Film:
12th Fail

12th Fail Duration: 2 hours 27 minutes

Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra

Starcast: Vikrant Massey, Medha Shankar, Anant Vijay Joshi, Anshumaan Pushkar and Priyanshu Chatterjee

Platform: Theatres

12TH FAIL REVIEW

Remember Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s blockbuster 3 Idiots? The movie shaped many students in real life and motivated them to be whatever their heart desires to be. His recent film 12th Fail is on similar lines and talks about a very impactful subject – the idea of not giving up and restarting each time you feel you failed in life. Starring Vikrant Massey as IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma, the film also features Medha Shankar, Anant Vijay Joshi, Sam Mohan and Priyanshu Chatterjee.

Based on a true story, 12th Fail focuses on the struggles of the millions of students who attempt the UPSC entrance exam. But at the same time, it goes beyond that one exam and encourages people to not lose heart in the face of failure and to restart. Here’s the 12th Fail review for you!

Watch the trailer while reading 12th Fail review:

12th FAIL STORYLINE

12th Fail is an incredible, inspiring real-life story of a boy from Chambal who aims to achieve an impossible dream of passing the world’s toughest civil services entrance exam, that of the Union Public Service Commission. The film introduces us to an honest DSP Dashwant Singh (Priyanshu Chatterjee) who nabs the principal who allows students to cheat in Board exams in a small village in Chambal. 12th class student Manoj Kumar Sharma (Vikrant Massey) is inspired by the DSP and decides to quit cheating. He now has just one dream – to become an honest officer just like Dashwant Singh. With his grandmother’s savings, he leaves for Gwalior to become a DSP.

But things don’t go as planned and Manoj ends up losing his bag with all his belongings and money at Gawalior bus stop. That’s where he meets Pandey bhaiya (Anant Vijay Joshi) who tells him about going to Delhi and preparing for IPS exams. Unaware of what that even means, Manoj just follows along because he wants to become a big officer someday. Then begins the drama. Determined, the sweet-smiling Manoj tries to overcome his impoverished background. He remembers his promise to his grandmother to return to his village in a ‘wardi.’

Under the guidance of his mentor, Gauri Bhaiya (Anshumaan Pushkar) and support from his girlfriend Shraddha (Medha Shankar), Manoj gives his all to prepare for the civil services exam. But his journey is far from being an easy one. In fact, it’s one of the most difficult things to do – not only does Manoj have to study for his IPS exams but also do odd part-time jobs to support his family financially. How he overcomes the struggling days and achieves his final goal is what makes the film an inspiring watch.

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PERFORMANCES

Vikrant Massey walks, talks and breathes like the real-life Manoj. Is there anything this talented man caanot do as an actor? I don’t think so. Vikrant as Manoj has to endure brownface makeup as he is meant to be poor, starving and not urban and suave. He is faithful to his character and performs fervently. His expressions in the film are so realistic and heartwarming that he will leave you in tears quite a few times.

The supporting cast’s performance is the backbone of the movie. Be it Anshumaan Pushkar’s impactful performance of Medha Shankar’s sweet role, each and every actor shines in 12th Fail. Anant Vijay Joshi and Priyanshu Chatterjee lend good support to the movie.

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TECHNICAL ASPECT

Vidhu Vinod Chopra has done a commendable job with the writing and direction. His storytelling is near-perfect in 12th Fail. Rangarajan Ramabadran’s cinematography is as realistic as it gets. Be it Chambal or Delhi, he has done full justice with the lens. Editor Jaskunwar Kohli’s editing, however, could have been crisp. Shantanu Moitra’s music is inspiring an matches the tone of the movie.

WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT THE VIDHU VINOD CHOPRA DIRECTORIAL

Delivers an important message: 12th Fail is not your regular inspirational movie. It delivers a very important message – to restart. The film teaches us about how when life gives you the worst time, you don’t lose hope and keep working towards your final goal. It talks about motivation, faith and passion in a very impactful manner.

Execution: Manoj Kumar Sharma’s moving story is not new to us but the way the makers have showcased it in 12th Fail is praiseworthy. From direction to writing to casting and acting, everything in in place in the film.

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DRAWBACKS

Length: It’s disappointing to see such great stories being stretched in cinema halls. 12th Fail could have been easily wrapped in 2 hours but some parts in the film just feel dragged and boring. In some scenes, I just simply lost interest.

CONCLUSION

12th Fail is worth a watch, for sure. It is Vikrant Massey’s honesty as an actor and Vidhu Vinod Chopra sensibility as a filmmaker that make it a hit. This tale of an underdog hero deserves appreciation and the audience’s love and we definitely need more realistic films like this in our cinema.

Also Read: 12th Fail: Vikrant Massey & team revisit Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar once again after shooting the movie, here’s why

Rashita Sahni

I make celebrities talk, laugh & spill the tea!
Film & Fashion Journalist | Bombay