Who is Srikanth Bolla? Know the inspiring real-life story of the visually-impaired entrepreneur played by Rajkummar Rao in his film Srikanth

Well-known for delivering stellar on-screen performances, actor Rajkummar Rao, has collaborated with filmmaker Tushar Hiranandani for a biopic based on the life of Srikanth Bolla — a visually-impaired entrepreneur-industrialist who founded Bollant Industries. Bolla is also the first blind international student from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States to earn a degree in Management Science.

Apart from Rajkummar Rao, the biographical drama also features Jyotika, Sharad Kelkar, and Alaya F in crucial roles. If you're planning to watch this biopic, then here are all the details you need to know about the visually impaired entrepreneur who overcame many obstacles to establish his own business and become an inspiration for many.

Who is Srikanth Bolla? Know the inspiring real-life story of the visually-impaired entrepreneur essayed by Rajkummar Rao

Srikanth Bolla, who was born into a family of farmers on July 7, 1991, in the rural village of Seetharamapuram, Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, had been visually impaired since birth. Due to his disability, Bolla encountered numerous difficulties such as societal prejudices and limited opportunities from a young age. However, his eagerness to learn kept him going. The movie highlights Bolla's early struggles and how he transformed his disability into an advantage.

The entrepreneur-industrialist faced multiple hurdles in the education field as well. Despite securing top grades in the 10th grade, he was not allowed to study science. However, he filed a legal case and appealed to the government for the same. After six months, he received permission from the concerned authorities to pursue science, but at his own risk. He faced a similar challenge when he applied to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Ultimately, he joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States for an undergraduate course in Management Science. Notably, he became the first blind student to study at the prestigious university.

In an interview with BBC, Bolla opened up about the challenges he faced due to the country's education system. "I was told by top coaching institutes that the course load would be like pouring rain on a small sapling. But I have no regrets. If IIT didn't want me, I didn't want IIT either," he said.

After completing his education, Srikanth Bolla returned to India and founded Bollant Industries in 2012. The company was established to provide employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. According to a Forbes India report, Indian billionaire businessman Ratan Tata invested an undisclosed amount in Bollant Industries in 2016. The report also stated that the company had a successful run, generating a revenue of around Rs 130 crore before the pandemic hit.

Under Srikanth Bolla's leadership, Bollant Industries achieved great success in manufacturing eco-friendly and sustainable products. The company not only employs differently-abled individuals but also focuses on environmental sustainability. They manufacture disposable plates, cups, and other daily-use products. Bollant Industries has four production plants located in Nizamabad (Telangana), Hubli (Karnataka), and two in Hyderabad (Telangana). According to News18 and other online reports, the company's worth is over Rs 500 crore.

In addition to his role at Bollant Industries, Srikanth Bolla is also the director of Surge Impact Foundation, which was established in 2016 to help various Indian companies achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. He is also the co-founder of the Samanvai Center for children with multiple disabilities, where he started a Braille printing press to help people with visual impairment.

In April 2017, Srikanth Bolla was one of the three Indians to feature on Forbes' list of 30 under 30 in Asia. He was also named in 2021's World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders list. According to a News18 report and publicly available data, Srikanth Bolla has an estimated net worth of Rs 50 crore.