Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra on Saturday was the happiest man in the room. His latest directorial, 12th Fail completed 100 days in cinemas—despite currently streaming on OTT. The cast and crew of the film assembled to look back at the movie’s journey and chant together its theme: restart.
Based on a book by Anurag Pathak, 12th Fail chronicled the life of Manoj Kumar Sharma, who overcame extreme poverty to become an IPS officer. The film puts the spotlight on his journey and how his wife, IRS officer Shraddha Joshi, was instrumental in his rise.
In the film, Vikrant Massey played Manoj while Medha Shankar was seen as Shraddha. During a special event to celebrate the success of the film, Vidhu Vinod Chopra was in conversation with Vikrant, who asked him how he reflects on the movie 100 days later.
“100 days ago, in this very screen, we had our first show. When we talk about numbers, Rs 100 cr, now there’s Rs 500 cr, Rs 1,000 cr, Rs 2,000 cr, but to me it boils down to one thing. What is your intention? Why are you making that film? You make an honest film and it can reach those numbers. When I was making the film, I was told by everyone, including my dearest wife (film critic Anupama Chopra), to put it out on OTT!
“She said, ‘Nobody will go to see Vinod! Teri aur Vikrant ki film!’ She told me I don’t know, that I’m not connected with movies (anymore). On top of this, these (trade) agencies were writing that it’ll open at Rs 2 lakhs and do a lifetime business of Rs 30 lakhs! Everyone scared me,” the filmmaker said.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who was addressing a packed hall of film students and media, said he went ahead with 12th Fail as he “believed” in the film and put his own money into producing it, doing its marketing campaign and releasing it.
“It opened very small but that’s ok, because look at where we are?” the filmmaker said as the auditorium broke into applause.
Later, Anupama Chopra, who was also present at the event, was asked to share her thoughts. “I’ve had very little contribution here, it (the success) is of all these people here. But, he’s right, I did say I don’t know who will come to the theatre to see this film. So I’m saying in public that I was wrong and you are right!”
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12th Fail emerged as the surprise hit of 2023 as it clocked Rs 67 cr worldwide – an impressive number coming in times of mighty actioners dominating the big screen. The film opened to widespread critical acclaim, especially for Vikrant Massey’s performance.
The film also earned Vidhu Vinod Chopra appreciation for his direction and writing, with many noting that the veteran filmmaker was back in form with his latest. This was his second film in three years after the 2020 romantic drama Shikara, which was based on the Kashmiri pandit exodus of 1990.
12th Fail was co-written by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Jaskunwar Kohli. Anurag Pathak and Ayush Saxena were credited as associate writers.
