Rajkummar Rao Shines in 'Srikanth': Rajkummar Rao's Remarkable Ability to Fully Embody His Role, Setting Aside All Vanity

Srikanth is the inspiring tale of Srikanth Bolla, a visually-impaired entrepreneur who rose from poverty in an Andhra village to become a billionaire. It follows his remarkable journey to become one of India’s top industrialists.

Although it includes the typical disclaimer of taking some creative liberties, the movie stays true to real-life events as much as possible. It portrays the emotional journey of Srikanth’s father, from initial joy to concern upon holding his blind newborn, his mother’s desperate plea for his survival, the challenges he faces in local school bullying, his exceptional intellect shining through, his rejection from IIT followed by acceptance into MIT, his return to India, and his pursuit of an unconventional path leading to remarkable success – a journey into a bright future that many, especially those with disabilities, can only imagine.

Rajkummar Rao Shines in ‘Srikanth’

Tushar Hiranandani has undoubtedly chosen a remarkable subject. Despite growing advocacy and awareness, placing a person with a disability at the forefront remains an act of courage, especially amidst dwindling theatrical releases. With Rajkummar Rao portraying Srikanth Bolla, one can expect both skill and sincerity. However, condensing the highs and lows of a challenging life into a 2.5-hour feature risks oversimplification, detracting from the complexity of the story. (Rajkummar Rao Shines in ‘Srikanth’)

Is Srikanth’s depiction authentic? This is pivotal for viewer belief. On that front, Rao delivers, although I found myself momentarily distracted by his eyebrow wiggle in the latter half of the film, which also felt a bit dry. Rao stands out as one of the rare actors who can fully embody a role, transcending vanity in the process. When his Srikanth Bolla repeats his mantra, ‘Sri Can,’ and smiles, you can’t help but smile back.

Jyotika convincingly portrays Srikanth’s unwavering support system, his teacher who remains by his side during the toughest of times. Alaya F’s portrayal of a young woman intrigued by Srikanth’s determination injects a refreshing energy into the film. One can’t help but wish her character had more depth and screen time. Sharad Kelkar delivers his usual dependable performance as Srikanth’s loyal friend, who stands by him through thick and thin, even when Srikanth’s ego gets the better of him. (Rajkummar Rao Shines in ‘Srikanth’)

One of the film’s strengths lies in its departure from the notion that disabled individuals must always be portrayed as noble and virtuous. Rajkummar Rao effectively portrays Srikanth as flawed and sometimes too clever for his good, reminding us that people facing significant challenges are still human and capable of behaving poorly. Delving deeper into this aspect of Srikanth’s character, whose real-life efforts have greatly influenced blind students pursuing science, would have added valuable depth to the film.

The movie’s message-driven segments are filled with dense dialogue, delivering life lessons in rapid succession. While Srikanth’s pivotal speech on how to interact with people with disabilities is impactful, it feels like a convenient shortcut, relying more on telling than showing. My main gripe, however, is with the overpowering background music, especially during pivotal moments, drowning out even the dialogue. Why can’t filmmakers trust us to experience those emotions without such heavy-handed cues?

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Despite its flaws, I’ll still commend ‘Srikanth’. It tells the story of someone who defied the label of being helpless, refusing to resort to begging or settling for menial jobs. Instead, it celebrates an individual who lifted himself from the depths of despair, creating opportunities not only for himself but also for countless others. It emphasizes equality over victimhood, and while it may sometimes feel like preaching, the message is undeniably powerful.