Cast: Vikrant Massey, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Anant Joshi, Anshuman Pushkar, Harish Khanna
Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: In a world where success stories often overshadow the struggles behind them, films like ’12th Fail’ stand out for illuminating the journeys of the unsaid. Directed with finesse by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, this movie serves as a tight reminder that sometimes the most compelling tales come from the ones society tends to disregard. It’s a narrative about the overlooked, and the underestimated, beautifully underscoring the resilience of the human spirit. By capturing the essence of such profound stories, Vidhu Vinod Chopra invites the audience to find beauty and inspiration in adversity, challenging our preconceptions of success and failure.
Adapted from Anurag Pathak’s novel, the film recounts the journey of Manoj, a 12th dropout from Chambal. Despite his academic setbacks, he’s determined to crack UPSC, India’s toughest exam. Through Manoj’s eyes, played impeccably by Vikrant Massey, the audience witnesses the harsh realities of the Indian education system. We see schools encouraging cheating just so students can clear exams and secure some low-paying jobs.
Vidhu Chopra is known for making movies that show life as it really is, without adding any extra drama or sparkle. In his films, you’ll see real feelings, whether it’s someone feeling sad, failing at something, feeling happy, or gaining confidence. One of the main ideas in his film is the idea of ‘restart’. It’s like when you fall down, but you decide to get back up and try again. This idea is shown again and again in the movie. It reminds viewers that even when things go wrong, it’s okay to start over and give it another try. This simple yet powerful message stays with you long after the movie ends, making you think about your own life and the times you chose to keep going. It’s a gentle reminder that there’s always hope and a chance to try again, no matter how many times we might fail or face challenges.
The movie throws light on the flaws in our education, showing how corrupt practices are normalized. However, an encounter with DSP Dushyant Singh, played by Priyanshu Chatterjee, sparks a change in Manoj. It’s heart-wrenching to watch as Manoj chases his dream, encountering daily challenges in Delhi’s bustling Mukherjee Nagar.
Performance
Vikrant Massey truly brings the movie ’12th Fail’ to life. He gets into the skin of Manoj and does an amazing job showing his change from a young, naive boy to someone who is determined to pass the very tough UPSC exam. The way he acts makes you really feel and understand what Manoj is going through. It’s so powerful and well-done that when you finish watching the movie, you can’t forget his performance. It sticks in your mind because of how real and touching it was.
There are many smaller stories within the main story, and each one is detailed and important. For example, there’s a story about Manoj’s friend Pandey and another about his mentor, Gauri bhaiya. These stories aren’t just added for no reason; they help us understand the main story better. Vidhu Chopra has made sure that every character, big or small, is shown in a real and honest way, making the movie feel deep and genuine. With a runtime of 147 minutes, Vidhu Chopra ensures ’12th Fail’ is always gripping. The movie keeps you interested from start to finish.
Simplistic yet impactful dialogues combined with a narrative that beautifully highlights the struggles of UPSC students and flaws in the education system make ’12th Fail’ a compelling watch. Vidhu Chopra, who previously won audiences over with ‘3 Idiots’, achieves it again with this heartfelt tale.
Last Words
I remember watching an interview of Vidhu Chopra and seeing him talking with all the sparkle in his eyes about the movie he has made and telling the other person that ‘this is MY film’. And after I have watched the film, trust me when I say, this film feels very personal to Vidhu Vinod Chopra and many others like You and Me. It’s definitely a must-watch!
-By Jeet Pasad.