SRIKANTH is an inspiring tale told in an entertaining manner laced with an award-winning performance Movie Review: SRIKANTH is an inspiring tale

Star Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Jyotika, Sharad Kelkar, Alaya F

Director: Tushar Hiranandani

Srikanth Movie Synopsis: SRIKANTH is the story of a man's incredible journey. On July 13, 1992, Srikanth (Rajkummar Rao) is born to Damodar Bolla (Srivinas Beesetty) and Venkatamma Bolla (Anusha Nuthula) at Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The parents are devastated as Srikanth is born blind. Yet, Damodar and Venkatamma ensure he gets educated. He's enrolled in a primary school in their village. Srikanth is smart and is able to grasp the study material easily. Realizing that it won't be possible for him to study in the village school until Class 10, he's admitted to Asha School for Blind, Hyderabad after a few years. Here, a teacher named Devika (Jyotika) supports Srikanth and improves his performance in school. After passing Class 10, he decides to opt for the Science stream. But as per the rules, visually impaired students can't opt for Science. Hence, Srikanth goes to court and wins the case, making it easier for many blind students to now opt for the stream. When he tries to get admission to IIT, he once again faces a roadblock. This is when Devika recommends that he should try applying internationally. Srikanth soon gets a scholarship at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. He studies there and falls in love with life in the States. After completing his studies, he moves to India. As expected, he realizes that there are no jobs for blind educated and even computer-literate people. Srikanth, hence, decides to create his own system rather than changing the existing system. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Srikanth Movie Story Review: Jagdeep Siddhu and Sumit Purohit's story is fascinating. Srikanth Bolla has made a mark but not many know about him and his journey. Hence, it makes for a novel experience. Jagdeep Siddhu and Sumit Purohit's screenplay is entertaining and fast-paced. In places, however, it is too rushed. Jagdeep Siddhu and Sumit Purohit's dialogues (additional dialogues by K K Binojee) are normal and sharp. But it could have been better in the climax.

Tushar Hiranandani's direction is simple. His biggest achievement is that he doesn’t make the film depressing or heavy. The tone is light-hearted and hence, it has some sort of commercial appeal. Also, it’s refreshing to see a biopic in India in which the protagonist’s flawed side is also shown. A few scenes that rock the show are Srikanth being kicked out of the blind school, the courtroom sequence, Srikanth sighing that India doesn’t need him and Srikanth meeting A P J Abdul Kalam (Jameel Khan). Srikanth’s airport scene emerges as the best part of the film as it’s novel and one can’t predict where the scene is heading to.

On the flipside, the film drops in the second half, especially once the narrative takes a turn when Srikanth gets arrogant. The narrative is too rushed and one wishes the makers had depicted certain aspects in a better fashion. For instance, there’s no back story of Devika or who else is there in her family. It seemed like her whole life revolved around Srikanth. Srikanth’s parents are not given much prominence after the beginning scene. The end speech is memorable but could have been hard-hitting. Lastly, the music is not upto the mark.

Srikanth (Official Trailer): Rajkummar Rao | Jyotika, Alaya F

Srikanth Movie Performances: Rajkummar Rao is simply outstanding. This is unlike what he has done in the past and literally gets into the skin of the character. Truly, an award-winning performance! Jyotika is lovely and brings a lot of warmth to the film with her performance and character. One would wish that they had a teacher like her in their lives. Alaya F (Swathi) is adorable and gives a fine performance. Her introduction in the narrative, however, is sudden. Sharad Kelkar (Ravi Mantha) has a late entry but leaves a tremendous mark. Srivinas Beesetty and Anusha Nuthula do well but are hardly there. Jameel Khan is apt for the part. Bharat Jadhav (Judge), Clarissa Saaiman (Kelly), Siboniso Tadeus Mbatha (Edward), Shashidhar (Mahesh), Vinita Venugopal (Kavita; Ravi's wife), Sridhar Murthy (Venugopal; land owner), Sukhita Aiyer (Vidya Reddy; politician) and Vivek Mishra (Sreegiri; college principal) also deliver fine performances.

Srikanth music and other technical aspects: The only song that works is 'Papa Kehte Hai'. 'Tu Mil Gaya', 'Tumhe Hi Apna Maana Hai' and 'Jeena Sikha De' are forgettable. Ishaan Chhabra's background score is energetic and enhances impact.

Pratham Mehta's cinematography is appropriate. Tanvi Leena Patil's production design is realistic. Rohit Chaturvedi's costumes are straight out of life while the ones worn by Alaya are glamorous. Debasmita Mitra and Sanjay Sankla's editing is slick.

Srikanth Movie Conclusion: On the whole, SRIKANTH is an inspiring tale told in an entertaining manner and is also laced with an award-winning performance by Rajkummar Rao. At the box office, it has the potential to succeed, if it gets thumbs up from the target urban audience.

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