12th Fail (2023)

Shot from the movie

12th Fail 2023

7.2/10
Honesty shifts a man’s path in this earnest and well-made biopic

When everyone around you is cheating, the temptation to join in is tempting, especially if you’re not confident in your own abilities. 12th Fail is the story of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, and it’s a story about how one instance of honesty sets him on a path to become the same honest police officer that helped save his brother’s life. While it does take a fairly standard message, and the pace falters a bit as it goes on, the biopic depicts this from an understanding of how things are unfairly stacked against people like Manoj, but also with an understanding that the country needs more everyday people in their ranks. 12th Fail may be a familiar underdog story, but it’s lovely, well-made, and unironically sincere in its message to be honest, even when the odds are stacked against you.

Synopsis

Based on the true story of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, 12th Fail sheds limelight on fearlessly embracing the idea of restarting the academic journey despite the setbacks and challenges and reclaiming one's destiny at a place where millions of students attempt the world's toughest competitive exam: UPSC.

Storyline

Growing up in a bandit-run town, Manoj Kumar Sharma expected to pass his 12th grade exam, until newly transferred DSP Dushyant Singh arrests his school’s principal for schoolwide cheating. Because of this, and Singh’s help in freeing his brother from unjust arrest, Sharma aspires to become a DSP like Singh. Singh challenges him to do so without cheating at all.

TLDR

For those registered, good luck for your Civil Services Exam!

What stands out

The side characters add to the overall test-taking experience that Manoj can’t do by himself, and they’re pretty fleshed out as well. The one I appreciated was Gauri Bhaiya, who may not have passed the UPSC, but who decided to guide others through his tea shop.