12th Fail Sets A New Benchmark In Indian Cinema
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Drawing inspiration from the real-life story of Manoj Kumar Sharma, an aspiring IPS officer, “12th fail” navigates the challenging terrain of India’s education system and societal struggles with a sincerity that sets it apart.
“12th Fail” begins with Manoj’s modest aspirations, planning to secure a position as an office peon after his 12th board exams. However, a twist of fate, orchestrated by an honest cop played by Priyanshu Chatterjee, changes the trajectory of Manoj’s life.
The entire batch fails due to the cop’s commitment to eliminating cheating, serving as a wake-up call for Manoj and others who find themselves at the mercy of a flawed system.
As Manoj sets his sights on becoming a police officer, the audience is taken on a rollercoaster ride through his struggles and triumphs.
The narrative strikes a chord by exploring societal issues that act as barriers for individuals like Manoj, shedding light on the stark realities of India’s hinterland.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s directorial approach is reminiscent of a seasoned craftsman. The film departs from his earlier works, presenting extensive readings and rehearsals that translate into long, natural shots reminiscent of a play.
Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra had initially intended to incorporate the music of Pather Panchali into the film. However, he confessed, “It looked wonderful. But I don’t have the courage.”
Composer Shantanu Moitra spent two and a half months working on the film’s background score using only three instruments: Sitar, Sarod and the Flute; specifically because that’s what Ravi Shankar used in Pather Panchali.
However, they felt something was off after all that work. The sitar they initially used was too modern. “It didn’t make the same music,” said Vidhu Vinod Chopra.
So, Shantanu spent a week searching for the “right” sitar and eventually found a 50-year-old one. They then re-recorded the entire score.
“Probably the best mainstream film I’ve seen in 2023. A masterpiece out of a simple story of an adamant man wanting to be more than what life gives him. He goes and takes what he wants and how.” wrote Anurag Kashyap.
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