Two Films About Overcoming Blindness

 

 The name" Srikanth" (2024) was a famous cricket player and when a father was first informed he had a new son he picked the name Srikanth.  Soon he learned his son was blind and felt the most compassionate thing would be to let his son die.  His wife prevented him.  Most blind people survive through begging.This new Srikanth was fortunate that he was able to receive support.  He was sent to a school for the blind at Hyderabad, but was kicked out.  With the help of a teacher he contested in court his right to a regular science course.  He then gets accepted at M.I. T.  

As a true story he is inspiring in how he over comes problems.  His transition to a successful business career was not smooth and at some points he has to overcome his pride and overconfidence. 

At the closing credits you can see the real Srikanth and the real Ravi as they meet their film counterparts.  You can also see a photo of the wedding with Swathi and Srikanth and of his first child.

Tusher Hiranandani was the director.  He has 21 writing credits, 3 directing credits and 2 for additional crew including  "Attihi Tum Kab Jab Koagi" (2010), "The Villain" (2014) and "Half Girlfriend" (2017). 

Jagdeep Sidhu and Sumit Parohit wrote the script.

Bhushan Kumar was a producer.  At age 19 his father died and he took over the music business turning it into a major force.  Then he got involved with films leading up to 180 film credits including "Hindi Medium" (2017), "Kabir Singh" (2019), "Chandigarh Kare Ashiqui" (2021), "Drishyam 2" (2022) and "Bheed" (2023).  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/arjun-reddy-and-kabir-singh.html

 Ishaan Chhabra provided the background score. He has 28 composing credits, 5 for the  Music Department  and 3 for the  Sound Department including   "The Hundred Foot Journey" (2014),  "Jana Mana Gana" (2020) and ""She" (2020).

 Pratham Mehta was the cinemtaographer.  He has 33 cinematography credits, 13 for the Camera and Electrical Department and 2 for the Editorial Department.

"Sanjay Sukla was the editor.  He has 103 credits as editor, 6 for the Editorial Department and 2 as producer.  Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" (1998),  "Kabhi Khushi Kabhe Gham" (2001), "Kal Ho Naa Ho" (2003) and "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" (2006).

 Rajkummar Rao played Srikanth and is very effective as a blind man..  He acted in two theatrical groups before heading to the films.  He has been on a streak of films including "Shaitan" (2011), "Shahid" (2012), "Talaash" (2012), "Kai Po Che" (2013), "Queen" (2013), "Hamari Adhuri Kahani" (2015), "Trapped" (2016), "Bareilly Ki Barfi" (2017), "Stree" (2018), "Made in China" (2019), "Ludo" (2020), "White Tiger" (2021) and "Badaai Do" (2022).  check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/03/badhaai-do-lgbt-film-from-conservative.html

Jyotika (or Jyothika) has performed in Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam and Hindi films.  She has 50 acting credits including "Raatchasi" (2019), "Thambi" (2019) and "Ponmagal Vandhal" (2020).  She has been a producer for 6 films.  For her acting check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/04/raatchasi.html  For her producing check where she was heavily involved with my top overall film for 2021."Jai Bhim" (2021).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/11/jai-bhim.html

 Sharad Kelkar plays Ravi, a key financial investor.  He has 59 acting credits ad 2 for producing including "Rustom" (2018). 

Alaya F played Swathi, the romantic interest.  She has a diploma from the New York Film Academy and has trained in Kathak and contemporary dance.  She has 10 acting credits, 1 for writing and 1 for cinematography. 

This film is available subtitled (with much English dialogue) on Netflix.

"Ray" (2004) was about Ray Charles who I once watched at the Canadian National Exhibition.  He was diverse in a revolutionary sense.  One of the fascinating things was how he was able to maintain independence despite blindness.  He attributed it to his mother.  He did not use a cane.

How he figured out if a female was open or not answered an unspoken question of mine.    He had systems to avoid being cheated on money, and how to wear suitable clothing.

At first his music copied established performers, then he developed his own style but eventually he ventured into rock and country and proved he was a winner, despite many doubters.  He did have drug problems, but was able to overcome them. 

Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his portrayal.

I watched it on a PVR copy.

Want more inspiration check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/10/paralyzed-men-in-4-foreign-movies.html

Both films had interesting plots, provided by two interesting biographies, but for me what held my attention was how these men dealt with the loss of sight.