New Delhi: At first glance, Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail seems to be a film about the arduous process of preparation for an exam like the UPSC. However, underneath this surface is a narrative about honesty and the struggle to do what is right in a society that is increasingly comfortable with turning a blind eye.
The first thing that stands out with 12th Fail is how different it is from a typical Vidhu Vinod Chopra picture. The film releasing on the theatre today, on October 27, has the straightforward narrative of a 12th fail student who, by force of sheer determination and a never-say-die mentality, manages to pass the UPSC test and become an IPS officer.
Storyline
The film is based on the book of the same name by Anurag Pathak, which was itself inspired by a real tale. It follows Manoj Kumar Sharma, a 12th-grade dropout from Chambal, as he prepares for the difficult Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) test.
He forges chits to use in class, while his father loses his job because of his honesty. Here the narrative of a guy who can’t see a way out of cheating takes place until he meets a person of integrity.
Manoj takes his grandma’s life savings and moves to the city to pursue his goal of becoming a police officer. Manoj’s eventual tutor likens the path to the UPSC to a game of “snakes and ladders” since it is difficult. No matter how far you go, one misstep is all it takes to start again from square one.
Review
12th Fail, starring Vikrant Massey as Manoj, shows that he has accepted low-paying jobs and doesn’t try to sugarcoat anything. A small percentage of applicants do pass the UPSC test each year, but most hopefuls just “restart” and try again the following year. He has conveyed the frailty of the failing, falling, and rising again pupils with ease.
Manoj’s narrative is one of tenacity in the face of hardship, and Vikrant Massey does a fantastic job of capturing the protagonist’s desperation and ferocity. Massey’s performance stands out as the best of the bunch. It’s impossible not to support him since every move looks calculated and well-executed.
#12thFail review: Proficient in conveying multiple emotions through his eyes in a single frame, #VikrantMassey finally gets an opportunity to fly and he soars in #VidhuVinodChopra‘s big-hearted film https://t.co/JAY8omuTlx
— The Hindu Cinema (@TheHinduCinema) October 26, 2023
The film is exciting to watch since it maintains its suspense, confusion, bustle, and speed throughout. Chopra makes sure that every subplot he includes has its own tale and that none of them seem tacked on.
#12thFail opens to glowing reviews. Do indulge! @VVCFilms@ANURAGP87241048https://t.co/6kdYNZEd3B
— Gautam Choubey (@GautamChoubey9) October 27, 2023
Most of the time, stars come in reviews.
But sometimes, reviews come from stars.@ikamalhaasan says, “A film like #12thFail brings back hope to filmmakers like me to confidently go ahead and do what we love most.” ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Fs7NASVBRd— Diptakirti (@diptakirti) October 26, 2023
#12thFail (2023) :
Movie Review –Vikrant Massey Scores Distinction In VVC’s Educational Drama#VidhuVinodChopra #VVC #VikrantMassey #MedhaShankar #SanjayBishnoi #HarishKhanna #JoshiAnantVijay #AnshumanPushkar #PriyanshuChatterjee #VikasDivyakirti
https://t.co/r9qwD6waoZ— $@M (@SAMTHEBESTEST_) October 24, 2023
#12thFail #Review #12Fail is the Celebration of Spirit of Youth Showing Courage in the Face of Adversity ✌️
Must Watch👌
(⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars)
Vidhu Vinod Chopra who is A Master of His Art after a long time comes up with A Biopic Showcasing Realistic Depiction of Struggle,Spirit &… pic.twitter.com/vpUGrx27ST— HEMANT SANGANEE (@HemantSanganee) October 23, 2023
#12thFailReview: Where the majority of students (filmmakers) are failing in exams (Bollywood), #VikrantMassey & #VidhuVinodChopra‘s #12thFail has successfully passed the exams with good grades https://t.co/RMJGVKSceR#ShahRukhKhan #Dunki #Salaar #Prabhas #Animal #Tiger3 #Leo
— Arpeet Gangar (@gangararpeet) October 25, 2023
Just watched 12th Fail
What a brilliant film
A moving and inspiring tale of overcoming adversity and achieving the impossible.@VikrantMassey u r Phenomenal
My rating : ****
Full Review Soon, Stay tuned @TV9Bharatvarsh #12thfail #vikrantmassey #vidhuvinodchopra pic.twitter.com/rNaHVBhAQA— Sonali Naik (@oneanonlysonali) October 23, 2023
12th fail #12thFail ye movie sabhi young को dekhna chahiye ऐसी कहानी पे कभी कभी बनती फिल्म 🔥🔥
— rajestar (@filmiholt) October 25, 2023
#12thfailreview – Vikrant Massey delivers exceptional performance in an emotional and inspiring movie.#panchayiti #news #entertainment #moviehttps://t.co/EgD8KTsavr
— Panchayiti (@PanchayitiMedia) October 26, 2023
The film’s mood, however, makes up for some of the dialogue’s preachiness. However, the music in the background is a major distraction. The music in this piece is too simplistic and repetitive to make an impression.
However, although most of the shots are expertly constructed, the camerawork seems hurried.
Like Chopra’s last box office smash, 3 Idiots, 12th Fail is sure to win over audiences in search of insight into the struggles and emotions experienced by UPSC candidates.
