The current buzz on social media is all about 12th Fail, a low-budget Hindi film that has captured people’s imagination.
Given the absence of A-list stars in the cast, it is remarkable that the film boasts an impressive 9.2 rating on International Movie Database (IMDb).
Released in theatres on Oct 27, 12th Fail made its debut on Disney Plus Hotstar on Dec 29, broadening its reach beyond India.
Directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the film is based on the true story of Manoj Kumar Sharma, a young man hailing from a financially strained background determined to become an Indian Police Service officer.
His roots lie in Chambal, a region marked by corruption, even extending to the education system, where cheating in exams is common.
Despite these challenges, Manoj’s father instils in him a commitment to honesty.
To support his family, Manoj and his brother take up odd jobs, encountering their own set of challenges. However, a chance meeting with an honest police officer becomes a turning point for Manoj, inspiring him to dream big.
While a 12th-grade student, Manoj renounces cheating in exams, leading to his failure to progress to the next class – a pivotal moment reflected in the film’s title, 12th Fail.
Undeterred by this setback, he persists and eventually passes the exam through hard work. He heeds his grandmother’s advice and ventures into the city with aspirations of becoming a police officer.
Through unwavering determination, Manoj navigates various obstacles along the way. The movie reaches its pinnacle with a dramatic interview board incident that would decide his fate.
What resonates most with the audience is the film’s powerful message – that a human can triumph over any obstacle through indomitable willpower.
The on-screen portrayal of Manoj has become a symbol of the dreams and struggles faced by millions of underprivileged jobseekers in India, evoking a profound emotional response from viewers.
Vikrant Massey’s portrayal of Manoj is nothing short of brilliant, breathing life into the narrative with his impeccable acting.
Medha Shankar, in the role of Indian Revenue Service officer Shraddha Joshi, Manoj’s lover, adds depth to the storyline.
The supporting cast, including Anant V Joshi as Pritam Pandey and Priyanshu Chatterjee as Deputy Superintendent of Police Dushyant Singh, also deliver outstanding performances.
Bollywood star Alia Bhatt praised the film on Instagram: “One of the most beautiful films I’ve seen in a while! With such fabulous performances. Just too too beautiful!
“Vikrant Massey, you were so spectacular I am in awe! Medha Shankar, the heart and soul of Manoj’s journey, so special and fresh and all things heartwarming! Anantvijay outstanding! And lastly Vidhu Vinod Chopra sir – this film really hits the spot! To the entire cast and crew! Take a bow.”
Earlier this week, actor Hrithik Roshan wrote on X: “Finally saw 12th Fail. It’s a masterclass in filmmaking. Above everything else, I was inspired by the use of sound and sound effects in enhancing the moments. Brilliant performances. Mr Chopra, what a movie! I am deeply inspired by this one.”
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap wrote a lenghty note praising Chopra’s craft: “Probably the best mainstream film I’ve seen in 2023. @vidhuvinodchoprafilms at the age of 71 has crafted a masterpiece out of a simple story of an adamant man wanting to be more than what life gives him.”
Previously, Kamal Haasan, Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor and others stars also praised the film on social media.
Indo-Asian News Service
