INTRODUCTION
A boy from Chambal leaves his family and village behind to become IPS officer. On a difficult route is an unthinkable struggle that will either achieve his purpose of life or break him and his dreams ending up returning to his family without a uniform.
12th Fail is adapted from Anurag Pathak‘s book with the same title that he published in 2019. It is a non-fiction biography of Manoj Kumar Sharma who set an example of determination and courage from extreme poverty to become the IPS officer as described before.
I think this was about time that one of the finest filmmakers of Bollywood Vidhu Vinod Chopra reintroduced us as a director. The last couple of generations have mostly known him to have produced the most beloved Munna Bhai series and 3 Idiots but film buffs like me will always remember that this man blessed us with Khamosh, Parinda, and 1942: A Love Story. His Parinda is one of my 4 all-time favorites and one of the very few to whom I have given my highest rating 9.5.
So I am excited that his 12th Fail is a sleeper-hit and after watching it, I know all the reasons of the film being exceptionally so well. So read me out.
REVIEW
One of the most impressive aspects of the film is the art of simplicity. The workload of the script has no complexity nor is it incohesive. From the village days to Manoj’s institute days, nothing looks exaggerated, unnatural, or profusely stereotypical. In fact, there is a fair balance of black comedy and seriousness. There are some classic touches of elements that reminds us of being cultured and sticking to traditions.
Observe Manoj’s mother who after being furious over the crisis runs towards her husband to hand him his food, covers her head, and touches his feet. I haven’t watched such importance of beautiful tradition in the films in a while. This was common in films forty years ago.
The product is a fabulous raw, the content is original, watching this film is exciting. 12th Fail doesn’t look like a reel but real. The film is very related and whoever watches it, will grow on them. Just like Gauri bhayya’s tution center will make most of us remember our time. A private class in a very small apartment with the tutor on the mattress teaching dozens of students spread from his room to the corridor while sitting on the floor.
When Manoj passes the prelims, I actually thought that when he calls to his family, someone at his home may have passed away. But then, it would have been predictable and typically dramatic. Perhaps, no one died in reality when the real Manoj called.
VIDHUGRAPHY
Vidhu Chopra takes a lot of care in giving some captivating shots. My favorite shot was when the brothers were driving the tractor and the camera drone zoomed out when the police stopped them for arresting. The whole walk of DSP Dushyant and the school principal from the class to the latter’s office is a one-shot scene. It began with honey talk and ended with failed bribery. After the police arrests the principal and leaves the school, you observe all the dark-brown skinned uniformed students spectating. For once, you cannot notice at where Manoj is standing.
The director’s vision distinguishes in brilliance depending on how he is willing to present a shot. There are numerous gathering and crowd of students and Manoj is mixed with them. Nowhere is his seated in the class in order. He is not taking the center stage for his being the leading character. Equaling him with the others signifies that he is one of the million stories fighting for their dreams.
CHARACTERS – MANOJ
This show is solely run by Vikrant Massey who plays Manoj, the guy who keeps failing the tests but never gives up. There comes a time in the celebrity’s life when a particular work becomes the highlight of the career. Vikrant has several good performances but I think he has found the one that he will be best remembered for. I have never watched him act so splendidly as in 12th Fail. In my opinion, his performance in one of his earliest films “A Death in the Gunj” was his best until this occurred.
Observe him when he begs for help to the DSP and shows his desperation. Also notice him, when his bag is stolen and he is looking here and there, and getting lump in his throat. And watch his marvelous reaction when he eventually passes. This film is gifted with his many facial performances, check him when he stands up to request Gauri bhayya for some work while he takes his time in humbleness.
CHARACTERS – GAURI
The role of Gauri bhayya played by Anshumaan Pushkar heavily reminded me of Kota Factory‘s Jeetu bhayya. Same energy, same optimism.
Gauri’s speech was worth attentive. Straight up facts spoken. 12th fail has that distinctive motivation that propels you to never give up. You can feel that blood pumping when Gauri cheers up Manoj after failing and rises his voice RESTART. Thanks to this film that restart now is a motivational word. Before that, restart was always annoying especially for the console gamers.
CHARACTERS – SHRADDHA
Although there is immense importance of Shraddha because not just that she is the heroine of the film but like Manoj, she also became the officer. Medha Shankar did a fair job but there must have been something about her character to bring it to audience instead of only being Manoj’s love interest. Just like recently in Maestro, the film was based on the maestro but also gave justice and importance to his wife.
CHARACTERS – PRITAM
Talking about giving importance, Pritam’s character, played by Anant V Joshi, had more growth than Shraddha. Another UPSC aspirant who cannot afford disappointing his family which was clearly visible in his phone calls with his father. Those calls became intense with time, every attempt he failed. Pritam was shown so lost in the call that he could not be disturbed while talking; and that’s how he lost a girlfriend. With repeated failures and losing a girlfriend, he dropped his frustration on Manoj and almost jeopardized the other relation.
I like how Vidhu used this character as an opposite case to Manoj. Someone who had money, phone, girlfriend, money enough to drink but was lazy to struggle for the test. He regretted that he couldn’t be as dedicated as Manoj. It was Pritam who found him and cleared the tests before him. And that brought jealousy and made him look ignored.
CHARACTERS – DUSHYANT
The character of DSP Dushyant Singh played by Priyanshu laid the foundation of Manoj’s dream as his staunch loyalty with work set his mind to become ISP officer. The character disappeared after the start and I sensed that he will return for a very important scene.
He did return but I think it was not an ideal scene as it could have been when Manoj arrives at a police station to release his friend. In the scene, there is an argument between Manoj and the inspector, and if you have watched the film, you will note that a senior officer is noticing him from his back since he arrived to the station. When Manoj wins the argument, that man steps in and walks slowly towards him. But to my surprise, that man was someone else. This could have been so heartfelt if this would be Dushyant observing Manoj in a new avatar.
ACCURACY/AUTHENTICITY
I have neither read the book nor I have any knowledge of the minor details about Manoj and his wife Shraddha Joshi like if Manoj cleaned toilets and worked on the flour or if one of their friends actually misinformed Shraddha’s father. Accuracy is important and I understand the need of dramatizing and taking liberty where necessary. But what’s important are the bullet highlights. Was Manoj poor and left the village to become the officer? Yes, he did. Did Manoj and Shraddha become officers? They did. Did Manoj fail the tests again and again? He did.
Vidhu Chopra also worked on the authenticity of the film and gave a real feel. The teacher in the class is the actual UPSC teacher, Vikas Divyakriti. In fact, Vikrant confirms that some junior UPSC aspirants get to play their roles. When Shraddha is dared to sing, she actually sings instead of using a playback singer. Moreover, the real Manoj and Shraddha were sitting on the other table. The extent of Manoj’s poor background can be traced from his father’s briefcase.
12th Fail is one of those rare Bollywood films where the background score was not overused. And the usage was mostly Indian classic giving a more Indian sophisticated touch. And the love chemistry has always been Vidhu’s gem of film making.
CLOSING REMARKS
12th Fail doesn’t look like a typical Bollywood film but some international project by some multiple European or American production companies working together on a project based in India.
In the world of Indian cinema, between the territories of Baahubali, RRR, Tiger, Pathaan, Animal, follow the route of 12th Fail. Because this is called a cinematic accomplishment. This is a kind of film which attracts the global audience who are enthusiastic about watching a well-crafted film. This is the content India is badly in need of making. This is how you make a bio drama in India. This is one of the very few Indian films that has the potential to reach the Oscar.
12th Fail is the tale of struggle and the most ideal storytelling about the magnitude of hard work that paid off well. 12th Fail is an inspiration for all the generations. If someone feels low and needs their spirits to lift, recommend them 12th Fail.
RATING 9/10
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Sami Naik | Film Critic 