← Back to results
12th Fail
2023 146 min India
★8.3
Drama
Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Trailers
EN
Teaser
Description
Based on the true story of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, 12th Fail sheds limelight on fearlessly embracing the idea of restarting the academic journey despite the setbacks and challenges and reclaiming one's destiny at a place where millions of students attempt the world's toughest competitive exam: UPSC.
Budget:
$2.4M
Worldwide:
$8.3M
Starring
Vikrant Massey
Actor
Medha Shankr
Actor
Anant Joshi
Actor
Awards
31 wins & 40 nominations total
Key opinion
12th Fail is widely acclaimed as an authentic and inspiring biographical drama that eschews standard Bollywood tropes to examine the struggles of India's education system. The film is anchored by strong performances and a narrative that effectively balances individual resilience with sharp societal critique.
| Acting | Vikrant Massey delivers a deeply empathetic and career-defining performance that grounds the protagonist's emotional journey. | |
| The narrative serves as a poignant and timely critique of India's systemic issues, including corruption, poverty, and the pressures of the education crisis. | ||
| Direction | Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s direction succeeds in steering the film away from conventional Bollywood clichés, favoring a more grounded and realistic storytelling approach. | |
| Acting | The supporting cast, including Medha Shankar and Priyanshu Chatterjee, provides dignified performances that effectively bolster the themes of integrity and devotion. |