A recent cinematic gem, titled ’12th Fail’ and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, has received plaudits from critics and audiences alike. Among the voices celebrating the film is Bollywood’s outspoken talent, Kangana Ranaut, who has expressed immense appreciation for lead actor Vikrant Massey’s sterling performance in the movie. The film, which is now available on Disney+Hotstar after its successful run in theaters, features Massey and Medha Shankar in pivotal roles and tells a story of perseverance and hope.
In what appears to have been an emotionally stirring experience, Kangana Ranaut took to Instagram to share her thoughts about the movie. Posting a poster of ’12th Fail’ to her stories, she captioned it with an admission of how the film moved her, writing, “What a terrific film. Coming from Hindi medium myself belonging to a rural village and being a general caste student for entry tests without reservations in my school years, I was weeping throughout the film, ufff never cried so much in a flight, my co-passengers were stealing concerned glances at me, I am embarrassed.”
Continuing her praise for the craft behind the film, in a subsequent story Kangana remarked on the director’s impact on her and hailed the leading man’s acting gifts. She shared, “Vidhu sir has won my heart all over again, Vikrant Massey is beyond amazing!! In his coming years he might just fill the void Irfan Khan saab left behind…salutations to your talent dear one.”
Inspired by Anurag Pathak’s book, which shares the same name as the film, ’12th Fail’ chronicles the remarkable journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma, who rose from adversity to become an Indian Police Service officer. It delves into the poignant struggles faced by millions of candidates who embark on the daunting challenge of the UPSC entrance examination.
Talking about the preparation for his role, actor Vikrant Massey conveyed in an interview with ANI that his character demanded significant physical transformation and portrayed a reality that’s stark and powerful. He said, “The movie is very typical Vidhu Vinod Chopra movie which is based on hard reality and is a very hard-hitting film. The role was very challenging. I had to lose weight and darken my skin.”
The film’s reception wasn’t limited only to praise from Kangana Ranaut, as other notable figures from the Indian film industry, including Kamal Haasan, Rishabh Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Farhan Akhtar, and Anil Kapoor, also commended the powerful narrative and compelling performances. ’12th Fail’ made its theatrical debut on October 27, facing box office competition from Kangana’s own film ‘Tejas’.
With the buzz of ’12th Fail’ still in the air, Kangana Ranaut herself is gearing up for her next acting endeavor titled ‘Emergency’, which also signifies her directorial debut. Meanwhile, Vikrant Massey, whose journey began in television dramas such as ‘Balika Vadhu’ and ‘Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo’, and continued with impactful roles in films like ‘Lootera’ and popular web series ‘Mirzapur’, ‘Broken But Beautiful’ and ‘Criminal Justice’, is set to continue captivating audiences. He is slated to appear in the sequel to ‘Haseen Dilruba’, aptly named ‘Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba’, where he will no doubt bring the depth and charisma that has now become synonymous with his rising stardom.
The narrative of ’12th Fail’ and the performances therein have struck a chord with viewers, demonstrating the power of cinema to reflect the human spirit’s ability to triumph against the odds. With each accolade, the film cements its place as a noteworthy release, and in doing so, celebrates the emerging talent of Vikrant Massey, who is poised to carve out his own niche in the pantheon of great Indian actors.
