Srikanth Movie Review: Rajkummar Rao bowls you over with his resilience and wit in this inspiring biopic

Director: Tushar Hiranandani

Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Jyothika, Alaya F, Sharad Kelkar, Jameel Khan

Run-time: 134 minutes

Storyline: The inspirational story of visually-impaired industrialist Srikanth Bolla

Srikanth Movie: Story

Srikanth Bolla is visually impaired and can 'practically only dream'. Therefore, he chooses to dream rather big and chase those dreams by all means. He has quite a few mottos in life -- 'I can't run, so I must fight', 'There is nothing I cannot do', and 'If others can, Sri also can'. He isn't asking for help. He needs guidance and mentoring. He doesn't want people to pity him for his limitations. He wants to get things on merit. Director Tushar Hiranandani, along with writers Jagdeep Siddhu and Sumit Purohit, stitches all these aspects beautifully, and weaves them into a simplistic yet impactful narrative in the form of this biographical, Srikanth.

Srikanth, played flawlessly by Rajkummar Rao, says, 'Main hero nahi ban raha, main hero hoon'. Well, that simply encapsulates his standing in the film. He is the heart and hero of Srikanth and shines throughout without any low points as far as his performance is concerned. Even when the narrative, screenplay or the pace of the film dwindles, it's Rao's terrific performance that keeps the ship afloat. It's hard to not notice the time and effort that has gone into the prep of this character and that shows in every single frame. A scene where Srikanth falls on the ground and hits his forehead, and inconsolably cries in front of his teacher saying he doesn't want to beg, doesn't evoke an emotion of pity but shows his resilience and strength.

Srikanth Movie: Script Analysis

Jagdeep Siddhu and Sumit Purohit penned the story. The first half excels in its narrative, tracing Srikanth’s journey from rural life to pursuing higher studies abroad. While maintaining a light tone, the film sensitively addresses the challenges Srikanth faces, from bullying due to his disability to fighting against the unfair rules of the Indian education system to pursue his passion.

The film’s intent is not merely to inspire us but also to shed light on the struggles faced by individuals like Srikanth in society. The profound portrayal of his heartbreak upon failing to secure admission to IIT resonates deeply, highlighting how there’s only more struggle his way in everything he does. What I liked is how the movie doesn’t make you feel gloomy consistently with Bolla’s challenges. So, the makers added several humorous moments that made the narrative fun.

In the second half, the story delves into the harsh realities of the job market, where, despite his qualifications, Srikanth is dealing with unemployment. He is discouraged, but as the movie says: “People like him cannot run; they can only fight back.” So, he embarks on the entrepreneurial path, facing initial setbacks. Furthermore, the plot gets complicated with a political twist. I understand it’s inspired by real events, but the whole sequence somehow dulls the excitement that was built right from the start. While the pacing slows down during the political drama, the narrative regains momentum in the final act, offering glimpses of hope amidst hardships.

Srikanth Movie: Star Performance

Rajkummar Rao’s portrayal of Srikanth Bolla is nothing short of brilliant, capturing every nuance of the character with authenticity and depth. His performance, from subtle gestures that resemble Srikanth Bolla’s body language to mastering the subtle dialect, embodies Srikanth’s determination and passion. Rao brings a certain charm and wit in his portrayal, which leaves you in awe.

Jyothika shines as Devika, Srikanth’s mentor. She infuses the character with warmth and strength and keeps him grounded. Srikanth’s journey would’ve been incomplete without Devika, and the movie’s beauty would’ve fallen short without Jyothika’s exceptional performance. Alaya F, as Swathi, Srikanth’s love interest, adds a touch of tenderness to the narrative. Sharad Kelkar delivers a solid performance as Ravi Mantha, the investor in Srikanth’s venture.

Srikanth Movie: Direction, Music

There’s honesty in Tushar Hiranandani’s vision of how he wanted to convey Srikanth Bolla’s journey on the big screen. Right from the start, it’s evident that he aims to focus on how physical shortcomings didn’t discourage Bolla’s ambitions. Tushar steers clear of melodrama and presents Srikanth’s story with sincerity. Despite occasional preachiness in the dialogue, the film never succumbs to pity. The director intends to celebrate Srikanth’s resilience and determination instead, while also bringing our attention to how much our country has to grow when it comes to equal rights for every kind of individual.

With the energetic background score of “Papa Kehte Hain,” the film elevates its narrative, though the songs by Tanishk Bagchi and Sachet-Parampara are just okay.

Srikanth Movie: Conclusion

Overall, Tushar Hiranandani’s film about Srikanth’s journey is a beautiful ode to human spirit and determination. It tells us that what we see as weaknesses can be another person’s strengths. Rajkummar Rao’s stellar performance and the compelling narrative about how dreams are beyond what we see through our eyes will leave a smile on your face.