Srikanth Movie Review

Introduction

Rajkummar Rao does the best with what he is given and he ably elevates the generic storytelling. Too bad that his performance remains the only takeaway from such an inspiring real-life story, notes Mayur Sanap.

Story Overview

There’s something about underdog stories that work really well as a narrative device in films. The going against the odds, powering through highs and lows to realize one’s dreams, makes for an entertaining watch. More so, if it is based on a real-life personality.

In Srikanth, Director Tushar Hiranandani paints the life journey of Srikanth Bolla, a visually challenged industrialist who fought his way up and made his mission to help others like him.

The film begins with Srikanth’s birth in a village in Andhra Pradesh and over the duration of two hours, it spins the narrative through many important chapters of his life. We learn that Srikanth wants to be India’s ‘first-ever visually challenged President’. No dream is too big for Srikanth, who doesn’t see his blindness as a handicap and neither does he want to be sympathized for it.

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Plus Points

• Rajkummar Rao’s Performance: As Srikanth, Rao is an emotional and determined force on screen. This is an author-backed role and Rao’s ability to rise to the occasion wills this film along. His speech, tics, hand gestures, and all-around physicality power his very likable performance.
• Inspirational Story: The natural greatness of Srikanth Bolla’s story at hand provides an inherently inspiring narrative.
• Supporting Cast: Jyotika delivers a luminous presence as his all-seeing teacher Devika, and Sharad Kelkar and Alaya F offer commendable support despite their characters being underdeveloped.

Minus Points

• Generic Storytelling: The film’s episodic nature never quite sets the right rhythm. Many themes are haphazardly explored and don’t combine into a compelling whole.
• Character Development: The film barely scratches the surface of Srikanth’s activist side or his equation with Ravi, both of which are instrumental in his entrepreneurial journey. Deeper exploration into reflective moments of his life would have made a difference.
• Rushed Ending: The ending feels rushed, highlighted by Srikanth’s big climatic speech that’s more suitable for an Akshay Kumar film. The epilogue is especially jarring with a summing-up real-to-reel moment that feels completely misplaced.

Technical Aspects

• Direction: Tushar Hiranandani steers clear of overt melodrama but is too focused on crowd-pleasing moments rather than telling a genuinely stirring story.
• Writing: The writer duo of Jagdeep Siddhu and Sumit Purohit toy around with many different themes, but many of these aspects are haphazardly explored and don’t combine into a compelling whole.

Verdict

Srikanth offers a mixed bag. Rajkummar Rao shines in his portrayal of Srikanth Bolla, but the film fails to soar due to its adherence to all-too-familiar conventions of a standard biopic. The first half impresses with Rao’s performance and the inspirational story, but the second half struggles with pacing issues and a less engaging screenplay. Viewers may find moments of enjoyment, particularly in Rao’s performance, but should approach with tempered expectations for a complete cinematic experience.

FAQs

Q: Who is the director of Srikanth?
A: The film is directed by Tushar Hiranandani.

Q: How is Rajkummar Rao’s performance in the film?
A: Rajkummar Rao delivers an emotional and determined performance as Srikanth Bolla, effectively carrying the film with his portrayal.

Q: What are the strengths of Srikanth?
A: The film’s strengths include Rajkummar Rao’s strong performance and the inherently inspiring story of Srikanth Bolla.

Q: What are the weaknesses of the film?
A: The film’s weaknesses include generic storytelling, underdeveloped character arcs, and a rushed ending that fails to delve deeply into the protagonist’s life.

Q: Is Srikanth worth watching?
A: While the film has its flaws, it is worth watching for Rajkummar Rao’s performance and the inspirational story of Srikanth Bolla, especially if you enjoy biographical dramas.

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