role and Sharad Kelkar in a memorable cameo.
The film ‘Srikanth’ narrates the real-life triumphs of a man who, against the overwhelming odds, became the first international blind student to study Management Science at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. But Srikanth Bolla’s journey began humbly, in a village near Hyderabad, where his blindness marked him as a bad omen by local villagers. Srikanth’s family faced societal pressure to abandon him, but they chose instead to support and nurture their son.
Srikanth’s formative years were fraught with challenges. Initially enrolled in a regular school, he encountered bullies that compelled his parents to transfer him to a special school in Hyderabad. It was there he met his mentor, played by Jyotika in the film. Through determination and an appetite for learning, Srikanth excelled in cricket and chess, led his class, and contributed to national projects, one under the esteemed Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India.
High school presented new obstacles as Srikanth was instructed to pursue arts due to his blindness – advice he refused to accept. In a remarkable display of resilience, he sued the system and emerged victorious, continuing his education in science and achieving an impressive 98%. But his battle for education didn’t stop there. Despite his stellar academic record, institutions like the IITs denied him admission due to his disability. Unwavering and determined, Srikanth applied to leading international universities, ultimately earning his engineering degree from MIT.
Upon returning to India post-graduation, Srikanth embarked on an entrepreneurial path, founding Bollant Industries. With support from businessman Ravi Mantha, played by Sharad Kelkar, and financial backing from esteemed industrialist Ratan Tata, Srikanth’s venture focused on empowering the illiterate and differently-abled. The company produces environmentally friendly products such as recycled Kraft paper, packaging materials, disposable products, and upcycled plastic goods.
Srikanth’s narrative is not solely one of professional success; it is a heartfelt story of personal triumph and discovery. It tells of his encounter with Swathi, his life partner, depicted by Alaya F, with whom he now shares the joy of parenthood to a daughter. Their story exemplifies resilience, love, and hope, against a backdrop of societal adversity.
The poignant biopic ‘Srikanth’ is brought to the audience by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series. It is a cinematic collaboration between T-Series Films and Chalk N Cheese Films Production LLP, with production credits to Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Nidhi Parmar Hiranandani. The film serves as not just a reminder of Srikanth Bolla’s indomitable spirit but also projects the message that determination and talent can transcend any barrier, be it physical or societal.
As ‘Srikanth’ prepares to grace the silver screen, the film promises to be both a critical and motivational beacon, retelling the journey of a man who envisioned possibilities where others saw limitations. Rajkummar Rao’s dedication to bringing this narrative to life is palpable, and the film is poised to ignite conversations and inspire audiences with the powerful and uplifting real-life story of Srikanth Bolla.
