Tale of Honesty in Bollywood: Subtly Strong Narrative of '12th Fail'
In the heart of India, nestled in the once notorious region of Chambal, a boy named Manoj Kumar Sharma dreams of breaking free from the shackles of poverty and systemic corruption. Born to a principled but poor clerk, Manoj's life is a testament to resilience and determination, a journey that unfolds in the biographical drama, "12th Fail."
The movie, based on Manoj's real-life story, chronicles his struggles after he and his classmates fail their Class 12 exams due to cheating being stopped by a strict new police officer, DSP Dushyant Singh. Despite this initial setback, Manoj chooses honesty, becoming the only student in his school to graduate without cheating.
Manoj's life in Delhi is challenging. He studies for six hours and works for 15 hours every day, all while dealing with slight biases during the UPSC interview because Hindi is his first language. His father is suspended from work after standing up to a corrupt officer, and his brother is arrested after a run-in with local corruption.
Yet, Manoj perseveres. He meets Shraddha Joshi, a doctor who resolves to enter the civil service to find the truth and make meaningful changes. On his journey, his bag is stolen, and the officer recruitment exams are cancelled. He is left with nothing, and befriends another man named Pritam Pandey.
DSP Singh listens, intervenes, and helps release Manoj's brother, leaving a lasting mark on Manoj. The acting in "12th Fail" is very good and realistic, especially by the actors who play Manoj and Officer Singh. The movie portrays how people break down when things get tough and criticizes India's harsh competitive exam system.
The main themes in the film include honesty and integrity, perseverance through hardship, the fight against systemic corruption, hope and aspiration, and friendship and mentorship. "12th Fail" offers a poignant portrayal of Manoj's transformation from relying on cheating to embracing hard work, highlighting the moral significance of honesty in overcoming adversity.
The movie concludes on a somber note, illustrating how mentorship and honesty have profoundly impacted Manoj's life. Manoj dreams of becoming an officer himself and sets out for a bigger city, carrying all of his grandmother's savings. Thus, "12th Fail" is a biographical drama about integrity and determination, vividly showing the journey of a boy from a poor region in Chambal to becoming a respected police officer based on true events.
- Manoj's dream of breaking free from poverty and systemic corruption transcends beyond the realms of Chambal, as his goals include education and self-development, aiming for a life of personal growth.
- Despite the hurdles in his journey, Manoj finds solace in entertainment such as movies and TV, finding inspiration in the characters who portray resilience and determination, like himself.
- As part of his lifelong learning, Manoj utilizes goal-setting as a tool to further his ambition of becoming an officer and making a difference in the society, similar to DSP Dushyant Singh.
- In his free time, Manoj also finds interest in sports and sports betting, using them as a means to unwind from the rigors of his life and explore a different aspect of entertainment.
- The movie "12th Fail" not only depicts Manoj's impressive journey but also advocates for learning, both in the academic sense and through life experiences, as key to achieving one's goals and overcoming adversity.
