12th Fail Review

 

Probably the best directed movie by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. A true story, told in a simple manner, it was a delight to experience for a little over two hours. Watched on OTT on Hulu over the 2023 holiday period. 

Story revolved around a simple, naive and honest man named Manish. His transformative journey from being a chambal boy to an IPS officer, was inspiring as well as a cinematic delight to watch. This journey had all the struggles, yet the man had the integrity to deal with the several adverse situations, the integrity and the self-belief; the biggest gift he had in his genes. Story provides the context of how his father loses his job for not taking the bribe and fighting for this cause with his boss and later with the system. 

The lead actor Vikrant Massey finally got a role, and he performed it brilliantly, doing justice to the talent he has. He was ably supported by some of the key characters in the movie. 

The female lead is beautiful and she performed her part exceptionally well. Some of the key scenes that stood out - 

1. The college staff helping all 12th grade students (including Manish)in the chambal village, for them to pass. Although incorrect, it also explained the genuine help the system was providing to these students, so they can end up getting some kind of a small job. The whole system including police was part of this support system. Even better than this was the introduction of the new DPS officer who arrests the principal. This was an eye opener for Manish. Few scenes later, when Manish's brother was unfairly arrested, he goes to the same DPS officer for help. and he helps them, much to everyone's surprises. All the scenes leading to this point were executed superbly! Impressed with this officer, Manish asks him that he also wants to become DPS. The only thing he replies is to stop cheating. Manish takes this literallly. When the whole village got first class by cheating next year, he refuses to cheat and gets third class and was still super happy!. The fundamental integrity lessons from a real life, told in such an entertaining way

2. Manish's grandma gives her entire life savings as cash to Manish, so he can study and become police officer. The entire cash is stolen the time he reaches Gwalier. One loss, lead  to another opportunity, he meets Pandey, who helps not only pay for his lunch, but takes him to Delhi, educating him that DPS is not the end all, but he can aim for IPS.  

3. Manish tells his girl friend Shraddha after she says sorry after several months - thanks for being rude to me. It helped me focus on my responsibilities and goal

4. Shradha gives letter to Manish that she would happily live with him with or without he being a successful IPS officer. The scene was directed well and the timing was perfect - when is already a deputy collector and Manish is yet to clear the interview, that subtly tells the unconditional love she has for Manish.   

5. Manish answers the interviewers - Interviewer asks this is your 4th and last chance. How would you achieve your goal if you do not pass the inteview. Manish answers; that is fine. Goal is to serve the nation and not to be become the IPS officer. If I become IPS officer, its fine, if not, will teach in his school with a very powerful poem that he himself experienced while studying under street lamp- kya hua agar main suraj na ban paya, kam se kam main  diya to ban hi sakta hoon

6. There is a point in the film when Manish's father, his inspiration comes to his son, first time feeling lost and cries that no point in being honest, we won't win. He encourages him stating something like this - kya hua jo hum no jeete, magar haar to hum ....(needs to see the movie again to remember this)