If there’s one film that has been talked about relentlessly in recent times for its storyline and acting prowess, it’s “12th Fail.” Bagging one accolade after another and being recognised at an international level, this film has not only conquered the box office but has also bagged the top spot as the highest-rated Indian film of all time on IMDb. This cinematic masterpiece has also been submitted to the Oscars 2024 as an independent entry from India.
With a stellar IMDb score of 9.2, “12th Fail” surpassed Hollywood blockbusters from 2023, including the likes of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ (8.6), Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ (8.4), ‘Godzilla Minus One’ (8.4), and Kannada film ‘Kaiva‘ (8.2) – making these the Top 5. ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Vol. 3 (7.9), Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ (7.8), ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ (7.7), and Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ (6.9) were the close followers.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s movie stands as a testament to its universal appeal. And not just that, “12th Fail” secured the number one spot on IMDb’s Top 250 films of Indian Cinema. Among all films from around the world that have received at least 20,000 user votes, the Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar starrer has been rated the highest for the year 2023.
Also Read: Will “12th Fail” Pass For Oscars 2024? It Is Submitted As An Independent Entry
The Performance
“12th Fail” received immense love from the audience and the positive reception was also reflected in its box office collection. Released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada languages, the movie emerged as a sleeper hit, grossing over ₹52 crore (US$6.9 million) on a ₹20 crore (US$2.5 million) budget. Several big names from the industry also took notice of the marvellous film and applauded it.
Moreover, ‘12th Fail’ has also made its place in the Top 10 as Highest Rated Drama list of LetterBoxD 2023 Year in Review. The movie has also been selected as the closing film for the Macau Asia-Europe Young Cinema Film Festival. Vidhu Vinod Chopra will attend the screening of ‘12th Fail’ on January 11 in Macau. After its release on the OTT platform, Disney+ Hotstar, the movie has reached an even wider audience base which continues to garner love and appreciation.
The film’s success can be attributed not only to the compelling narrative but also to the stellar performances of the lead cast, especially Vikrant Massey, who breathes life into the character of Manoj Kumar Sharma. ’12th Fail’ is not merely a cinematic venture; it is a powerful testament to the human spirit which celebrates the resilience and determination that can overcome even the most adverse circumstances.
The Inspiration
The highly acclaimed movie centres on UPSC aspirants and draws from personal experiences. Based on the 2019 non-fiction book of the same name by Anurag Pathak, it tells the true story of Manoj Kumar Sharma, who rose from extreme poverty to become an officer in the Indian Police Service (IPS). The movie is based on the real-life hardships faced by millions of students who take the UPSC entrance exam.
Apart from showcasing the struggles associated with the actual exam, the movie also explores the many personal problems that aspiring students face both at home as well as in their personal relationships during this period. These issues cause a lot of emotional problems for the students, who more often than not, end up quitting or entering massive depression.
But at the same time, it goes beyond that one exam and encourages people to not lose heart in the face of failure and to restart. “12th Fail” touched and inspired many hearts. “My heart is full. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. When people walked out [of the theatre], they thanked us for making the film and that’s what matters most,” Vikrant Massey said in an interview.
What Is IMDb?
IMDb, which stands for the Internet Movie Database, is an online repository of all things films, television programs, video games, and streaming content. Their database includes details like cast, crew, plot summaries, release dates, trivia, and user ratings. IMDb is a widely used and authoritative source for information related to the entertainment industry.
Users can access the database for free to explore a vast collection of information about movies, TV shows, actors, and other related content. Additionally, IMDb offers user reviews and ratings, helping people make informed decisions about what to watch. The higher the rating, the more likely people are to watch the movie/show. And “12th Fail” topped those charts.
The fact that this cinematic brilliance has garnered immense love and appreciation not just from the country but also globally, goes to show the talent our Indian film industry possesses.
