Rajkumar Rao recalls his shoot experiences for Srikanth ahead of its Television premiere

Mumbai: Rajkumar Rao breathes life into the remarkable journey of Srikanth Bolla, who defied societal expectations and personal odds to build Bollant Industries, a multi-million-dollar enterprise.

As 'Srikanth' premieres on Sony MAX, Rajkumar reflects on his first encounter with the real Srikanth—an experience that left him more in awe than the story itself. "Meeting Srikanth was like very inspirational," Rajkumar shares. "His wit, confidence, and relentless drive to succeed are infectious. You can't help but be inspired. He's accomplished so much in such a short time, and the fire in him hasn't dimmed one bit."

Portraying a character like Srikanth was challenging, even for an actor of Rajkumar's calibre. The role demanded emotional depth and a physical and mental immersion into Srikanth's world. "I didn't want just to play the character; I wanted to understand him," Rajkumar explains. To that end, he spent hours with Srikanth, absorbing his life story and his unique challenges. "On set, I tried to stay in the character, even if it meant relying on others to guide me. It was about more than just playing a part—it was about truly feeling what he has lived through."

One of the more unexpected challenges came when Rajkumar had to portray Srikanth playing blind cricket. "I had played cricket so many times but I did not realise that blind cricket would be so different. Blindfolded, I held the bat, and I had to hit the ball, relying only on sound. On my first try, I over-rotated so much that I ended up with a hairline fracture in my rib."

Under Tushar Hiranandani's direction, 'Srikanth' features an ensemble cast that includes Jyothika Saravanan, Alaya F, and Sharad Kelkar. With Rajkumar's dedication and nuanced performance at its core, the film celebrates resilience, ambition, and the kind of success that rewrites the rulebook on what's possible.

~ Watch the World Television Premiere of ‘Srikanth’ on Sony MAX on Sunday, 29th September at 08:00 PM ~