In 2012, Srikanth Bolla didn’t just start a company—he created a movement. Bollant Industries, his brainchild, specializes in areca-based products and has provided employment to hundreds of people with disabilities. It’s a mission that caught the eye of none other than Ratan Tata, who backed the venture with his support and funding—a ringing endorsement from one of India’s most iconic business leaders.
Born visually impaired, Srikanth refused to let life’s challenges dictate his path. While most of us waste time fretting over trivial setbacks, he turned his circumstances into a catalyst for change. Bollant isn’t just a company; it’s a testament to what happens when inclusion meets innovation. By offering meaningful work to those often overlooked, Srikanth proved that ability—not disability—defines true potential.
His story reminds us that success isn’t about what you lack; it’s about what you create with what you have. Srikanth Bolla is living proof that the biggest obstacles can become the foundation for the greatest achievements.
Creating Opportunities: How Bollant Became a Champion of Inclusion
Srikanth Bolla’s journey reads like the script of an underdog blockbuster. But Srikanth isn’t one to be boxed in by expectations. He crossed continents to study at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, proving that vision isn’t limited to sight.
Fast forward to today, and he’s the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Hyderabad-based Bollant Industries Private Limited, a company redefining inclusivity and sustainability. Under his leadership, Bollant became more than a business—it’s a platform where innovation meets purpose, providing jobs for those society often sidelines.
The accolades? They just keep coming. From topping the ‘30 under 30’ Forbes Asia List to collecting awards like a pro, Srikanth’s story is a masterclass in shattering glass ceilings. He didn’t just defy the odds; he rewrote them entirely.
Overcoming Hurdles: Srikanth Bolla’s Humble Origins
Srikant Bholla’s origin story isn’t your typical “overcoming adversity” trope—it’s the kind of tale that makes you think, “If he can do this, what’s my excuse?” Born blind in Seetharampuram, Andhra Pradesh, to a farming family, Srikant wasn’t handed a golden ticket. He was handed a shovel. But instead of planting crops, he planted ideas.
After finishing class 10, he knew exactly what he wanted: science. But the school? They said “No.” The reason? His blindness. So, Srikant did what any person who wasn’t interested in staying in their lane would do—he sued them. Six months later, a judge basically handed him a victory like a mic drop. He was going to study science, and nothing—certainly not school bureaucracy—was going to stop him.
Srikant didn’t just settle for “good enough.” No, he blasted through expectations and topped his 12th board exams with a mind-blowing 98%. The logical next step? IIT, right? Wrong. Rejected by coaching institutes who thought disability equals inability, he could’ve folded. But not Srikant. He didn’t need their gates; he found his own path, all the way to MIT—the MIT. Not too shabby for a kid who wasn’t supposed to get past high school.
At MIT, he didn’t just attend. He thrived, landing work placements that made the Ivy League look like an open mic night. But here’s the kicker—he wasn’t after the American dream. His heart beat for India. He could’ve stayed in the U.S. basking in Silicon Valley glory, but instead, he returned home, determined to make waves in the very place that almost denied him his shot.
Building a Legacy with the Samanvai Center & Bollant Industries
In 2011, Srikant Bholla didn’t just start a center—he sparked a movement. He co-founded the Samanvai Center for Children with Multiple Disabilities, and in doing so, he didn’t just think big, he thought differently. Among the center’s game-changing initiatives? A Braille printing press. Not a nice-to-have. A need to bridge a gap that’s often ignored. But that was just the beginning. Samanvai didn’t stop at education. No, it went full throttle with vocational training, financial support, and rehabilitation programs—transforming lives, building futures, and pushing students toward economic independence.
Then, in 2012, he turned up the volume even more. Enter Bollant Industries. This wasn’t just another company—it was a revolution for people with disabilities. Bollant didn’t just provide jobs; it created a new narrative. Specializing in eco-friendly, areca-based products, it became an incubator for employment, giving hundreds of people with disabilities the chance to show the world that ability is the true definition of success. The initiative hit a sweet spot, earning the attention of none other than Ratan Tata. Yeah, that Ratan Tata, who didn’t just back it—he funded it. Talk about validation from the top.
What’s Srikanth Bolla Net Worth?
According to Hamariweb, he’s amassed a net worth of ₹50 crore—a jaw-dropping figure for anyone, let alone someone who had such a humble beginning. Specializing in environmentally friendly, recycled Kraft paper, Srikant Bholla’s venture Bollant Industries takes municipal waste, discarded packaging, natural leaves, and even waste plastic, and turns them into usable products. It’s not just recycling—it’s a reinvention of what waste can do. And in 2018? The company hit a staggering Rs 150 crore turnover. If that doesn’t make you sit up, I don’t know what will.
A Biopic that Features Rajkummar Rao Brings Srikanth Bolla’s Inspiring Story to Screen
Now, here’s the part that gets really interesting. Srikant’s life story didn’t just make headlines—it became the stuff of cinematic legend. Enter Rajkummar Rao, stepping into Srikant’s shoes in the biopic “Srikanth – Aa Raha Hai Sabki Aankhein Kholne“, which hit the big screen on May 10. And trust me, if you’re looking for a lesson in resilience, determination, and redefining what’s possible, this film’s got it all. Srikant’s journey—pushing past barriers set by his blindness—shows that true vision isn’t about seeing with your eyes; it’s about seeing beyond limitations.
Conclusion
Losing eyesight did not deter Srikanth Bolla from becoming a successful entrepreneur who would eventually be worth crores of rupees – the boy from rural Andhra Pradesh has surely proved that you don’t need eyesight to develop a great vision. His story is not just one of the trailblazers but of the trailblazers who did it in style. Whereas most of us struggle to choose a TV series on Netflix, Bolla managed to construct an entire business around the safety of the environment. As Bollant Industries goes past ₹150 crore and there’s a movie, this MIT alumnus has shown that when life gives you lemons, you don’t make lemonade, you create a lemonade empire.
FAQs
Q1: How did Srikanth Bolla manage to study science when his school initially refused him?
A: Talk about determination! When his school said “no” because of his blindness, Bolla didn’t just sulk – he lawyered up. He took the case to court and after six months of trial, he won the case. The verdict in effect said to the education system, “Sorry, but being blind does not mean you cannot be a scientist.” He then topped it up with a magnificent 98% in his 12th board.
Q2: What makes Bollant Industries unique in the business landscape?
A: Bollant Industries can be viewed as the Robin Hood of the corporate world – the company takes jobs away from unfair employers! The company focuses on production of products from areca leaves and recycled materials and its employees are mostly the disabled. It has a turnover of ₹150 crore which is an example of the fact that one can be both profitable and socially responsible. Also, when Ratan Tata supports your idea, you are sure that you are on the right track!
Q3: What inspired Srikanth to return to India after graduating from MIT?
A: While most MIT grads set off to achieve the American Dream with a GPS, Bolla decided to return to India without one! Although there are great opportunities in the Silicon Valley he decided to come back home to make the difference where it is needed most. The decision of starting Samanvai Center and later Bollant Industries was not only to create an enterprise but to create hope. Perhaps, one should consider it his way of saying ‘Thank you, next!’ to the American Dream while building an Indian reality.
