Does Vikrant Massey's '12th Fail' misguide students by showing a hero's triumph in the UPSC exams?

Vikrant Massey’s 12th Fail that was directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra has done wonders at the box-office, with critics, fans, and celebrities showering praises on this heartfelt drama that was based on the life of IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma. However, the flip side is how accurate is the depiction of this journey from ebb to rise. The film shows how there are about lacs of UPSC aspirants and only 1,000 make it to the Final Cut.

Our own hero, Manoj, the role that Massey essays, fails to crack it twice and succeeds in his third attempt. The larger picture suggests alls well that ends well, but the ring side view only suggests that UPSC involves more rejections than selections. A running joke about the same from Aanand L Rai’s Raanjhanaa comes to mind. Also, from the time IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma cleared his examination to now, things and processes have changed and evolved, so aspirants seeking inspiration from this film may not exactly reap any benefits.

Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer Ananth Rupanagudi on the film

He wrote, “Regarding the #12thFailMovie, it’s reasonably well-made with certain ‘artistic liberties’ that slightly exaggerate the UPSC examination process and efforts. Yes, it requires a lot of effort, but generally, the interview panel members aren’t hostile and aren’t so judgmental.”

For the sake of cinematic liberties, the director has unquestionably crafted a rousing drama that has struck a chord, but to expect your journey to be a replica of Manoj Kumar Sharma is taking things a bit too far.

In its review, Firstpost wrote, “12th Fail does feel familiar, you do get a sense of seeing all this before to different people in different ways, situations, and circumstances. But how do you make something different about failure and the success that follows? And why even bother?”