Correct me if I am wrong, but today we are flooded with biopics.

So, we now have ‘Srikanth’, the rags to riches (literally and figuratively) life of Srikanth Bolla an awesome successful but blind man. In such biographies one cannot expect too many turns or twists or romance, but melodrama. Luckily director Tushar Hiranandani eschewed the theatrics to a great extent which needs special appreciation.

Srikanth (Rajkummar Rao) was born blind in a highly deprived family but with an exceptional brain. From his school days, he never fails to show that his thought process has hardly anything to do with his visual impairment.

Devika (Jyothika) teacher in the blind school takes a special interest in the boy, his enthusiasm and mental vision help the boy in every way to cross the barriers. He is admitted to the science stream while the law forbids blind students to study science. He disproves it practically and comes out with flying colors. Not just that. He is given admission to the USA’s prestigious MIT to graduate with all expenses. These are, in fact, not easy even for a normal, intelligent, and bright student. For me, as a viewer, the story ended here.

As expected, whatever Srikanth touches turns good for him. He finds a pretty girlfriend during his studies who goads him to return to India and become popular. He follows her advice and returns and becomes an entrepreneur with the help of Ravi (Sharad Kelkar), a genuine friend extending livelihood to many physically challenged people.

A good aspect of this biopic is it also highlights the grey side of his success through the shortchange in his behavior once he becomes successful.

Though one cannot find any lacunae in the making of the film, the tempo is a bit sluggish. Further, it didn’t absorb me as it did in ‘12th Fail’, which was more earthy. While I waited with bated breath during the UPSC interview of Manoj, I felt like yawning during the last segment here. Nevertheless, thanks to the makers for bringing on celluloid something more inspiring than just entertaining.