The cultural fabric of Baramulla, Jammu, and Kashmir has been vividly embroidered with the grand reopening of Jadooz Cinema after a silence that spanned 33 enduring years. Marking its historic revival, it was ’12th Fail’, a poignant and evocative film directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, that had the honor of being the first to grace the screen in this much-celebrated comeback. Minga Sherpa, the Lieutenant Governor of Baramulla, played a formal role in reintroducing the cinema hall to the public eye, heralding a new era of entertainment and community engagement.
The cinematic undertaking, ’12th Fail’, has garnered impassioned responses and critical acclaim, boasting an impressive IMDb score of 9.2 out of 10. The film intricately explores the arduous journey of aspirants facing the UPSC entrance examination, a relentless challenge encountered by millions. Yet, it transcends the mere recounting of an exam narrative by igniting a powerful message: to embrace failure not as a defeat, but as a catalyst for renewal and undeterred perseverance. Available in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the film’s presence has continued to captivate audiences in theaters nationwide.
In a landmark achievement, the Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar-starrer recently celebrated the completion of 100 triumphant days on the silver screen. A commemorative event was organized to honor this milestone, where spirited conversations about the film’s journey and the industry’s commercial dynamics took place. Deconstructing the conventional fixation on box office earnings, Vidhu Vinod Chopra reflected on the prevailing obsession with gargantuan figures. He emphasized a core principle often lost in the race for financial success: the purity of intention behind filmmaking. Despite facing skepticism—ranging from personal doubts cast by his wife, esteemed film critic Anupama Chopra, to grim predictions from trade analysts—the film’s triumph stands as a testament to the virtue of sincerity in art.
Vikrant Massey, with remarkable candor, articulated how ’12th Fail’ represented a pivotal moment in his artistic career. Approached by Chopra to embody the character of Manoj, Massey faced the stark reminder of his relative obscurity in the broader cinematic landscape. This project invited him not only to reassume his role as an actor but also to embark on a transformative process of learning and unlearning. His immersive experience of 2.5 years on set under Chopra’s mentorship was not merely a professional endeavor but a daily reinvention of his craft and self.
The story of ’12th Fail’ and its debut at Jadooz Cinema in Baramulla is far more than a tale of box office figures or the resurgence of a single film. It is a narrative of hope, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of artistic expression that continues to thrive even in the face of profound adversity. The re-opening of Jadooz Cinema is emblematic of the broader revival of cultural spaces that have long awaited their curtain call. It is a symbol of progress, a beacon for aspiring artists, and a testament to the power of community and storytelling in knitting together the fabric of society.
Such occasions remind us that the true measure of a film’s success lies not only in the revenue it generates but also in the hearts it touches and the minds it inspires. As ’12th Fail’ continues its cinematic journey, it carries with it the aspirations of many and serves as a reminder that every ending can be the prelude to a new and glorious beginning.
