Writer/Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Starring: Vikrant Massey, Medha Shankr and Anant Josh
‘A Captivating Period Piece’
Not many actors in Bollywood have created a legacy as strong as Vikrant Massey. Ever since his rise to fame in the 2020’s, Massey has become a celebrated icon in Bollywood. Whether it’s failing students, doomed lovers or historical figures, Massey has played an incredible range of characters. Arguably, his finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. Massey has never been afraid to take risks taking on characters that aren’t often likeable. By his abilities to portray strong characters which are compelling, Massey has left behind an enduring legacy that’s lasting. Throughout an illustrious career, Massey has starred in several memorable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Massey and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “12th Fail” definitely stands out as being his most meaningful movie. Released in 2023, Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s film offered a bold glimpse at India’s problematic educational system. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engaging storytelling and bold performances, it’s an exceptional Bollywood education drama. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Vikrant Massey, who embodies a young IPS officer seeking to conquer poverty. Ultimately, what makes “12th Fail” a masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike most films about education in India, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A breathtaking Bollywood masterpiece about education, there are several reasons why “12th Fail” is a movie that’s definitely worth watching.
“12th Fail” tells the true tale of an IPS officer with a strong desire to succeed rather than fail. Vikrant Massey portrays Manoj Kumar Sharma, an ambitious man with dreams of achieving academic prosperity. Despite his poverty-stricken upbringing, Manoj has had a strong desire to achieve a high academic standing. When he’s given a rare chance to compete in India’s toughest exam, Manoj is rewarded an opportunity to make his dream come true. However, Manoj’s dreams come in danger when he discovers consequences of a profession that entails pressure. Facing one fail after another, Manoj wonders if it’s possible for him to attain success in exams where all the odds are stacked against his favour. Experiencing a dilemma, Manoj soon discovers the unjust nature of education in India.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra is interested in stories of poverty in India. A legendary Bollywood filmmaker, Chopra has often made brilliant movies about poverty-stricken individuals in danger. His iconic film “Parinda” offered a portrait of criminals struggling to make ends meet in India. With “12th Fail”, however, the filmmaker made his first educational drama. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempts to capture the hardships faced by students in India’s education system but he succeeded tremendously. Using bold cinematography, Chopra captures an ambitious student on a journey to overcome the barriers of poverty. Evoking Rajkumar Hirani’s “3 Idiots”, Chopra effectively uses montages to capture lives of students under pressure to succeed in a tough education system. For instance, the montages elevate the fail scene. During this intense scene, Manoj is heartbroken when he fails an exam continuously one time after another. Using stunning montages, Chopra constructs a portrait of education which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques. As Zoya Akhtar’s “Dil Dhadakne Do” proved clearly, montages enhance Bollywood films about dysfunctional families. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Chopra captures tensions that competitive students are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “12th Fail” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive movies ever made about Indian education. Emulating Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par”, Chopra effectively employs costumes to showcase journey of a poverty-stricken boy in India. Throughout the movie, Manoj’s costumes show his transformation from an impoverished student into a wealthy figure. For instance, costumes enhance the job interview scene. During this captivating scene, Manoj delivers a profound interview for a job dressed up in a professional attire. Through stunning costumes, Chopra crafts a portrayal of education which is engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a painful burden students bear. Using stunning production, Chopra honours India’s education.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “12th Fail” is a Bollywood movie about the education system that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and expertly uses monologues to capture tensions endured by IPS students. For instance, the monologues enhance the failure scene. During this bold scene, Manoj delivers a heartfelt speech to express frustration with India’s educational system. Through captivating monologues, Chopra creates a portrait of education that audiences can relate to. Monologues are a complex technique to use in most movies. As Mohit Suri’s “Half Girlfriend” suggested, monologues enhance Bollywood romantic comedies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a brilliant screenplay, Chopra captures painful realities of India’s education today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Vikrant Massey delivers one of his greatest performances as Manoj. Massey achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “12th Fail”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a young student that seeks success in a competitive exam but he pulls it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: charming, bold and unforgettable in his most heartfelt role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentment experienced by a student seeking success in competitions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Massey, the supporting cast is also stellar and worthy of appreciation. Medha Shankr is magnificent, bringing charisma toward a female student seeking success in a tough exam in India. Anant Joshi is astonishing, capturing the strong personality of a young student that seeks success in a tough exam causing adversity. Lastly, Harish Khanna is memorable. As a school professor, he brings emotion to the movie.
Finally, “12th Fail” would earn appreciation of everyone capturing an education system where students commonly fail. Unlike most Bollywood movies about education, the film tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It discusses relatable themes including education, mental health and grief that will resonate among everyone. Viewers are not required to be familiar with India’s education system to enjoy it. Therefore, “12th Fail” is one of those rare Bollywood movies which everyone will adore.
Fans of Vikrant Massey will absolutely enjoy “12th Fail” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A breathtaking Bollywood education drama, it honours an actor that’s beloved in India.
A powerful portrait of painful tensions that are faced by IPS officers seeking success in education, it’s a brilliant reminder about an Indian actor that has built a bold reputation through his ability to portray larger than life characters in unforgettable movies that are absolutely without a single doubt worthy of celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 