By Don Aguiar
Mumbai, Feb 16, 2024: 12th Fail unfolds on the screen as a poignant biographical drama, bringing to life the real-life story of IPS (Indian Police Service) officer Manoj Kumar Sharma and IRS (Indian Revenue Service) officer Shraddha Joshi. It is based on the 2019 eponymous non-fiction book by Anurag Pathak.
It is a heart-warming tribute to resilience and determination by overcoming extreme poverty to become an IPS. A testament to the indomitable spirit of an earlier generation. It reminds us that setbacks can be stepping stones to success and that determination can overcome even the most daunting challenges.
The movie touches on these delicate topics of bribery, corruption, politics and it’s also about hard work, grit, love, tenacity and being a Good Samaritan. Most of us have reached where we are because of the people in our lives, who endlessly support us. When life gives you lemons, you make a lemonade. We all understand the clichéd phrase but very few of us actually do it.
The movie is an earnest story that speaks of the power to try and try again. After failing in all subjects except Hindi in the 12th standard, Sharma didn’t allow that to deter his dreams of clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams.
Growing up with meagre savings, Sharma resorted to odd jobs like driving a tempo and walking the dogs of affluent families to pool together the requisite tuition fees.
Sharma belongs to Chambal village where cheating in exams is a common thing. He is appearing for his 12th standard exams and eyeing a peon’s job. But a strict police officer Dushyant Singh arrives during the exams and stops the cheating process,
Sharma is unable to pass the examinations and starts to ride a passenger vehicle with brother Kamlesh. They both land in trouble with goons of a politician but the DSP comes to their aid. Inspired by the police officer’s honesty, Sharma starts considering him an idol and wants to become like him.
The following year he clears his 12th standard exams and dreams of becoming a DSP officer but his destiny has different plans which brings Manoj into the world of UPSC, one of the toughest exams in the world.
Simple story telling depicting a real story of an UPSC aspirant (and the likes), the struggles year after year, the battle of resilience, and at last the judgement day.
The story is a beacon of hope, inspiration, and enthusiasm that has the power to rekindle the spirits of millions of individuals seeking a ray of hope. If you carry dedication and purpose in your heart, this film stands as a testament to emulate that nothing is truly impossible.
This movie is a big inspiration for kids and future generation. It teaches them and us that life can be restarted multiple times and one can bounce back stronger. One should be resilient and determined to pursue Indian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Management or civil services examination exams to eventually become IAS or IPS or in IT or management.
The other option is to be directionless, easy going, lazy, opinionated with no education and no jobs.
Sharma and his wife Joshi are the true life heroes and they continue practising their philosophy of living a style of scrupulous integrity.
If India is to become a global power and the youth with determination can overcome daunting challenges, it will happen more rapidly if the youth and people ensure that the ideals of a secular democratic republic enshrined in the Indian Constitution are followed.