12th Fail: Vidhu Vinod Chopra opens up about his vision for the film that stars Vikrant Massey

After bringing us cinematic gems like Parinda, 1942: A Love Story, Mission Kashmir, the Munnabhai franchise, 3 Idiots, and PK, the producer-director Vidhu Vinod Chopra is directing and producing ‘12th Fail’, adapted from Anurag Pathak’s bestselling novel of the same name.

The film is inspired by the real-life story of IPS Officer Manoj Kumar Sharma and IRS Officer Shraddha Joshi. But ‘12th Fail’ isn’t a biography as much as it is a portrait of the power of one - how one man or one woman with integrity can create seismic change. 

‘12th Fail’ is the first film to be shot in Mukherjee Nagar, New Delhi, the location that has seen the birth of generations of bureaucrats. 

Talking about the film, VVC said, 

“If an honest person is in a position of power, the world can truly change. I have seen that with countless IAS and IPS officers I have come across in the process of writing this film. ’12th Fail’ is a tribute to all of them. If this film can inspire even 10 more officers to strive for honesty, 10 more students to strive for excellence… I will believe I have succeeded.” 

The film is headlined by Vikrant Massey. 

The film is headlined by Vikrant Massey. 

Sharing about that, Vikrant said,

“It’s the tragedy of our times that honesty and sincerity are a rarity. This film is a dedication to all the students who dream, and to all the honest officers who are the backbone of our country and constitution. Working with VVC is a dream come true and a huge challenge since he’s such a thorough director.” 

VVC has wrapped the first schedule of '12th Fail' in Chambal, Agra, and is currently filming the second schedule in Delhi. The film is scheduled for a 2023 Summer release.