Vikrant Massey's 12th Fail Wins Best Film At National Film Awards: Where To Watch
The 71st National Film Awards were announced with 12th Fail winning Best Feature Film and Vikrant Massey receiving Best Actor.
The winners of the 71st National Film Awards for the year 2023 were officially announced on August 1. Among the most celebrated films was 12th Fail, which received the prestigious Best Feature Film award. The movie also earned Vikrant Massey the Best Actor award, which he shared with Shah Rukh Khan, who was honoured for his performance in Jawan. This marks a significant milestone for Khan, as it is his first National Award in a career spanning over three decades.
12th Fail is a Hindi-language biographical drama inspired by the real-life journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma, who rose from poverty to become an officer in the Indian Police Service (IPS). The film has been written, directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and it captures the struggles and determination of a young man facing societal and financial hurdles to pursue his dream of serving the nation. The film stars Vikrant Massey as Manoj Kumar Sharma, while Medha Shankr plays the role of his wife, Shraddha Joshi Sharma. Other key performances include Anant Joshi, Anshumaan Pushkar and Priyanshu Chatterjee, who bring depth to the story with their strong supporting roles.
Where to watch 12th Fail
For those who haven't yet experienced the powerful journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma, 12th Fail is now available for streaming on Hotstar. The film has resonated deeply with audiences for its inspiring message and relatable portrayal of hardship, making it one of the most talked-about films of the year.
Plot Summary of 12th Fail
Set in a small village in the Chambal region, the story revolves around Manoj Kumar Sharma, a teenager preparing for his 12th-grade exams with the hope of landing a peon's job. In his village, cheating during exams is a widespread practice. However, when a principled police officer, DSP Dushyant Singh, cracks down on cheating, Manoj fails to clear the exams.
Following his failure, Manoj joins his brother Kamlesh in driving a passenger vehicle to earn a living. During their journey, the brothers come into conflict with goons linked to a local politician. They are saved once again by DSP Dushyant Singh, whose honesty and courage deeply influence Manoj. Inspired by Singh, Manoj dreams of becoming a police officer like him.
He manages to clear his exams the following year and initially aspires to become a DSP. His ambition grows as he sets his sights on the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of the toughest competitive exams in the country. The film captures his relentless pursuit, academic struggles, and emotional battles, painting a realistic picture of what it takes to rise from nothing and make it big.
The musical composition for the 12th Fail adds a rich emotional layer to the storytelling. Shantanu Moitra composed the film's music, while lyrics were penned by Swanand Kirkire and Raftaar.
Other Major Winners at the National Awards
Alongside 12th Fail, several other films and artists were honoured at the 71st National Film Awards. Rani Mukerji was recognised as Best Actress for her outstanding performance in Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, a film that portrays a mother's legal battle against a foreign government to reclaim her children.
Vicky Kaushal's Sam Bahadur won in multiple categories, including Best Makeup, Best Costume Design and Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.
In the field of choreography, Vaibhavi Merchant took home the Best Choreography award for her work in Karan Johar's vibrant family drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
Other notable mentions include Adah Sharma's The Kerala Story, Sanya Malhotra's Kathal, Teja Sajja's Hanu-Man, and Ranbir Kapoor's Animal, all of which received acclaim in various categories.
First Published:
August 02, 2025, 10:32 IST
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