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Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra was the happiest man in the room on Saturday. The last address of him, 12th failure completed 100 days in theaters, even though it is currently streaming on OTT. The film’s cast and crew gathered to remember the film’s journey and sing together its theme: reboot.
Based on a book by Anurag Pathak, 12th Fail chronicles the life of Manoj Kumar Sharma, who overcame extreme poverty to become an IPS officer. The film highlights 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 chatted with Vikrant, who asked him how he reflects on the film 100 days later.
Also read | Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th flop becomes highest-rated Indian film on IMDb; beats Oppenheimer and Barbie and secures a world place in 2023
“100 days ago, on this same screen, we had our first show. When we talk about numbers, Rs 100 cr, now there are Rs 500 cr, Rs 1,000 cr, Rs 2,000 cr, but for me it all comes down to one thing. What is your intention? Why are you making that movie? You make an honest movie and it can hit those numbers. When I was making the film, everyone, including my dear wife (film critic Anupama Chopra), told me to release it on OTT.
“She said, ‘No one will go to see Vinod! ‘Teri aur Vikrant ki movie!’ She told me I don’t know, I’m not involved with movies anymore. In addition to this, these (trading) agencies wrote that it would open at Rs 2 lakhs and make a lifetime business of Rs 30 lakhs. “Everyone scared me,” said the filmmaker.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who was addressing a room full of film and media students, said he went ahead with 12th Fail because 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 okay, because look where we are.” said the filmmaker as the audience broke into applause.
Later, Anupama Chopra, who was also present at the event, was asked to share her opinion. “I have had very little contribution here, it is (the success) of all these people here. But you’re right, I said I don’t know who will come to the theater to see this movie. So I say in public that I was wrong and you are right!
Also read | Anurag Kashyap praises Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th flop: “A filmmaker at the top of his storytelling…”
12th Fail emerged as the surprise hit of 2023 as it recorded Rs 67 cr worldwide, an impressive figure in times when powerful action actors dominate the silver screen. The film opened to widespread critical praise, especially for Vikrant Massey’s performance.
The film also earned Vidhu Vinod Chopra recognition for his direction and writing, with many noticing that the veteran filmmaker was back on form with his latest. This was his second film in three years after the 2020 romantic drama Shikara, which was based on the 1990 Kashmiri Pandit exodus.
12th Fail was co-written by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Jaskunwar Kohli. Anurag Pathak and Ayush Saxena were credited as associate writers.