EXCLUSIVE: Vikrant Massey Reflects On His National Award-Winning Performance In 12th Fail; Says, “The Clasping Of The Knee… That Just Happened Automatically”

As 12th Fail completes three years of its theatrical release, Vikrant Massey’s portrayal of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma continues to resonate with audiences thanks to its emotional depth and authenticity. Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the film struck an emotional chord with viewers through its powerful depiction of perseverance, resilience, and the determination to overcome life’s challenges.

While Vikrant’s performance also earned him his first National Film Award for Best Actor, do you know all that went into bring Manoj to life? In an exclusive interaction, Vikrant got candid about his performance in the film, how he brought authenticity to it and much more. Read on to know all he said.

Vikrant Massey: By The Time We Reached The Result Sequence, I Had Gone Through The Entire Grind

One of the film’s most moving moments is when Manoj finally clears the UPSC examination and breaks down, as years of struggle and uncertainty give way to relief. Reflecting on how he approached the scene, Vikrant Massey credited the director and the decision to shoot much of the film in sequence. He said, “A lot of it actually goes to the director of the film, (Vidhu Vinod) Chopra sir.”

Explaining how the journey leading up to the scene shaped his performance, Vikrant shared, “So, what we actually did was… nearly 85% of the film was shot in sequence. So, by the time we reached the result sequence, I had actually gone through the entire grind. So, I had already shot for more than a month and, as I said, I prepped quite a lot.”

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He further reflected on the emotions behind the moment, saying, “But I feel that it was the burden, it was also his last attempt. The clasping of the knee that happened, it just happened automatically.”

Vikrant: I’m Not A Trained Actor, So I Observe, I Journal & It Helps Me

Vikrant also highlighted a dialogue that captures the character’s fighting spirit, recalling Manoj’s words about mountaineers Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Ang Rita. “Everyone knows about Edmund Hillary, but nobody knows about Sherpa Ang Rita. He was the first person to reach Mount Everest without an oxygen cylinder. And I, too, have made it this far without an oxygen cylinder, and that too, barefoot.”

Speaking about his approach to acting, Vikrant added, “I am not a trained actor, so I observe, I journal a lot. So, I go back to my journal for specific parts, and I think it kind of helps me.”

Looking ahead, Vikrant is set to take on another real-life personality in White, an upcoming biopic in which he will portray spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. As 12th Fail marks three years, his acclaimed performance continues to serve as a reminder of the power of persistence and the impact of stories rooted in real-life struggles.

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Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Vikrant Massey Wants To Play Characters Who Punches Goons ‘Left, Right And Centre’; Shares, “I Don’t Want To Bracket Myself”

Grinell Jacinto

With nearly 10 years of experience, Grinell Esther Jacinto is the Desk Head of Bollywood Bubble. Her interests lie in everything that is kaleshi and she loves to dig deeper into the lives of B-town actors. She has a problem though – she loves horror films but will have chills the minute the theatres lights dims. She’s previously worked with Koimoi, UrbanAsian and SpotboyE.