Vikrant Massey wins National Award for 12th Fail, earns Best Actor honour for his powerful role as an aspiring IPS officer
From Balika Vadhu to Breaking Through
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Shah Rukh Khan bags his career's first National Film Award for 'Jawan'
When the 71st National Film Awards were announced on August 1, two names stood tall—Shah Rukh Khan, the undisputed Badshah of Bollywood , and Vikrant Massey , the boy-next-door who made it big with humility, grit and talent. While Shah Rukh's win for Jawan was historic—his first-ever National Award in a 30-year career—it was Massey's name that stirred hearts.He won for 12th Fail Vidhu Vinod Chopra 's quietly powerful biographical drama about IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma 's real-life journey from failure to fulfilment. The performance had already earned him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor earlier this year. But the National Award cements Vikrant Massey's place in the big league—and makes his win all the more meaningful because, like his character, he too defied the odds.In 12th Fail, Massey embodies Manoj Kumar Sharma, a Chambal native who once failed his 12th exams and dreamed of becoming a peon. After witnessing a courageous police officer break a cheating racket, Manoj finds a role model and dares to dream bigger—to wear the same uniform. His journey takes him through crushing poverty, rejection, and the daunting world of UPSC exams, yet he endures with quiet determination.According to the reports the film went on to become a sleeper hit, grossing over ₹69 crore globally on a modest ₹20 crore budget.It's easy to forget that Vikrant Massey once played supporting roles in shows like Balika Vadhu and Qubool Hai, or that his Bollywood journey began with brief roles in Lootera, Half Girlfriend, and Dil Dhadakne Do. But it was Konkona Sen Sharma's A Death in the Gunj in 2017 that gave him his first major lead and drew attention to his nuance and screen presence.Over the years, Massey became a steady presence in OTT hits like Mirzapur, Criminal Justice and Broken But Beautiful, before making his mark with feature films such as Chhapaak, Haseen Dillruba and Love Hostel. The role of Manoj Kumar Sharma, however, seems to have unlocked a new dimension of his craft.12th Fail, based on Anurag Pathak's 2019 non-fiction book, was directed, written and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The film resonated widely with students, civil service aspirants and every Indian who's ever failed and tried again. Its realistic depiction of systemic challenges and personal perseverance gave it both relevance and emotional weight.In the months following 12th Fail, Massey experimented with darker roles—a crime reporter in Blackout, a psychopath in Sector 36, and a photojournalist in The Sabarmati Report. Reviews were mixed, but his commitment to character remained consistent. His latest release, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, saw him as a visually impaired musician, again testing the boundaries of his craft.In December 2024, he announced a brief career break to focus on his family. But 2025 started with new releases and now, a National Award—a poetic full circle for an actor who has never chased stardom, only sincerity.
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