Steve Jobs was best known for being a visionary who co-founded companies as Apple and Pixar, but what convinced people was his ability to market himself through his enthusiastic and persuasive presentation skills. Elon Musk, likewise, had a reputation for building multiple companies with a goal to protect the environment (before he went downhill with his money and antics).
But not everybody is aware of Srikanth Bolla, the founder of Bollant Industries. So who is Srikanth? In this article, I will delve into the history of Srikanth Bolla, his willingness to generate employment for the disabled, and, through the lens of Disability Studies, explore the difficulties faced by disabled people when it comes to navigating society.
I Have a Vision: The Story of Srikanth
Born in Andhra Pradesh, his parents named him after the cricketer Srikkanth, but something struck them hard: he was completely blind. People around them even suggested he be killed, but his parents did not budge. They decided to raise him in the same fashion as other sighted children.
School was a tough time for Srikanth, who struggled with isolation and bullying from other children because of his disability. His parents eventually decided to take him to a blind school in Hyderabad.
Despite scoring 90+ in 10th, he was denied admission to pursue science. This led to a breakthrough case that allowed visually impaired students to take up science. Yet, the struggle continued when he was denied admission to IIT despite scoring 98% in 12th. His response was simple: “If IIT didn’t want me, I didn’t want IIT either.”
He applied to various foreign universities, including MIT, and became the first visually-impaired student in the world to be admitted there. An admirable achievement, you can tell me.
After completing his studies at MIT, he came back to India with a vision: to employ people like himself. Having witnessed the neglect and disregard faced by disabled individuals in India, he founded Bollant Industries in 2012, a company that produces eco-friendly paper from areca leaves and recycled paper.
On November 16, 2025, Srikanth Bolla was awarded the Ramoji Excellence Award under the Youth Icon category for his unwavering resilience and leadership in empowering people with disabilities. In 2016, Ratan Tata, believing in Srikanth's vision of an inclusive working environment, was one of the first investors to back Bollant Industries. Such is the power of motivation from him and APJ Abdul Kalam that drove Srikanth to tremendous success.
In the following section, I will provide an understanding of disability studies and present my questionnaire/case study with a visually impaired individual who provided fresh insights into the stark reality of living with disability in India today. This case study also explores the gap between the portrayal of disability in Indian media and the lived experiences of those who navigate these barriers every day.
A Brief Overview of Disability Studies
In simple terms, Disability Studies is a wide-ranging field that examines how disability intersects with society, culture, and politics. It looks closely at how social structures and systems shape and often impede the lives of disabled people. To understand how society interprets disability, two key models are often discussed: the individualistic model and the social model.
The Models of Disability
The Individualistic Model
This model is the common way people perceive disability. It contains several subcategories:
Medical Model - It locates the problem of disability in the individual. According to this model, the flaw lies in the disability of the individual, which deviates from normal behaviour. The goal is to attempt to “fix” the disability.
Charity Model - Suggests that disabled people constantly need help and sympathy, portraying them as dependent and pitiable, as is prominent in the brochures of NGOs working with disabled individuals.
Moral Model - Claims disability is the result of divine punishment, bad luck, or the individual’s character.
Economic Model - Views disability as a hindrance to employment or productivity.
These models were criticised by many disabled people for downplaying their abilities and ignoring society’s role in creating barriers. This criticism led to the emergence of the social model.
The Social Model
This model positions disability within social systems and structures. It argues that society disables people by placing obstacles, whether they be physical, attitudinal, or institutional, in their path. In this model, the problem is not the disability per se, but the lack of accessibility and acknowledgement from society.
A Case Study on Visual Impairment in Society
As part of a college project, I conducted a questionnaire with a visually impaired student who had recently completed his graduation and agreed to participate in an interview. What he shared was emotional and insightful.
He was born completely blind. Like Srikanth, his family initially felt ashamed. The role models in his life were his aunt and his grandparents, who supported him when others did not. His aunt enrolled him in school, where he was ignored by classmates and belittled by teachers. His principal expelled him from the school because they didn’t believe he had any potential. But he and his aunt never gave up. She enrolled him in another school, where he passed 10th with flying colours.
He told me about a job interview during which the interviewer laughed and questioned his ability to use a computer. Having seen him use his laptop and mobile phone with remarkable agility, even as a sighted person, I could clearly see the potential in him, a potential that others failed to recognise.
He went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology. As of now, he is looking for job opportunities and actively learning new skills.
When asked about the film Srikanth, he considered Srikanth a “brother” who resonated with his struggles. While he agrees that both have different paths, he feels a sense of connection and belonging. He felt motivated to pursue his aspirations and work towards the development of himself.
My Thoughts on Srikanth (2024)
The reason why I started working on my college project, and of course, this writing: the biopic Srikanth. An inspirational biopic on the life of an Indian visually-impaired industrialist, Srikanth Bolla. When I first watched this film, I was, at once, captivated by Rajkummar Rao’s performance as the whimsical and straightforward Srikanth, and Jyotika’s portrayal of Devika, his empathetic mentor.
However, a year later, does the film hold up? Not entirely.
This film leans heavily into the familiar ‘underdog’ narrative, aligning with the individualistic model of disability where a disabled person faces insurmountable obstacles, overcomes them, succeeds, and becomes a role model for all, a “superhuman,” as disability rights activist Mike Oliver states. Films such as Iqbal (2005) and Sitaare Zameen Par (2025) follow a similar formula.
However, the film portrays Srikanth as a flawed human being, someone who, at one point, allows power to cloud his judgment, but it is soon resolved after Devika puts a stop to it, continuing his triumph with his “remarkable determination.” The supporting characters (Alaya F as Swathi, particularly) serve as motivators in his journey, though they don’t resonate with viewers as strongly as Srikanth himself and Devika.
I enjoyed this film a lot. However, it could have focused more on society’s role in disabling individuals, rather than presenting yet another life story of an individual who triumphs over societal barriers and obstacles, while overlooking the struggles of those with fewer resources and support systems than Srikanth.
Conclusion
Exploring disability studies, Srikanth Bolla’s journey, and the experiences of a visually impaired student, it becomes clear that the reality of disability in India is more complex than what is portrayed in the media. While Srikanth acknowledges the struggles and flaws of its titular protagonist, the case study reveals the persistent barriers that many visually impaired people still face in education, employment, and acceptance in society. These perspectives highlight the need for an inclusive society that supports, values, and empowers disabled individuals as they navigate the often inaccessible spaces of everyday life.
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