Srikanth 2024

Srikanth Bolla, Rajkummar Rao, is the centerpiece of this Hindi-language biopic that traces a remarkable journey from a visually impaired boy in Seetharamapuram village, Machilipatnam, in undivided Andhra Pradesh, to a pioneering entrepreneur who founded Bollant Industries in 2012 to give meaningful work to unskilled and differently-abled people, crafting eco-friendly products with care and determination. His story opens with a birth that fills a father with pride, only to turn to sorrow when the newborn is sightless; the father even digs a grave for him, a moment saved by his mother’s steady, unwavering love. From a young age, Srikanth faces bullying at school, yet his brilliance keeps shining through, setting the stage for a life defined by resilience and ambition.

In Hyderabad, Srikanth enters a special school where his talents become evident, but his arrogance also surfaces, leading to a dramatic expulsion. It is here that a guiding mentor emerges: Devika, a compassionate teacher who hand-holds him through legal hurdles to study science and to pursue education overseas. “He deserves a chance to learn in the best possible environment,” she implies, and her faith becomes the turning point that opens doors Srikanth once thought closed. The path to higher learning takes him abroad, where he faces a late but decisive breakthrough: he becomes the first visually impaired international student admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after a previous rejection from Indian institutions.

At MIT, Srikanth finds support from two fellow students who help him navigate new academic terrain and enormous expectations. Alongside these studies, he encounters Swati, a woman drawn to his ambition and resilience through social media, and her encouragement becomes a steady heartbeat in his pursuit of a bigger dream. As his relationship with Swati deepens, she persuades him to bring his talents back home, to realize his dreams within India’s shores, where he can build something that delivers real social impact.

Back in India, a seasoned mentor continues to guide him, and Srikanth tests his ideas by launching a computer institute that, despite earnest effort, falters. Undeterred, he pivots toward a larger, more ambitious enterprise: Bollant Industries, a venture with his partner Ravi Sharad Kelkar that prioritizes employment for the disabled and the creation of sustainable products. The early days are fraught with misunderstandings and challenges, but with steady mentorship and a stubborn belief in his mission, Srikanth begins to carve out a space where his company can grow and endure.

The film also pays attention to the steadfast support of family and community, including Damodar Bolla Srinivas Beesetty, who stands with him through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and Kavita Mantha Vinita Venugopal, a collaborator whose role helps shape the company’s path. Through it all, Srikanth’s story remains anchored in the idea that adversity can be transformed into opportunity when courage meets opportunity, and when a strong network of mentors, friends, and colleagues keeps faith with a bold, socially conscious vision. The journey is not just about business success, but about opening eyes—“Aa Raha Hai Sabki Aankhen Kholne”—to a future where potential is measured not by who you are, but by what you can become with determination and support.