From 'Srikanth' to 'Black', eight movies that tell inspiring stories of disabled people

Cinema is often considered to be a reflection of the society we live in. And when it comes to tackling the issue of disability, we have seen countless films where a disabled person is portrayed as deficient or, worse, introduced for the sole purpose of comic relief. Thankfully, times are changing. The recently released film, Srikanth saw Rajkummar Rao play Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired industrialist and the founder of Bollant Industries. Apart from Srikanth, countless other films have tackled the issues of disability with sensitivity and sensibility, portraying disabled characters who overcome obstacles in their path to persevere. 

Here’s a list of remarkable films, that feature a character with a disability as its protagonist, that you need to watch.

Black (2005)

While everyone enjoys the grandeur—costumes, set designs, etc—on display in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movies, this 2005 masterpiece, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji, takes little to no time to raise your spirits. Inspired by the life and struggles of American author Hellen Keller, the film revolves around Michelle (Mukerji), a blind and deaf girl, and Debraj (Bachchan) who develops Alzheimer’s disease towards the end of the movie. Despite being blind and deaf, it’s Debraj who brings a lot of colour into Michelle’s black world and helps her become a self-independent woman who goes on to graduate from college (a phenomenal graduation speech by Mukerji). Watching the roles reverse and seeing a grown-up Michelle help Debraj who has lost all sense of self is sure to bring tears to your eyes. It’s a reminder that you must always keep going right till the very end, for victory will be yours.

Where to watch: Netflix

Iqbal (2005)

You might remember the melodious number Aashayein by KK from this film as a song that brightens your mood every time you listen to it, if not the film. If you liked the track, you’ll surely love this 2005 National Award-winning movie by Nagesh Kukoonoor, which stars Shreyas Talpade, Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad, and Shweta Prasad. The movie revolves around the life of Iqbal (Talpade), a villager with a hearing and speaking impairment who is very passionate about cricket. It shows his journey from learning about the game to going on to play for India. Making him achieve his dream is a retired alcoholic player (Shah) who coaches him in the fields with buffaloes as fielders. It’s a film that will remind you that if you have talent and hope in your heart, there’s nobody who will be able to stop you from fulfilling your dream. 

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Taare Zameen Par (2007)

Aamir Khan couldn’t have chosen a better topic in his first film as director, as the movie was an eye-opener for audiences who had no clue about what dyslexia is. Teaching one about how every child is special, it featured Darsheel Safary as the protagonist, an 8-year-old named Ishaan Awasthi in the film who suffers from dyslexia. While he struggles to grasp new concepts, information, and life in general, he unfortunately gets perceived as lazy and stupid. So much so that his parents send him to boarding school in the hope that he becomes disciplined. Awasthi’s life changes when he meets his new art teacher (Khan), who helps him out by understanding the reasons behind his problem. The film is a stark reminder to parents and teachers that they must be patient with children when it comes to discovering their creativity and talent and do their best to encourage them to exhibit it in front of the world. 

Where to watch: Netflix

Barfi (2012)

Starring Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, this heartwarming film will teach you how to be happy in the simplest of ways and how never to give up on the people you love. If you thought love had a language, this love story about an autistic girl and a deaf-mute boy will prove exactly why there are so many other ways to express your love without saying anything. Not only is the film very entertaining thanks to its engaging plot and phenomenal soundtrack, it is also very special as it cuts no corners in dealing with the subject of the film with a lot of sensitivity. You’ll laugh, cry, and go through a roller coaster of emotions watching a perfect blend of comedy and romance as two imperfect individuals find love and realise that they’re perfect for each other. 

Where to watch: Netflix

The Theory of Everything (2014)

This biographical romantic drama is based on the life of renowned British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. At 21, Hawking was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which saw him gradually lose mobility in his limbs. Despite his disability, Hawkings and his partner, Jane Wilde, fall in love and break new scientific ground as he becomes one of the most brilliant and celebrated scientific minds in history. This is a remarkable story of a man who helped advance mankind’s understanding of the universe and shows us how he defied the odds to not only survive but to prosper.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

This comedy-drama features outstanding performances by Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen, where the latter plays a man with Down syndrome who dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. After escaping from an assisted living facility, Zak finds himself on a small fishing boat owned by Tyler (LaBeouf), who is on the run himself. The two men form a deep friendship as they share their thoughts on everything under the sun—love, loss, and their dreams.  It’s a refreshing take on how disabled characters and their friendships are written and portrayed, because it addresses the critical issue of representation, something that disabled people face both in cinema and in real life as well. Unlike many films that see able-bodied actors play disabled characters, Gottsagen's authentic performance highlights what is often missing in such portrayals.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020)

This documentary from Barack and Michelle Obama’s production house, Higher Ground Productions, is not one for the faint-hearted. It’s a spine-chilling watch as the offering goes back in time to Camp Jened, which invited people with disabilities during the 50s, 60s, and 70s, as mainstream camps did not. Backed by real-life footage from the camp, the film documents the lives and experiences of the campers. With summer camp representing a milestone moment in an individual’s coming of age, the documentary also shows the audience how it led to their political awakening, with many of the attendees going on to become leaders and prominent figures in the disability rights movement in the United States. Their protests bore fruition as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990. 

Where to watch: Netflix

Srikanth (2024)

Srikanth tells the extraordinary story of a blind man who, despite lacking a sense of sight, possesses the gift of exceptional vision. Based on the true-life story of industrialist Srikanth Bolla, this awe-inspiring tale follows an individual who decides he wasn’t going to live the rest of his life in poverty. He ends up attending MIT and returned to India to launch his own company. The film stands out because it sheds light on the discrimination, bullying, and limited educational opportunities faced by the disabled, even when they have the required aptitude and grades. His dialogue, "Main sirf sapna hi dekh sakta hu," (I can only see in my dreams) encapsulates his relentless pursuit of excellence. It’s a film about a blind man that’ll help you see life from a fresh perspective. 

Lead image credit: T-Series

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