Srikanth Bolla: Was clear the film cannot have a sad spin

Rajkummar Rao in the film

Having your life story unfold on screen can be among one's happiest moments, but Srikanth Bolla found it equally difficult to part with his story. Reason? Bolla, who became a successful industrialist despite being visually challenged, believes one has to be mindful of how such a story is told. "It's a story that must be told with caution. Limelight is tough. Also, once your biopic is on celluloid, it's your responsibility to uphold the life you've reflected on screen," says Bolla, who was the first international visually-impaired student in management science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and went on to set up Bollant Industries in 2012.

Rajkummar Rao with Srikanth Bolla. Pic/Yogen Shah

Reaching the zenith hasn't been easy. His journey will be chronicled in Srikanth that sees Rajkummar Rao play the titular role. Bolla admits that initially, he was "not interested at all" in Tushar Hiranandani's directorial venture. "I'm very shy as a person. I stay away from the media. But Tushar chased me down relentlessly. He got in touch with my business partner [Ravi Mantha] and convinced me that he wants to tell the story with love and optimism. I was clear it cannot have a sad spin. I wasn't okay with a documentary treatment. Against all odds, a life can be lived well. I wanted the film to be happy and successful like my life. Everyone has some problem or the other, but it's my response to the problems that [is shown in] the movie. People think this film is about the education system disadvantaging people.

That's a part, but the larger story is more than that. It's not an attack on anyone; it's a celebration of life." The May 10 release, also starring Jyotika and Alaya F, benefits from Rao's presence. Bolla, who went to the set a few times during the shoot, says the actor has his heart. "Tushar told me he'd cast someone I resonate with. Raj is self-made. He is hard-working and has success that is well-earned. I heard from people that he has nailed my mannerisms perfectly; I think he has done a stunning piece of work. He had a set number of dates for the film, but the way he went above and beyond was moving."